Effectiveness of public policies supporting innovative entrepreneurship
an analysis in light of the Centelha Program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59901/cz8y6z44Keywords:
Innovative Entrepreneurship, Public Policies, Centelha ProgramAbstract
The article analyzes the effectiveness of the Centelha Program in the State of Rio de Janeiro as a public policy to support innovative entrepreneurship. Based on the concept of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EE), the study highlights that effective policies must consider the startup life cycle stages and the territorial and socioeconomic inequalities of local ecosystems. Centelha, created by the MCTI, FINEP, and partners, aims to foster innovative ideas in the early stages, especially in underrepresented regions and groups. The analysis shows that although the program initially achieved territorial reach and mobilized diverse profiles, subsequent stages saw increasing concentration in the capital, reduced racial and gender diversity, greater approval of more mature projects, and proponents with formal education at the postgraduate level. It is concluded that Centelha reinforced preexisting inequalities, showing low effectiveness in democratizing innovative entrepreneurship. The article suggests improving the program's design through regional metrics, inclusive scoring systems, and stronger support actions in the early stages to increase access for underrepresented groups and municipalities outside the capital. The study underscores the importance of policies adapted to local contexts and continuous evaluations to ensure greater equity and effectiveness in fostering innovative entrepreneurship.
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