16
Active unicorns
Global average 11; regional average 4.
Startup Genome · 2026
Why São Paulo
The essentials, with sources.
A minimal set of verified figures that describe the scale and shape of São Paulo's startup ecosystem. Every number links to its original publisher.
US$55B
Ecosystem value (H2 2023–2025)
Startup Genome · 2026
#37
Global startup ecosystem — #1 in Latin America
Startup Genome · 2026
USP #1
Top university in Latin America
Universidade de São Paulo leads Latin America; Unicamp and Unesp also rank in the global top tier.
QS · 2026
AI hub
Leading AI & Big Data ecosystem in Latin America
GSER 2026 highlights AI & Big Data and Fintech as São Paulo's strongest subsectors.
Startup Genome · 2026
Largest
Concentration of science & technology parks in Brazil
São Paulo State hosts the largest network of science parks, incubators and innovation environments in the country.
ANPROTEC · 2023
~11.45M
Inhabitants — São Paulo (city)
Largest city in the Southern Hemisphere by population.
IBGE · 2022
~44.4M
Inhabitants — São Paulo State
About one in five Brazilians lives in São Paulo State.
IBGE · 2022
Figures are drawn from public reports and updated as new editions are published. If you cannot verify a number here against its cited source, treat it as an error and let us know.