Beginning April 5, entrepreneurs from all over Brazil will be able to sign up in Braskem's acceleration program, which seeks innovative solutions based on chemistry and plastics: Braskem Labs. The program, which is in its third edition, is an initiative by Braskem, the largest petrochemical company in the Americas, in partnership with ACE, considered the Best Startup Accelerator in Latin America by Latam Founders.

The aim of the program is to accelerate the growth of businesses that offer innovative solutions based on chemistry and plastics with a relevant social impact. This year, 12 vacancies will be available, and we will keep two in a special category aimed at projects that fight the Aedes aegypti mosquito. In this category, the solution presented is not required to have synergy with plastics or chemistry. Selection criteria include project innovation, market potential, profile of the entrepreneur and the team involved, business model, and socio-environmental impact.

"Braskem Labs is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain more knowledge and develop their own business, with access to high-quality activities and mentors. The program has already proven its expertise by assisting small businesses in the development of new business relationships and definition of strategies for the future," said Luiz Gustavo Ortega, Head of Sustainable Development at Braskem.

For a period of four months, the 12 selected companies will received customized training according to their greatest difficulties, including individual and collective mentoring with Braskem executives and ACE specialists, exclusive content, and immersion at a Braskem unit in Brazil. Participants will be able to discuss topics such as sales, finance, and team management, among other issues of relevance to the entrepreneurs.

At the end of the program, each entrepreneur will make a pitch - a presentation seeking to attract investors or customers - of their business to an audience of executives, investors, partners and the press at the Demo Day, the closing event for Braskem Labs in São Paulo.

Since 2015, 31 companies have participated in Braskem Labs, out of 350 applications. As part of the results of the previous edition, the program generated effective business for more than half of the participants.

The sign-up process for Braskem Labs can be done until May 14, at www.braskemlabs.com.br . 

About Braskem
Braskem is the largest manufacturer of thermoplastic resins in the Americas, with an annual output of over 20 million metric tons, including the production of other basic chemical and petrochemical products, with an annual revenue of R$54 billion. With the aim of improving the lives of people, creating sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics, Braskem is present in over 70 countries, with 8,000 members, and operates 41 industrial units located in Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Mexico - the latter in partnership with the Mexico-based company Idesa.

About ACE
ACE was considered the Best Startup Accelerator in Latin America by Latam Founders and acts as a complete innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs, investors, and large companies. It offers an acceleration program with investment, mentoring, networking and a structured methodology especially for each stage of the entrepreneur's journey. Founded as Aceleratech in 2012, in Brazil, ACE has already accelerated over 100 startups in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and Goiânia, and presents the milestone of eight exits (startups sales).