Cite has state-of-the-art laboratories focused on Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things (IoT), energy, mobility, and advanced manufacturing, as well as a startup incubator and accelerator.
Santo André, November 25, 2025 – On Tuesday (the 25th), the city of Santo André achieved one of the most important milestones in its development and innovation policy: the CITE (Center for Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship), which will now serve as the headquarters of the Technology Park. This state-of-the-art facility solidifies the municipality’s position as a leader in innovation, applied research, and entrepreneurship.
“Santo André was the cradle of São Paulo’s industrialization, and now we’re taking a giant leap forward that will be remembered for decades to come. Now is the time for the Internet of Things, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence. We’re going to bring state-of-the-art laboratories to Cite, creating more jobs, fostering development, and elevating our city’s profile,” says Mayor Gilvan Ferreira.
Housed in a fully renovated historic building, the Innovation Center offers 8,000 square meters of floor space designed to bring together startups, universities, research centers, and companies from various sectors. The facility will serve as the hub of the Santo André Technology Park, which has been operating since 2019 as a strategic innovation network involving government agencies, educational institutions, and the private sector.
The total investment was R$ 58.7 million, of which R$ 10 million was financed by Finep (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos), a federal public agency that promotes innovation. The remainder was provided through Caixa Econômica Federal and the Pró-Cidades program of the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development.
“The opening of Cite represents a modern collective intelligence infrastructure, where universities bring their research closer to practical application, investors find opportunities for new connections, and representatives from strategic sectors innovate based on real-world challenges,” says Evandro Banzato, Secretary of Economic Development and Job Creation.
The new center brings together state-of-the-art laboratories focused on Artificial Intelligence, Industry 4.0, IoT (Internet of Things), energy, mobility, and advanced manufacturing, as well as a startup incubator and accelerator, auditoriums, training rooms, collaboration spaces, meeting rooms, and administrative facilities to provide technical support to companies.
Spanning 22,000 square meters, the complex forms the heart of the Technology Park and significantly expands the municipality’s capacity to generate knowledge, solutions, and innovative businesses.
Between 2019 and 2024, the Technology Park raised more than R$ 90 million for innovation projects, investment attraction, infrastructure, and applied research. One of the highlights is the Open Innovation Program, which brought together 44 companies and resulted in 38 solutions developed in partnership with startups and research centers, with nearly R$ 30 million in private investment.
“It is important to note that the Technology Park’s new headquarters is a structure that is already vibrant from the start, as it offers the entire São Paulo and Brazilian ecosystem an extensive calendar of initiatives, programs, and events aimed at promoting science, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship,” adds Evandro Banzato.
With the new Innovation Center, Santo André is taking a decisive step toward consolidating a municipal innovation policy with national impact, bringing together industrial tradition, technology, and human capital to create new opportunities for jobs, income, and development.
-| Text: Renan Muniz
-| Photos: Eduardo Merlino/PSA and Renato Silva/PSA (drone) | Video: Renato Silva/PSA