Rio Startups

The city of Rio has 983 startups according to the methodology developed by the Secretariat for Economic Development, Innovation and Simplification. The data from the Annual List of Social Information (RAIS) released by the Ministry of Labor provide the number of companies and formal jobs in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Some of the main startups in Rio or that started in Rio are:

1. VTEX

An older company, VTEX was founded in 1999 and develops the e-commerce platform going by the same name, available as SaaS. The operation is global and among the clients we can name Walmart, Whirlpool and O Boticário.

2. Descomplica

The online pre-university course Descomplica was created in 2011, focusing on the National High School Examination (Enem). The startup has already received investments from several funds, such as Valar Ventures, 500 Startups and Valor Capital Group.

3. Passei Direto

Also in the edtech segment, Passei Direto was created to help university students. There you can share summaries, study materials and ask questions. Today, the website has expanded and can also be used by students of other degrees.

4. Volanty

Volanty is a startup whose goal is to facilitate the purchase and sale of used vehicles. Created in 2017, the platform brings together sellers and buyers and offers a one-year warranty for the traded vehicle. In 2019, Volanty received investments from Softbank and the Argentine fund Kaszek.

5. Hotel Urbano

The online travel agency Hotel Urbano is another highlight among Brazilian startups. Founded in 2011, it focuses on daily rate sales in hotels, allowing installments and free cancellation up to one day prior to the check-in date.

6. BizCapital

BizCapital offers online loans for small and medium-sized companies in an uncomplicated way, in the amount of up to 150 thousand Brazilian Reais, with an interest of 1.99% per month, which can be paid in up to 24-monthly installments. The objective is to allow fast, transparent and 100% digital transactions.

7. Nibo

Focused on financial management, Nibo allows you to monitor cash flow, organize accounts payable, receivable and automate collection processes, in an integrated manner with the accountant. The idea has already earned the startup some rounds of investment, such as the 20 million received from Vostok Emerging Finance, a global fund focused on fintechs.

8. Zoop

Zoop facilitates integration of companies with the financial and regulatory system of the payment chain. Therefore, businesses such as marketplaces, B2B and technology companies become fintechs. The company operates in a white label format, allowing partner businesses to commercially take advantage of the solutions offered.

9. Stone

Stone is a Brazilian fintech of payment methods made using its multi-flag card-swipe services ran through card machines, processors of transactions made using credit, debit and voucher cards.