Innovation is not just based on the development of new products. It also helps promote new business models, offers new services and improves processes to make people’s lives easier. But above all, it makes sure that this progress reaches those who need it.
Innovation is fundamental to improving the competitive positioning of companies. The practice contributes to increasing production efficiency, generating new products and creating qualified jobs, thus making companies more competitive and generating economic and social value for the economy.
Brazil faces a challenging scenario. The 2022 National Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators, a document prepared by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), indicate that the country needs to improve the research and development ecosystem to advance in the innovation ranking. The data follows the methodological parameters of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), to allow international comparability.
Compared to 2019, there was an 8.2% drop in 2020 in total investment in research and development in Brazil. The value of R$95.3 billion in 2019 fell to R$87.1 billion in 2020. The investment only considers the execution of projects, minus administrative and support activities, in the public and business spheres (which includes public companies and private). The most significant drop involves the business sector, which reduced its investment by R$9 billion.
In relation to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in percentage terms, total investment fell from 1.21% to 1.14% in the period. In this case, there was an increase in public expenditure from 0.58% to 0.62%, and a reduction in business expenditure, which fell from 0.63% to 0.53%.
“The numbers indicate that Brazil is going against the main economies in the world, such as the United States and China, the main global investors, both in volume and in percentage in relation to GDP”, explains Gianna Sagázio, director of innovation at the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).
The MCTI document also shows that the number of doctors in 2021 dropped at least six years, remaining at the same level as in 2016. From 24.4 thousand per year, it fell to 20.1 thousand (2020) and 20.7 thousand graduates ( 2021).
According to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, the federal government is committed to recovering investments in science and technology and using research and development to face national challenges.
“Since the beginning of the administration, we have established as a priority the restoration of financing for Brazilian science through the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development. This recomposition was approved by the National Congress in the form of PLN 01, which opens additional credit in the amount of R$4.18 billion. With this, we will recover the country’s scientific capacity and invest in structuring projects in strategic areas, which will create the conditions for a leap in Brazil’s scientific and technological development”, he stated.
Amidst the great challenges to drive Brazil towards development and growth, through innovation, a group made up of big national and international names will meet at the 10th International Industry Innovation Congresson the 27th and 28th of September, at São Paulo Expo, in the capital of São Paulo.
In addition to the panels, which will feature 22 international and 42 Brazilian speakers, there will be a large area where technologies and innovations from the companies sponsoring the event will be showcased. There will also be stands from the Congress organizers, the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) and the Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), and the co-organizers, SESI, SENAI and IEL.
With the theme of eco-innovation, the Congress has a program that includes important international names, CEOs of many of the main Brazilian and multinational industries, as well as government representatives. Among the prominent names are the Italian Mariana Mazzucato, specialist in financing for innovation and professor of economics at the University of Sussex, in England, as well as author of important books on industry and innovation.
The co-founder of the Biomimicry Institute, Janine Benyus, also confirmed her presence, who will speak about the journey of eco-innovation in companies. Daniel Moczydlower, CEO of Embraer X (which created the eVTOL project, known as the flying car), will speak about public eco-innovation policies. Leaders from large industries, such as André Clark, from Siemens, and Bernardo Gradin, from Granbio, will also participate in Congress panels.
CNI’s Director of Innovation, Gianna Sagazio, highlights that the Congress is an opportunity for businesspeople, government representatives and academia to debate an essential topic for Brazil.
“The biggest innovation event in Latin America brings together experts from around the world to discuss a topic that drives countries towards development and growth. And, with the eco-innovation theme, we also want to show the importance of innovation combined with the sustainability agenda, an urgent issue. Brazil is able to open up many opportunities in eco-innovation with renewable energy, such as green hydrogen, and the decarbonization of the economy”, says Gianna Sagazio.
Sebrae, which also organizes the event, will bring to the Congress solutions developed by startups and technology-based companies for sectors such as civil construction, health, textile industry, cargo and passenger transport and agriculture. In this way, the Sebrae space will demonstrate the transformative role of small businesses in the green economy and will offer an environment to attract new partnerships and investments.
Among the companies present will be Quantis, which developed a 3D bioprinter for human tissues, and Phycolabs, responsible for creating a textile fiber from seaweed, both from São Paulo. In the North region, there will be Mazodan, from Amapá, to demonstrate a type of sustainable mortar, and Aeroriver, from Amazonas, with the prototype of a flying boat, designed to float above the rivers of the Amazon region. These are small technology-based businesses that have gone through Sebrae programs, such as Inova Amazônia, focused on the bioeconomy; and Catalisa ICT, which promotes rapprochement between scientific research and the market.
“Innovation combined with sustainability is fundamental for the survival of companies that will face an increasingly competitive market and a society attentive to the impact of business. This Congress is a great opportunity for companies to be inspired, gain knowledge, and exchange experiences”, highlights Sebrae’s technical director, Bruno Quick.
Global Innovation Index
A new feature of this edition of the event will be the global launch of the Global Innovation Index (IGI). There will be a debate on the challenges for Brazil and eco-innovation. CNI is a publicity partner for the IGI – a ranking published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO – WIPO), in partnership with the Portulans Institute. Last year, Brazil ranked 54th out of 132 countries evaluated.
Check out the full Congress schedule and register for free
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