Cubo Itaú2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
São Paulo innovation hub launched by Itaú Unibanco and Redpoint eventures in 2015. Curated paid membership for startups with R$1M+ revenue; connects to 70+ corporates. No equity.
- No cash investment
- Funding
- No equity
- Equity
- Ongoing membership
- Program length
- Rolling
- Applications
About Cubo Itaú
Cubo Itaú is a nonprofit innovation hub in São Paulo, launched in 2015 by Itaú Unibanco with Redpoint eventures. It is not an accelerator in the funding sense. It does not invest or take equity.
Instead it runs a curated, paid community that links startups with large companies. Cubo says it has more than 500 curated startups from 18 countries and access to 70+ corporate partners. Its business challenges reach a base of 30,000+ Latin American startups.
5 billion in revenue, according to a March 2026 report. More than 70% of the community is B2B. Cubo is organized in sector hubs, including agro, AI, construction and living, consumer, education, energy, ESG, fintech, health, legal, logistics, media and mobility.
Corporate maintainers include Itaú BBA, Stellantis, TIM, Saint-Gobain and NTT Data Brasil. Admission requires annual revenue above R$ 1 million, a scalable product, a full-time team and founders who keep at least 50% of the shares. Membership costs R$ 1,600 a month for the basic plan, with fixed seats and private rooms extra.
Cubo also runs a Soft Landing program for foreign startups and opened Cubo Uruguay, its first operation outside Brazil.
What Cubo Itaú looks for
Cubo wants startups that large companies can buy from now. The published criteria are scalability with a validated product, traction with annual revenue above R$ 1 million, VC-fundable structure with founders holding at least 50% of the shares, a full-time team with market expertise, and a willingness to share knowledge with other members. Sector is not decisive, but B2B startups fit the corporate hub model best.
How the Cubo Itaú program works
Cubo works as a membership, not a timed program. After curation, a startup joins a sector hub and gets the Cubo seal, a profile in the startup showcase, the digital platform and Slack, and access to members-only events. Business generation comes through corporate challenges, pitch and matchmaking rounds, and hub meetings with maintainers.
Cubo Academy offers curated learning, and the team arranges investor introductions and fundraising preparation. The basic plan costs R$ 1,600 a month and includes four building visits a month. Extra memberships cost R$ 450 a month.
A fixed seat with 24/7 access and a fiscal address costs R$ 1,500 a month. Private rooms for 10 people start at R$ 18,000 a month.
How to apply to Cubo Itaú
- 1Check the criteria: annual revenue above R$ 1 million, a market-validated scalable product and a full-time founding team.
- 2Make sure founders together hold at least 50% of the company's shares.
- 3Fill in the application form on cubo.itau/startups (Seja uma Startup Cubo).
- 4Pass curation, where Cubo reviews your business, market segment and fit with its hubs.
- 5Pitch to the evaluation committee, then choose a membership plan on admission.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Cubo Itaú vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubo Itaú | No cash investment | No equity | São Paulo, Brazil | Rolling admissions |
| AWS Generative AI Accelerator | Up to $1M | No equity | Seattle, WA | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Conception X | Up to $390K | No equity | London | December 6, 2026 (40 days left) |
| WILCO | Up to $173K | No equity | Paris | Next deadline not announced yet |
| Microsoft for Startups (formerly Founders Hub) | Up to $150K | No equity | Online | Rolling admissions |
| KAUST TAQADAM Accelerator | Up to $140K | No equity | Thuwal, Saudi Arabia | Next deadline not announced yet |
Cubo Itaú FAQ
When is the Cubo Itaú application deadline?+
Cubo Itaú reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
Does Cubo Itaú invest in startups?+
No. Cubo is a nonprofit hub and does not invest or take equity. Its value is access to more than 70 corporate partners, sector hubs, events and investor introductions. Startups in the community raised R$ 1.6 billion from outside investors in 2025, according to Cubo figures reported in March 2026.
How much does Cubo Itaú membership cost?+
The basic membership plan costs R$ 1,600 a month and includes one membership, the Cubo seal, Slack and WhatsApp groups, events and four building visits a month. Additional memberships cost R$ 450 a month, a fixed seat costs R$ 1,500 a month and private rooms for 10 people start at R$ 18,000 a month.
Can an early-stage startup join Cubo?+
Usually not. Cubo's criteria require annual revenue above R$ 1 million, a validated product and a full-time team. CEO Paulo Costa has said the criteria have always been R$ 1 million in revenue, innovation and team. Pre-revenue startups are better served by an accelerator first.
Can foreign startups join Cubo Itaú?+
Yes. Cubo's community includes startups from 18 countries, and it runs a Soft Landing program to help foreign companies enter the Brazilian market. It also opened Cubo Uruguay, its first operation outside Brazil. The same revenue and team criteria apply.
Sources: cubo.itau, cubo.itau, baguete.com.br, lp.cubo.network, startupi.com.br