The sign-up period of the fourth edition of Braskem Labs Scale, Braskem's acceleration program for entrepreneurs, will be closed on Saturday, March 31. This year, in addition to the search for companies that use chemistry or plastics in sustainable and innovative solutions, there is also a special category for businesses that reduce food waste/loss.

Those interested in participating should register their companies at www.braskemlabs.com by this deadline. Selection criteria include innovation, market potential, the profile of the entrepreneur, and the team involved, business model, and socio-environmental impact.

Following the evaluation of the applications, a board will select up to 12 companies for four months of customized training according to their main difficulties, including individual and collective mentoring with Braskem executives and experts from ACE, a startup investment and corporate innovation company elected for three consecutive times as the best accelerator in Latin America. The program will be completed on a Demo Day, when participants will be able to showcase their solutions to a group of entrepreneurs, investors, investment banks, and other market players.

Created in 2015, Braskem Labs Scale has trained 41 entrepreneurs from across Brazil and generated more than 70 relevant business connections. With a NPS (Net Promoter Score) of 100 in the 2017 edition, the assessment of the participants is unanimous: the initiative has contributed to the growth of their business. Considering last year's edition alone, 60% of the companies received investment or are in advanced conversations.

About Braskem
With a global, human-oriented vision of the future, Braskem's 8,000 members strive to improve people's lives by creating sustainable solutions in chemistry and plastics. It is the largest resin producer in the Americas, with an annual output of 20 million metric tons, including basic chemicals and petrochemicals, and R$55 billion in revenue in 2016. It exports to Customers in approximately 100 countries and operates 41 industrial units, located in Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Mexico - the latter in partnership with Mexico-based company Idesa.

About ACE
ACE is a startup investment and corporate innovation company. It was elected for three consecutive times as the Best Startup Accelerator in Latin America by Latam Founders. For startups, it offers mentoring, investment, and a unique acceleration method. For large companies, it acts in the resolution of innovation dilemmas with connection projects with startups and incorporation of the entrepreneurial mindset in its daily activities. Founded as Aceleratech in 2012 in Brazil, ACE has already accelerated over 170 startups in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba and Goiânia, and presents the milestone of eight exits (startups sales).