EMBRAPII celebrates the success of its financing and innovation incentive model

 

In 2017, EMBRAPII (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa e Inovação Industrial), linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication (MCTIC), reached the mark of R$ 600 million in 369 innovation projects developed in partnership with companies and research institutes. research from all over Brazil, in three years of operation. The numbers show the success of EMBRAPII's tripartite financing model, in which the entity shares the investment in RD&I with industry and research institutes.
 
Of the nearly R$ 600 million invested since 2014, 1/3 is financed by EMBRAPII – R$ 198.9 million – with non-refundable resources, that is, the industrial sector does not need to return the money at the end of the project. The remainder is divided between the industry and the EMBRAPII unit, which brings in equipment and qualified personnel.
 
According to the CEO, Jorge Guimarães, the good performance proves that EMBRAPII's financing model, which shares risk and reduces bureaucratic obstacles, has been well accepted by the Brazilian productive sector. “The private sector sees investment in innovation as an opportunity to get out of the crisis and increase the productivity of its business”, he evaluates.
 
Jorge Guimarães, who has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a university career as a professor at UFRRJ, UNIFESP, Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (SP), at UNICAMP, UFF, UFRJ and UFRGS, gave this exclusive interview to the ABES with more details on EMBRAPII's activities and the company's goals.
 
Of the EMBRAPII Units, which are the ones with the most vocation for the development of innovations in the ICT area?
We have 12 Units able to develop projects in the area of ICT. Within the segment, we have Units developing cutting-edge projects in the area of Optical Communications, Embedded Electronics, Intelligent Systems and several other sub-areas. In 2016, the ICT area stood out the most, with 38.5% of the total projects developed in the period. We can cite and describe at least three innovations in the software, platforms or IoT segment. 
 
One of them is the first beacon fully designed and manufactured in Brazil, developed by the EMBRAPII CPqD Unit in partnership with Taggen Soluções IoT. Among the advantages of the product is the more affordable cost, up to 50% lower than the imported component, communication via open protocol – Bluetooth standard – and other innovative features not currently available on the market.
 
The EMBRAPII Senai Cimatec Unit developed, in partnership with Embraer, a software for simulating warping in metallic parts. The system helps the company to predict the warping of metallic parts in the initial stages of its projects, reducing replacement costs. And we can also mention an intelligent system for the commercialization of dental products developed by the EMBRAPII Certi Unit in partnership with Gnatus.
 
Can you give tips on how to structure a good project to be approved by the partners and EMBRAPII?
In fact, within our business model, the first step is to listen to the demands of the companies and, from there, we set up a delivery schedule for the solution to this demand. We will show the partner company our action proposal. Our goal is to surprise the client with the result of our work.
 
Is there a region or Brazilian state in which EMBRAPII wants to expand its network of partnerships?
Currently, we are in all regions of Brazil. We have some states where we are not present yet, but it is our goal to fill these gaps. There are many science and technology institutions (ICT) in the country, both public and private, that have the capacity to become an EMBRAPII Unit. One of our goals is to identify these ICTs and, in a way, convince them to participate in our Public Calls for accreditation of Units.
 
How is the percentage of search and abandonment. How to keep the entrepreneur stimulated to bet on innovation?
So far, we have 100% of use in project results. And we have seen that many companies are returning to EMBRAPII to order new projects, they are so satisfied with the results. This is the case of Votorantim, Embraer, Shell and Cia. Brazilian Metallurgy and Mining (CBMM). One of the ways to convince the entrepreneur that investing in innovation is an opportunity for him to overcome the crisis is precisely through the creation of an environment conducive to this investment. This environment requires permanent financial support, human capital and technical resources compatible with innovation demands. This is also a mission of EMBRAPII. Bring industry and universities together, where the result is the promotion of innovation and increased business competitiveness.