CERNE Level 4 Certification in Accelerators: The Habitat Senai Case as a Benchmark in Innovation Governance

Abstract

This article presents the methodological review process and the implementation of management practices that enabled the Habitat Senai Accelerator, linked to the Fiep System, to achieve CERNE Level 4 Certification — the highest maturity level of the model developed by Anprotec and Sebrae. The research adopts a qualitative, applied approach, structured in three stages: organizational diagnosis, strategic planning, and process systematization. The results demonstrate significant progress in the standardization of practices, strengthening of governance, network collaboration, socio-environmental responsibility, and internationalization. The certification, unprecedented among Brazilian accelerators, positions Habitat Senai as a national benchmark in innovation environments. The study contributes to the field of innovation management by presenting a replicable model of institutional professionalization, with the potential for systemic impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.