Catalisa ICT will receive R$ 160 million from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in 2024. “The Brazilian challenge is to put scientific production, which is very strong, to generate direct solutions for the population”, said minister Luciana Santos
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) will invest R$ 160 million in the Catalisa ICT program from 2024 with resources from the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT). The announcement was made by Minister Luciana Santos, this Tuesday (12), at a ceremony launching the notice for the last stage of the program. Catalisa ICT is promoted by Sebrae in partnership with MCTI and entities from the national innovation ecosystem.
“The great Brazilian challenge is to put our scientific production, which is very strong, to generate direct solutions for the population, boost the productive sector and generate employment and income”, stated the minister, highlighting the importance of Catalisa ICT to promote connection between scientific knowledge and innovative business.
Credit: Luara Baggi
Luciana Santos reinforced that the expansion of investments in the program, starting next year, will support around 4 thousand research studies with potential for innovation and involve 10 thousand researchers. The expected result is the creation of 600 new technology-based companies across the country.
The minister pointed out that several MCTI initiatives seek to identify scientific research with potential for innovation, train researchers in innovative entrepreneurship and promote innovation plans focused on the priority areas of the Mais Inovação Brasil program. “We need to make knowledge an asset for society and a pillar of the inclusive, sustainable and sovereign development of our country”, he concluded.
The notice launched this Tuesday is the last stage of the Catalisa ICT journey and will select 140 startups with innovation projects from across the country. For nine months, up to two partners from these companies will receive a grant worth R$ 6,500 per month, in addition to training, mentoring and participation in networking events. Proposals must be submitted by January 31, 2024.
For the president of Sebrae, Décio Lima, Catalisa ICT induces economic and social development. According to him, innovation revolutionizes a country's economy, is fundamental for neo-industrialization and needs to be a state policy. “We want an innovative, sustainable and inclusive world,” he stated.
Startup
Deep tech Orby.co has already been through Catalisa ICT. The company develops a pioneering system for motor control and pain modulation in people who have lost movement due to neuromotor functions, such as Parkinson's, spinal cord injury, among many others. Furthermore, the startup works in auditory rehabilitation with the help of artificial intelligence. Neuroscientist, biomedical engineer and CEO of Orby.co, Duda Franklin, explains the importance of the journey for the venture.
“Sebrae is the gateway for these companies, especially technology-based startups. They help us with knowledge, with connections to structure us and position us better in the market”, he explains. “Only in this way can we put Brazil on the map of the world’s largest technology industries”, he adds.
How it works
The Catalisa ICT acceleration journey comprises four stages. The first, held in 2020, was to mobilize researchers and awaken them to undertake. Afterwards, participants learned how to structure their projects. Between 2021 and 2022, they began developing and testing their products. Now is the time to scale these innovative initiatives.
Participation in the previous stage provides conditions for submission to this one, which will be open, but is not a prerequisite. All deep techs (startups originating from research) that meet the notice requirements can participate. The requirement is to have at least a level of technological maturity (TRL- technology readiness level) 5, that is, to be in the testing phase in a simulated environment.
To be selected, the innovation project must be linked to the following areas: health, pharmacy and cosmetics; agriculture and aquaculture; socio-environmental and forestry sustainability; equipment for industry or services; electronic equipment; logistics or transport; education; telecommunications and network infrastructure; Information and Communication technology (hardware/software); food and beverage industries; of construction; metal, mechanics, automobile; aerospace; naval; extractive, oil, gas and energy; in addition to the chemical industry and new materials.
An important aspect is that products and processes cannot harm the environment or put public safety at risk.
Of the total selected proposals, 30% of vacancies will be reserved for companies located in the North, Northeast or Central-West regions of Brazil. Catalisa ICT will also offer selected companies the opportunity to present their projects to Embrapii accredited units, in order to access technical-financial support to promote advances in the technology of their projects.
To learn more, click here: www.sebrae.com.br/catalisaict
Partnership
To execute Catalisa ICT, Sebrae counts on the collaboration of MCTI; the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI); the National Council of Research Support Foundations (CONFAP); the National Association of Entities Promoting Innovative Enterprises (Anprotec); of the National Forum of Innovation and Technology Transfer Managers (Fortec), among others.
