Startup challenges
Calls, curation and connections with startups and builders to solve real business challenges.
[ 04 ] Solution
Open & Closed Innovation.
Connect your company to startups, universities and protocols — or build innovation in-house.
Open innovation programs with startups, universities, protocols and community, and closed innovation programs with your own team in a confidential setting — from challenge to proof of concept.
Who it is for
Companies, innovation teams, CVCs, protocols and foundations seeking new business with emerging technology.
01 · The challenge
Innovating only with the internal team is slow; opening everything to the market can expose strategy and data. Without method, initiatives become isolated events that create no business.
02 · The opportunity
Combining open and closed innovation lets you source existing solutions outside and build what is strategic inside — with a proof of concept before investing heavily.
03 · Our approach
We use the Vellahub ecosystem — startups, protocols, universities and our event community — for open innovation, and structure internal, confidential programs for closed innovation.
What we do
Hackathons, meetups & events
Community activation, events such as RWAfi Brazil and AMA sessions to take your challenge to the ecosystem.
Closed innovation
Internal programs, labs and an idea pipeline with your team, in a confidential setting.
University partnerships
Applied research, extension programs and talent with educational institutions.
Protocol entry into Brazil
Community, developers and local partners for protocols and foundations.
In action
Real moments from Vellahub classes, panels and events.
How we work
- Step 01
Challenge
Defining the problem, goals and success criteria.
- Step 02
Connection
Curating startups, partners or internal ideas.
- Step 03
Proof of concept
A fast test in a controlled environment.
- Step 04
Scale
Contract, investment or expansion of what worked.
Engagement formats
Pick the format that fits where you are. Scope and investment are defined with you.
- 01
Open innovation
Challenges, hackathons, events and programs with startups, universities and protocols.
Request a proposal → - 02
Closed innovation
An internal, confidential program with your team, from idea to pilot.
Request a proposal → - 03
Ecosystem activation
Meetups, AMA sessions and events for protocols and brands that want to grow in Brazil.
Request a proposal →
Deliverables
- Prioritized innovation thesis and challenges
- A structured open or closed innovation program
- Curation of startups, partners and talent
- Proofs of concept and pilots
- Results report and next steps
Formats
ChallengesHackathonsMeetupsAMA sessionsProofs of conceptInternal programs
Related cases
Events · RWA
RWAfi Brazil 2025
First edition: 500+ people, 25+ speakers, 10+ panels, 6+ open talks and 300K+ digital reach.
Site oficial: rwafibrazil.com ↗Corporate innovation · Blockchain
Blockchain challenge for the insurance market
Took part in the challenge focused on risk management, cost reduction and prediction.
Request a proposal · 3 steps
Your proposalin 3 steps.
Pick the solutions, tell us your goal and leave your contact. A Vellahub specialist replies with the next steps.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between open and closed innovation?
In open innovation, the company sources solutions outside — startups, universities and community. In closed innovation, it builds with its own team, confidentially. Often the best path combines both.
Is my data protected?
Yes. Closed programs and sensitive challenges can run under a non-disclosure agreement.
Do you work with international protocols?
Yes. We help protocols and foundations enter Brazil with events, community and local partners.
Can I sponsor Vellahub events?
Yes. There are sponsorship packages and custom formats; talk to us to learn about the options.
Contact
Let's talk aboutyour project?
Tell us your challenge on WhatsApp. We will get back to you with next steps.
- You tell us the challenge
- A specialist replies
- We shape the proposal with you
- We kick off the project