STARTUP SCHOOL
Link Ventures' incubation program: from idea to a real company in about 100 days. Link takes no equity.
INCUBATION · LINK VENTURES
What Startup School is
The place where Link students turn an idea into a business that exists in the real world: a real problem, a solution that delivers value and customers willing to pay for it. There are no exams or formal deliverables here, the market is the judge. You get method, structure and mentors to test fast and decide with evidence whether to keep going, adjust or stop.
01
Who it is for
Link School of Business students, undergraduate or MBA, with an idea to validate. Outside partners are welcome as long as you keep a relevant stake. The idea does not need to be finished, but it needs a direction.
02
Who it is not for
People who only want theory, a place to work, or who will not go out and talk to real customers. If that excites you rather than scares you, this is your program.
03
How much to commit
No mandatory hours. Outside class, the more time you give the business, the further it goes. Undergraduate and MBA students live the same experience: results depend on dedication.
How it works
Two phases that end at Demo Day. Before kick-off, open pre-work workshops at Link Garage help you organize territory, market, customer hypotheses and the problem you want to solve.
Stress-testing the idea
PHASE 1 · 3 WEEKS
Week by week you break down the idea, interview real customers, find your early adopter, shape a value proposition and build a prototype, ending at Pitch Day. To advance, show a validated problem, a clear first customer and a tested prototype.
Validation and traction
PHASE 2 · 8 WEEKS
Two-week sprints, each with its own focus: testing the MVP, business model and pricing, real sales, then iteration. Every sprint mixes themed workshops, expert roundtables, office hours and time with the community.
Demo Day
THE FINAL STAGE
Selected startups get intensive coaching and pitch to investors, partners and the whole Link ecosystem. Standout teams may be invited to Link Vector, which invests R$ 100k for 5% equity.
How to get in
Applications open each semester when classes start: fill in the form and send a short team video. We look at five things: how the team complements each other, real availability, project maturity, business potential and a healthy mix of veterans and first-timers.
Cycle 2026.2: applications in August · kick-off on August 17 · Phase 1 from August 25 · Demo Day in December