ACATE Observatory
ACATE Observatory is an environment that gathers data and information about the national technology sector, with a special focus on the State of SC.
The Panorama provides an overview of the main sectoral indicators and monitors their evolution in the various states of Brazil.
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Evolution of revenue in the technology sector
Santa Catarina’s technology sector has strengthened its position as the country's sixth-largest hub, generating a total of R$ 47.9 billion in revenue. With 12.7% growth over the past year, the state's technology sector has maintained an outstanding performance on the national stage.
This result keeps the state highly competitive, with a margin of approximately R$ 130 million over Rio Grande do Sul.
This revenue figure represents 8% of the state's GDP—one of the highest shares for the sector at the state level, trailing only Amazonas and São Paulo. The technology sector's contribution to the state's GDP rose by 0.25 percentage points over the last year.
Overview of the SC Technology Sector
ACATE Observatory
The history of Santa Catarina's technology sector
In 1986, the year ACATE was founded, the Santa Catarina technology sector had around 100 companies and 1,500 professionals working in technology solutions.
Since then, the technology sector has experienced robust growth. Between 2007 and 2022, the number of employees in the sector grew by more than 300%, a rate far higher than the state's average growth rate of 57% and that of other traditional sectors of the Santa Catarina economy, such as construction (92%), tourism (71%), and industry (32%).
Technology sector hubs
With around 34.2 thousand companies, the state of Santa Catarina is the 6th largest state hub in the sector, hosting 5.2% of the sector's companies in Brazil.
The capital Florianópolis is one of the main responsible for this performance, positioning itself as the 10th city with the largest number of companies in the technology sector in Brazil.
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Infrastructure
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Technology
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Energy
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Logistics
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Construction and architecture
ACATE Verticals
Evolution of companies in the technology sector in Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina is the state with the highest growth rate (+6.2%), followed by Espírito Santo (+4.5%) and Amapá (+4.4%).
The total number of technology companies in Brazil fell 0.3%. 15 states saw a decline in the total number of companies during the period, but the declines in the states of São Paulo (-0.4%), Rio de Janeiro (-4.49%) and Rio Grande do Sul (-1.26%) stand out.
102,000 employees in the technology sector in Santa Catarina
The technology hub of Santa Catarina has a high degree of regional and sectoral diversification. Of the total number of employees in the sector, 54,500 are from Greater Florianópolis, which has a strong tradition in software development. Meanwhile, in other regions, such as the Itajaí Valley (17,000) and the Northern region of Santa Catarina (15,500), there is a more significant concentration in data processing and internet services.
Clients
2nd most competitive state in Brazil
State Competitiveness Ranking
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2nd most innovative state in Brazil
IBID Innovation and Development Ranking
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The history of Santa Catarina's technology sector
In 1986, the year ACATE was founded, the Santa Catarina technology sector had around 100 companies and 1,500 professionals working in technology solutions.
Since then, the technology sector has experienced robust growth. Between 2007 and 2022, the number of employees in the sector grew by more than 300%, a rate far higher than the state's average growth rate of 57% and that of other traditional sectors of the Santa Catarina economy, such as construction (92%), tourism (71%), and industry (32%).
Innovation and Development Index
With a score of 0.449, the state came in second only to São Paulo.
Santa Catarina ranks second in institutions, infrastructure, and economy, and third in knowledge, technology, and the creative economy.
Human Capital and Business are the most challenging areas, with SC ranking 6th.
The history of Santa Catarina's technology sector
In 1986, the year ACATE was founded, the Santa Catarina technology sector had around 100 companies and 1,500 professionals working in technology solutions.
Since then, the technology sector has experienced robust growth. Between 2007 and 2022, the number of employees in the sector grew by more than 300%, a rate far higher than the state's average growth rate of 57% and that of other traditional sectors of the Santa Catarina economy, such as construction (92%), tourism (71%), and industry (32%).
Growth of the technology sector
378% increase in total employment in 18 years.
Considering the initial date of 2007, Santa Catarina continues to consolidate itself as a technology hub, with a growing base of professionals driving the sector.
Technology sector's share of GDP
The technology sector's revenue of R$47.9 billion represents approximately 8% of all production in the state of Santa Catarina.
This sector's participation in the state's economy is greater than in the South Region and higher than most other Brazilian states, behind only the states of Amazonas and São Paulo.
The national average (6.9%) is the result of the total revenue of the technology sector in Brazil, R$870 billion, divided by Brazil's GDP in 2025, of approximately R$12.5 trillion.
The history of Santa Catarina's technology sector
In 1986, the year ACATE was founded, the Santa Catarina technology sector had around 100 companies and 1,500 professionals working in technology solutions.
Since then, the technology sector has experienced robust growth. Between 2007 and 2022, the number of employees in the sector grew by more than 300%, a rate far higher than the state's average growth rate of 57% and that of other traditional sectors of the Santa Catarina economy, such as construction (92%), tourism (71%), and industry (32%).
State Competitiveness Ranking
The state leads in Public Safety and Human Capital, demonstrating exemplary performance in these pillars.
It also stands out in Social Sustainability, Innovation and Market Potential, occupying the 2nd and 3rd positions in each of these pillars.