Expo Favela Innovation Brasil 2025 announces national winners

The national edition of Expo Favela Innovation Brasil gathered 70 entrepreneurs and revealed the top 10 projects in the country.

Entrepreneurship and innovation on stage

Expo Favela Innovation Brasil, the country’s main event for entrepreneurship from favelas, held its national edition on November 29 and 30, 2025, at Expo Center Norte in São Paulo. Organized by Favela Holding, promoted by CUFA (Central Única das Favelas), and produced by InFavela, the fair brought together more than 70 entrepreneurs from 14 states and attracted around 25,000 visitors over two days.

The highlight was the announcement of the Top 10 Entrepreneurs of Brazil, selected after a rigorous evaluation of social impact, scalability, and innovation level.

Top 10 Entrepreneurs of Brazil

Salcity – Bahia; Pele na Tela – Rio de Janeiro; i9Nursing – Piauí; Bia Gomes Educação Sexual – Minas Gerais; SDN Reciclando – Rio Grande do Sul; +1Code – São Paulo; Turiarte – Pará; Diela – Mato Grosso; Sítio Cocos – Paraíba; Fala Comigo – Amazonas.

The ten winners were awarded a spot on a reality show to be broadcast nationwide on TV Globo, expanding their visibility and opportunities.

“Expo Favela Innovation has transcended the concept of a fair. It has become a showcase of market intelligence and disruptive talents flourishing in favelas. Our mission is to give these entrepreneurs the visibility and support needed to accelerate their businesses,” said Celso Athayde, event creator and CEO of Favela Holding.

In addition to the competition, the event featured conferences with innovation and cultural leaders, art collectives, theater and dance performances, 3×3 basketball games, and dedicated spaces for beauty, literature, games, and creative economy from the favelas.

“Each edition of Expo Favela Innovation represents a leap forward. What began as a dream has become a reality that creates value and transforms thousands of lives,” said Athayde.

Partnerships and organization

Expo Favela Innovation Brasil 2025 was organized by Favela Holding in partnership with CUFA and InFavela, and carried out with the support of Brazil’s Ministry of Culture, the Federal Government, and UNESCO. Sponsors included Sebrae (Master), Steck (Diamond), Favela Seguros, Vai Voando, VR (Gold), R1 (Silver), Banco do Brasil, Caixa, and Cidade Center Norte (Bronze), with institutional support from the City of São Paulo and the Rouanet Law.

Photo: blade.fotografia