Tech Roundup: Brazilian startup creates ‘ESG Tinder’

This week: Brazilian startup creates matchmaking platform for companies and ESG initiatives. Are the best months for Latin-American startups already behind us? Government allocates millions in robotic kits to schools without internet access. 

Brazilian startup creates matchmaking platform for companies and ESG initiatives

A Brazilian startup wants to show that it is possible to combine open innovation, initiatives that already work with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices, and the most diverse players in the corporate world who want to take the next step towards sustainability and preservation of native cultures.

Why it matters. A report by British investment management firm Janus Henderson points out that international investors are very interested in green bonds and other ESG-related financial instruments in Brazil, but that both the government and the country’s private sector are taking too long to capitalize on the demand, offering few practical initiatives in the area.

Making connections. Revolução ESG aims to solve this problem. Created by startup Pangeia, which begain in 2016 as an e-commerce platform for sustainable products, the open and collaborative platform aims to promote networking and facilitate partnerships between large corporations, NGOs, consultancy firms, and ESG startups and leaders.

• “Our role is to serve as the matchmaker between companies and ESG actions that have already been underway in practice for a long time in Brazil,” said Daniel Carocha, Pangeia’s partner and innovation director, to The Brazilian Report.

How does it work? For large corporations that are interested in connecting with companies in the third sector so as to put their sustainability plans into practice, the use of the platform is based on a paid membership. 

• Users include big names such as Via — a holding company for famous retail brands in Brazil —, the satellite communications company Viasat, the climate-tech Moss, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
• A second group, from which no fee is charged, is made up of people engaged with environmental and social causes as well as...