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In Southern Minas, a Municipality of 42 Thousand Inhabitants Concentrates More Than 70% of the National Market for Security Electronics and Becomes a Reference in IoT, Automation, and Technology Training.
With about 42 thousand inhabitants, Santa Rita do Sapucaí, in southern Minas Gerais, has established itself as the main national hub for security electronics, according to the Sindicato das Indústrias de Aparelhos Elétricos, Eletrônicos e Similares do Vale da Eletrônica (Sindvel).
The companies located in the municipality are responsible for more than 70% of the Brazilian market for security-focused equipment and also stand out in the areas of Internet of Things (IoT) and industrial automation.
Integration Model Drives Development
The city adopts the concept of “triple helix”, which integrates academia, industry, and government.
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This model, identified by managers and researchers as a decisive factor for local technological advancement, guides public policies, workforce training, and cooperation among companies.
This model gained new momentum in 2011, with the establishment of the Santa Rita do Sapucaí Technological Park, a structure focused on research, innovation, and business incubation.
The park brings together companies, startups, and educational institutions that share laboratories, infrastructure, and technical knowledge.
Origin of Technological Vocation
The beginning of the municipality’s technological trajectory dates back to 1959, when Luzia Rennó Moreira (Sinhá Moreira) founded the Escola Técnica de Eletrônica Francisco Moreira da Costa (ETE FMC), considered the first technical school of electronics in Latin America.
The initiative trained specialized professionals and attracted companies and investors, according to the school itself and historical records of the region.
Since then, the educational sector of Santa Rita do Sapucaí has become one of the pillars of local economic development.
The city houses institutions such as Faculdade de Administração e Informática (FAI) and Instituto Nacional de Telecomunicações (Inatel), which offer technical and higher education courses focused on technology.
Market Activity and Sector Expansion
Data from Sindvel indicate that local companies dominate the market for electronic security products, such as cameras, alarms, and access control systems.
The union also points to steady growth in the number of businesses related to robotics, IoT, and industrial automation.
According to a survey by the entity, the aggregate revenue of the sector increased by about 20% in the first months of 2025, reflecting the increase in demand for smart devices and the expansion of exports to countries in Latin America and Europe.
Education as the Basis for Innovation
Technical and university education is considered one of the competitive differentials of the municipality.
According to Inatel, the educational environment facilitates the creation of startups and the development of technological solutions.
The institution maintains pre-incubation and acceleration programs for businesses, which guide students and researchers in transforming academic projects into commercial products.
Inatel also promotes innovation events, such as the Connect Summit, which brings together companies and experts to discuss technology trends and expand investment opportunities.
These initiatives, according to the institute, help to consolidate Santa Rita do Sapucaí’s image as a national reference in applied electronics.
Ecosystem That Stimulates New Businesses
Local entrepreneurs say that the proximity between schools, suppliers, and companies facilitates the emergence of new initiatives.
An example is Domingos Adriano, a former student of ETE, Inatel, and FAI, who now works in the education sector.
In an interview with g1, he stated: “I can outsource a large part of my production process, and this gives me a lot of efficiency and flexibility. This is possible because I am in an ecosystem that provides this.”
Beyond human capital, municipal tax incentives and entrepreneurship support programs contribute to the maintenance of businesses in the region and attract new investors.
Business Cooperation and International Reach
The coordination among local manufacturers is done by Sindvel, which brings together companies from the segments of alarm panels, sensors, intercom systems, gate automation, and access control.
According to the union, the municipality exports equipment to more than 30 countries and participates in international fairs in the sector.
Events such as the Feira Industrial do Vale da Eletrônica (FIVEL) serve as showcases for products developed in the city and stimulate knowledge exchange between companies and research institutions.
Comparison with Other Technological Hubs
Although Campinas (SP) is also recognized for its concentration of research centers and technology companies, experts assess that Santa Rita do Sapucaí has its own characteristics, marked by industrial-scale production and the proximity between innovation and manufacturing.
According to researchers in the field, the two hubs complement each other in the national technological chain, combining advanced research and practical application.
Prospects for the Minas Technological Sector
The planning of local institutions calls for infrastructure expansion and increased technical and higher education to meet the demand for specialized professionals in automation, telecommunications, and cybersecurity.
Representatives of Inatel and Sindvel state that the next steps include strengthening exports and integrating emerging technologies, such as embedded artificial intelligence and 6G connectivity.
With a structured ecosystem and established companies in the national market, Santa Rita do Sapucaí is now seeking to expand its international presence and diversify the production of smart equipment.
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