The local public sector LOCAL and the construction of an innovation scene for agtechs in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais (Brazil)

Abstract

In the current period, companies such as agtechs (startups focused on agribusiness) have become one of the most significant expressions of the productive consumption of the modern agribusiness. Characteristics of contemporary times, these companies integrate innovation and technology, follow location logics, and emerge as important economic agents. The aim of this study is to evaluate how the local government mobilizes efforts to attract startups, particularly agtechs, using an empirical example from the Brazilian territory: the municipality of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais (Brazil). The Uberlândia city government, under different administrations, has articulated a set of actions aimed at promoting strategies and crafting an image capable of consolidating an innovation and entrepreneurship scene favorable to the emergence and support of startups. Drawing bibliographic references and empirical data, the study examines a set of local public actions (municipal government), articulated with traditional and updated institutions in the context of innovation, creating favorable conditions for attracting this type of agent and investment to the municipality.