Marco Zero selects 10 initiatives from among 300 entries
Planeta COPPE / Business Incubator / Innovation Ecosystem / News
Date: 09/09/2026

After receiving 300 applications, the Technology-Based Social Innovation Program announces the ten initiatives selected for its first cycle
On September 18, the Coppe/UFRJ Business Incubator will host the official launch of the Marco Zero Program—Technology-Based Social Innovation. Created to support initiatives that use science, technology, and innovation to address social and regional challenges, the program has reached the final selection stage after receiving 300 applications. The number of interested parties highlights the demand for initiatives capable of putting knowledge and technology to work for social transformation and the development of solutions to societal challenges.
During the event, the ten initiatives selected for the program’s first cycle will be presented. According to Rebeca Amaral, Marco Zero’s Social Innovation Coordinator, the goal is to bring together different actors from the innovation ecosystem to strengthen projects that develop and apply technologies aimed at social transformation.
The program includes partners such as Finep and marks a new area of focus for the COPPE Incubator, expanding its innovation ecosystem to include initiatives that combine technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
The program will feature the roundtable discussion “Technology-Based Social Innovation: Challenges and Opportunities,” which will bring together experts in the field of Social Technology, with Rebeca Amaral serving as moderator.
The event will take place at Inovateca in the UFRJ Technology Park. To participate, you must register via Sympla.
Check who’s participating
Technology-Based Social Innovation: challenges and opportunities
The roundtable will bring together experts from different sectors to discuss the paths, challenges, and opportunities of technology-based social innovation:
- Luane Macedo — Undersecretary of Social Technologies for the City of Rio de Janeiro
- Felipe Addor — Director of Research at Nides/UFRJ
- Márcia Thimoteo — Executive Director and Vice President of ABMEN
- Carolina Müller — Integrated Manager of the Pista Program, implemented by UNDP
Moderator: Rebeca Amaral, Social Innovation Coordinator at Marco Zero.
