Telecom in Brazil Inspiring Startups Analysis¶
Inspiring Startups¶
Startups are playing a role in inspiring changes and new business models within the Brazilian telecommunications value chain, primarily by introducing innovative solutions and driving diversification strategies, particularly on the part of incumbent operators.
While the provided text does not extensively detail individual startup profiles beyond the context of investment, it highlights how major players are leveraging relationships with startups to influence different layers of the value chain. A key example is Vivo (Telefônica Brasil), which actively engages with startups through its Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) arms, Wayra Brasil (for early-stage companies) and Vivo Ventures (for more mature companies). This engagement is a strategic approach for Vivo to generate new revenue streams, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce costs by integrating innovative solutions developed by these startups. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 2]
Vivo's CVC initiatives target startups operating in areas such as education, energy, health, financial services (fintechs), smart home technologies, and entertainment. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 2] The collaboration with startups connected to Wayra Brasil and Vivo Ventures resulted in R$ 69 million in contracts in the first half of 2024, and Vivo's overall engagement generated R$ 130 million in service contracts with startups in 2024, a 30% increase from 2023. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 18, 2] Plans to invest further in fintechs in 2025 indicate a continued focus on leveraging startups to expand into financial services. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 19]
In addition to Vivo's explicit CVC focus on startups, the provided text mentions that startups are generally present as application developers in the Application layer of the value chain, contributing to the vast ecosystem of digital content and online services. [Value Chain Analysis, Commercial Relationships] While not explicitly labeled "startups" throughout the text's analysis of disruptive players, the rapid growth and consolidation of Regional Internet Service Providers (ISPs), often backed by private equity (like Alares and Brasil TecPar), and the emergence of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are also indicative of newer, agile companies influencing the Network and Connectivity layers, although they are primarily described as established companies or specific types of operators in the provided context rather than "startups" in the initial phase. [Value Chain Analysis, New Entrants and Disruptors Analysis, M&A Movements Analysis, Investment and VC Movements Analysis] The interest from entities like 87Labs in financing fintechs also suggests an environment where investment is available for startups in specific digital service areas relevant to the telecom ecosystem. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis]
Overall, the primary way startups are described as inspiring change in the provided text is through their role as sources of innovation and new digital services, particularly as targets for corporate investment from incumbents seeking to diversify and enhance their offerings.
Table of potential impact of the startups¶
Based on the provided text, the potential impact of startups is most clearly articulated through the strategic investments made by operators like Vivo in specific areas:
| Startup Focus Area (driven by CVC/Investment) | Value Chain Layer(s) Primarily Impacted | Potential Impact on the Value Chain |
|---|---|---|
| Fintech (Financial Technologies) | Navigation & Middleware, Application, Customers | Introduction of new digital payment systems, financial services, and platforms integrated with telecom offerings. Creates new revenue streams for operators through partnerships or direct service provision. Enhances customer value proposition by offering integrated financial tools. Potential disruption to traditional banking services delivered via telecom networks. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 2, 19] |
| Healthtech (Healthcare Technologies) | Application, Customers | Development of digital health services, telemedicine applications, and remote patient monitoring solutions accessible via telecom networks. Increases the utility and value of connectivity for health-related purposes. Creates potential new service offerings for operators or partners. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 2] |
| Edtech (Educational Technologies) | Application, Customers | Provision of online learning platforms, educational content, and remote education tools that rely on robust connectivity. Drives demand for reliable broadband access. Creates potential for bundled educational services with connectivity packages. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 2] |
| Smart Home Technologies | Application, Connectivity (IoT/M2M), Customers | Development of applications and platforms for managing connected devices and smart home ecosystems. Drives demand for M2M/IoT connectivity. Creates opportunities for operators to offer smart home installation, management, and bundled service packages. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 2] |
| Entertainment (beyond traditional OTT) | Application, Customers | Introduction of new digital entertainment content, platforms, or gaming services. Increases data consumption on networks. Opportunities for operators to partner or integrate services, potentially creating new revenue share models or bundles. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 2] |
| Operational Efficiency/Cost Reduction Solutions | Equipment & Software, Network, Connectivity, Cross-layer (Operations) | Development of software and solutions (e.g., using AI) to optimize network performance, automate processes, and reduce operational costs. Improves the efficiency and profitability of the core telecom business. Impacts the foundational and operational layers. [Investment and VC Movements Analysis, 2] |
| General Application Developers | Application, Customers | Continually enrich the ecosystem of digital services and content available to end-users, driving demand for underlying network connectivity. Introduce innovative functionalities and user experiences. [Value Chain Analysis, Commercial Relationships] |
References¶
- Brazil | Investimento dos bancos em tecnologia cresce 179% em cinco anos. Telecom perde espaço | DPL News. https://www.dplnews.com/brasil-investimento-dos-bancos-em-tecnologia-cresce-179-em-cinco-anos-telecom-perde-espaco/
- Venture Capital: Vivo aposta em serviços ... - Brazil Economy. https://brazileconomy.com.br/noticias/venture-capital-vivo-aposta-em-servicos-que-vao-alem-da-conexao/
- 87Labs investe em software e quer financiar fintechs no Brasil ainda em 2025. https://itforum.com.br/noticias/87labs-investe-em-software-e-quer-financiar-fintechs-no-brasil-ainda-em-2025/
- Vivo investiu R$ 130 milhões em startups e mira IA em 2025 - Estadão. https://sumatec.net/vivo-investiu-r-130-milhoes-em-startups-e-mira-ia-em-2025-estadao/
- O que é e como mapear a cadeia de valor organizacional. https://www.siteware.com.br/blog/gestao-estrategica/cadeia-de-valor/
- Telecom: o que é? Saiba tudo sobre o setor de telecomunicações. - Navita. https://www.navita.com.br/blog/telecom/setor-de-telecom/
- O Impacto da Convergência de Indústrias na Configuração da Cadeia de Valor em Empresas na Indústria de Telecomunicações no Brasil: um estudo de caso | FGV EAESP Pesquisa e Publicações. https://rdpd.fgv.br/node/65791
- Inovação na cadeia de valor em serviços : aplicação da curva da riqueza em empresas do setor de telecomunicações - RDBU. https://rdbu.unb.br/handle/10482/31555
- Cadeia Produtiva da Indústria da Informação do DF - SINFOR/DF. http://www.sinfor.org.br/site/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/cadeia-produtiva-da-industria-da-informacao-do-distrito-federal.pdf
- Panorama de Telecom no Brasil - teleco.com.br. https://www.teleco.com.br/panobr.asp
- Reestruturação das telecomunicacões no Brasil: uma re(visão) das estratégias de gestão da produção e das relações de trabalho na cadeia produtiva (estudo de caso da telefonia fixa em São Paulo. https://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/8/8133/tde-07102004-162156/publico/SirleiMarciaDeOliveira.pdf
- How 2 Brazilian ISPs are doubling down on M&As and raising capital - BNamericas. https://www.bnamericas.com/en/analysis/how-2-brazilian-isps-are-doubling-down-on-mas-and-raising-capital