The plan is to install the new ecosystem in two years, a period that should create 700 direct jobs, with four fronts: a university to train professionals, strengthen game companies, practice eSports and develop games.
Aware of international trends in technology and entertainment, Marcondes de Matos has a big dream for the project. He believes that by 2026 HubCG could be a unicorn – a business valued at US$1 billion and achieving revenue of R$700 million (US$135m).
The center will have an area of more than 10,000 square meters, will have an eSports arena, coworking space, space for professional training and investments in game development. The activities will start in January 2022, the inauguration of the games arena is scheduled for March, and the inauguration of HubCG will be in July next year.
"Our objective is to place Florianópolis on the games map and transform HubCG into a reference point for the sector in up to five years," says the businessman.
The project is led by Professor Carlos Alberto Schneider, one of the founders of the Florianópolis technology hub through the Celta Incubator, Alfa Park and Certi Foundation. He estimates that in the first year of activities, 240 professionals are already working in the new gaming ecosystem, which will cover an area of 4,000 square meters.
When the project is fully implemented, it should generate 700 direct jobs. The intention is to promote incubation and acceleration of game development companies, also attracting capital for investments.
For Marcondes de Matos, HubCG will be the main space in Brazil to play, compete or develop games. He reveals that the idea for this new project came from reading the WGSN by Ascential Company 2020 report, considered the world's leading trending company. He pointed to a focus on well-being and the gaming segment as his main recommendations. The Game Brasil 2021 survey found that 72% of Brazilians are fans of electronic games.
The games that will be developed at HubCG will prioritize themes such as education, health, sustainability, and tropical Brazil, foresees the project. As the development of a hub requires training, the plan foresees a higher education school to train professionals for HubCG and partner companies. The Gaming & Leadership Institute (I.G&L) is being created, a school to train professionals at the technical, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels in the area. The plan is to reach 2026 with 1,200 on-site students and around 200,000 in short-term online courses.
One of the most awarded beach resorts in Brazil, Costâo do Santinho has been in operation since 1991. It has 200,000 square meters of built area and 700,000 square meters of Atlantic Forest reserve next to Costão beach. In this trajectory, it has also become a reference for hosting national and international events from different areas.
Source: Estela Benetti - NSC
