Level Group is the master sponsor of the Procurement Startup Challenge 2026. The initiative by Procurement Club seeks startups capable of addressing real Procurement and Supply Chain challenges. In addition, Level Ventures, Level Group's innovation arm, leads the curation of the solutions. Applications are free and open from 09/14 to 10/02/2026.
Why Level Group supports the Procurement Startup Challenge
Innovation generates more value when it stems from a concrete need. In Procurement, these needs involve risks, productivity, data, efficiency, and suppliers. Therefore, supporting the Challenge reinforces our commitment to the sector's evolution.
The program brings entrepreneurs closer to professionals who experience these demands daily. As a result, startups can demonstrate their technologies with a focus on real-world application. Companies, in turn, discover new approaches to critical problems.
As a master sponsor, Level Group helps strengthen this connection, while Level Ventures brings its expertise in analyzing innovative businesses. In this way, we combine Procurement expertise with an innovation-driven vision.
Innovation challenges in Procurement
The Procurement Startup Challenge seeks solutions for five strategic fronts:
- Risk anticipation and operational continuity. The goal is to identify risk signals and support decision-making before any disruption occurs.
- Process automation and operational productivity. Solutions should reduce manual tasks while maintaining governance, quality, and control.
- Supply chain data integration and intelligence. The focus is on connecting dispersed information and transforming it into better actions.
- Value creation and efficiency beyond price. The objective is to generate savings, margin, productivity, and cash flow without relying solely on discounts.
- Supplier development and collaborative innovation. Technologies can support discovery, qualification, development, and collaboration.
Artificial intelligence may be part of the solution, but it is not a requirement. The central point is to demonstrate alignment with the problem and potential impact in the corporate environment.
Startups we are looking for in this edition
The Challenge welcomes startups with an active corporate registration (CNPJ) and a technological or innovative solution. The solution must be in development, validation, pilot, or operation. Therefore, companies must present something that can be analyzed and demonstrated.
Size criteria also apply. The team must have up to 10 people, while the average annual revenue must be up to R$ 600,000. The cap for seed, pre-seed, or Seed capital is R$ 400,000. For angel investment and equity crowdfunding, the aggregate limit is R$ 300,000.
Startups can indicate a primary challenge and, if necessary, a secondary one. Additionally, they may present clients, pilots, metrics, and other validation evidence.
Level Ventures curation and finalist selection
After applications close, the organization will conduct eligibility screening from 10/03 to 10/07. Then, between 10/08 and 10/11, Level Ventures will evaluate the solutions. The assessment considers problem relevance, potential impact, scalability, integration, differentiation, traction, and pitch clarity.
The ten finalists will be announced on 10/12. The final presentation will take place on October 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM in São Paulo. Each company will have 5 minutes for the pitch and 7 minutes for Q&A with the evaluation panel.
Finalists will receive a digital certificate, while the top three will receive trophies. However, the greatest value lies in the opportunity to build connections and showcase solutions to ecosystem professionals.
Applications for the Procurement Startup Challenge
To participate, the startup must complete the official form by 11:59 PM on 10/02/2026 (Brasília time). A PDF Pitch Deck and a video of up to 3 minutes are also required. An additional product demonstration of up to 5 minutes is optional.
Participation does not guarantee investment, pilots, contracts, or partnerships. However, the Procurement Startup Challenge offers a qualified environment to discover solutions and initiate new relationships.
If your startup can transform Procurement and Supply Chain, check the rules and apply. https://www.procurementdigital.com.br/procurement-startup-challenge/
An important opportunity for startups that have solutions for real challenges in supply chain to connect with companies looking to apply technology to solve their problems.