Von Braun Venture Builder
The Perfect Partner to Enable Innovation Projects in Brazil.
Do laboratório ao mercado, do capital à escala. O Von Braun Labs (VBL) oferece um ecossistema completo de engenharia, investimento e conexões para transformar sua tecnologia em um negócio de sucesso.
Startup or Entrepreneur
Looking to develop or scale my technological innovation
Foreign Company
Looking to enter and establish itself in the Brazilian market
Company or Corporation
Seeks open innovation solutions and R&D outsourcing
Investor
Seeking to co-invest in high-potential, cutting-edge technology companies
Our vision of the innovation ecosystem…
Our general objectives
To actively collaborate in transforming innovative technologies and scientific research, especially deep tech, into viable and scalable businesses, from the embryonic stage to formalization and market traction, driving economic and social progress through disruptive innovation.
Identify and structure deep tech ventures: Transform innovative technologies and scientific research into viable companies, from the early stages (R&D and proof of concept) to the formalization of real businesses through complementary investments focused on technical and business understanding, as well as access to advanced prototyping and manufacturing facilities.
Mitigate inherent risks: Reduce the high technological risks and uncertainty associated with deep tech development by validating feasibility and scalability.
Bridge the funding gap: Address the “valley of death” by providing capital and strategic support (smart money) to projects positioned between academic research and traditional venture capital investment.
Compensate for the lack of entrepreneurial mindset: Support scientists and researchers—who often lack experience in business, management, and fundraising—by providing expertise and resources through support services and training programs.
Facilitate the transition from lab to market: Convert laboratory technologies into marketable products or services by assisting with engineering, design, usability testing, and regulatory compliance.
Build multidisciplinary teams: Help form teams that combine science and engineering talent with business, management, and market development skills, leveraging both internal HR structures and an international network of strategic partners.
Define and validate business models: Identify product–market fit for complex technologies and support the definition and validation of sustainable business models.
Manage and protect intellectual property (IP): Provide support for the protection and effective management of intellectual property, which is crucial for deep tech ventures.
Support regulation and compliance: Assist with approval processes and rigorous testing required in highly regulated sectors.
Promote scale and growth: Support the scalability of production, as well as the sales and marketing of complex deep tech solutions.
Ensure access to growth capital: Help attract funding rounds needed to scale deep tech ventures, which typically require larger investments and investors with a long-term risk appetite.
Maintain technological leadership: Encourage continuous investment in R&D to ensure that deep tech companies maintain their competitive advantage.
Strengthen the innovation ecosystem: Contribute to building a robust ecosystem that fosters innovation and facilitates technology transfer from science and technology institutions (STIs) to the market.
Artificial Intelligence
Blockchain / NFTs
Semiconductors
Energy
Industry 4.0
Health
ESG
Agribusiness
Education
Value Proposition
The [vb]² project delivers the following value proposition to its clients/target audience
Technological Acceleration and Infrastructure (Tech & Dev)
Focus on reducing technological risk and enabling product viability.
Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure: Provision of high-level laboratories and equipment for global validation and development of the business.
Technological risk mitigation: Ensuring excellence in R&D execution so that deep tech technologies are developed with robustness and reliability.
Techlabs for validation: Strategic recruitment and selection of startups through practical labs focused on Proofs of Concept (PoCs) and MVP development.
Comprehensive R&D support (CAPEX): Strong technical and methodological support for research and development of deep tech solutions.
Technological infrastructure: Provision of advanced technological infrastructure to support project development and validation, including:
Specialized tools for semiconductor device design, when required.
Semiconductor foundries that enable prototyping, including advanced nodes (7nm), located in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Electronic Contract Manufacturers with specialized technical support in Design for Manufacturing, focused on prototyping and pilot-batch or scaled production in Brazil and Asia.
Testing and validation environments in partnership with large multinational corporations from the United States and Europe, operating in real-world environments in Brazil.
Laboratories dedicated to integration and testing, connected to complementary facilities that support development with the required certifications.
Technological and market expertise: Experience not only in research and development of technological solutions, but also in structuring complete solutions, including:
Development of derived hardware products (equipment).
Development and implementation of associated cloud systems, including data services and AI solutions that add value to hardware developments.
Partnerships with large companies to integrate innovations with existing market solutions, enabling effective market adoption.
Deployment of real field operations for MVPs and commercial operations that support and validate business plan assumptions during investment phases (Venture Building → Angel Funding → Venture Capital).
Architecture of funding sources: Access to funding structures across the United States, Europe, and Brazil, helping significantly reduce risks during the early TRL stages of technology development.
Funding and Financial Leverage (Smart Money)
Focus on making innovation financially viable and increasing business value.
Non-reimbursable co-investment: Financial support for R&D and innovation (RD&I) projects, covering at least 50% of project costs through non-repayable capital from the [vb]² program.
Capital for market validation: Public and private investments directed toward the development of Proofs of Concept (PoCs) and MVPs in collaboration with large corporations (early adopters).
Valuation leverage: Direct increase in startup market value (valuation), driven by the capital invested and the credibility provided by the program’s endorsement.
Portfolio value growth for partners: Expansion of the valuation of startups within the portfolios of associated stakeholders, generating tangible returns for the ecosystem.
Ecosystem and Market Access (Go-to-Market & Network)
Focus on traction, sales, and strategic connections.
Corporate matchmaking: Direct connections with potential clients, large corporations, and global markets.
Technology partner network: Integration into a qualified network of ecosystem partners within [vb]² for collaboration and co-development.
Access to the Deep Tech Hub: Inclusion in an exclusive community of advanced technology-based startups.
Qualified deal flow generation: Structured sourcing of new clients and deep tech startups for the ecosystem.
Facilities as a competitive advantage: The benefits of [vb]² can be offered by stakeholders to their own members, adding value to their offerings.
Corporate Structuring and Smart Money (Venture Support)
Focus on preparing the startup to scale safely.
World-class mentorship: Strengthening businesses through connections, mentorship, and consulting with experienced professionals from the global high-tech market.
Operational support (OPEX): Assistance in structuring and optimizing the startup’s day-to-day operations.
Strategic back-office: Specialized support in key areas essential for sustainable growth:
Legal: Regulatory and contractual security.
Accounting: Compliance and financial intelligence.
Human Resources: Attraction and management of high-performance talent.
Marketing and Communications: Brand positioning and market visibility.
Business and Market Strategy: B2B sales and negotiation strategies.
