The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and Softex announced, in live held by MCTI on the evening of August 31, the result of the call for tenders for the selection of anchor companies of the IA² MCTI, a technological acceleration program in artificial intelligence that aims to increase Brazilian competitiveness through open innovation and focused on four thematic areas: Health , Industry, Agribusiness and Smart Cities. The effort involved the entire innovation ecosystem in the country: accelerators, research institutions in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICTs), startups, research groups and companies interested in testing AI technologies and sharing investments in this new technology in partnership with the MCTI.
"We received more than 700 applications from startups and 42 from companies from virtually every state in the country interested in developing impact solutions based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and open innovation, proving the growing market interest in this technology, which, according to the IDC consultancy will be able to generate investments of US$ 464 million (approximately R$ 2.4 billion, in direct conversion) for Brazil this year”, highlights the Secretary of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at MCTI, Paulo Alvim.
Initially, the IA² MCTI Program selected 100 projects for pre-acceleration that received mentoring and technical support from ICTs and accelerators with applied experience in AI already registered. As a result, 31 startups were chosen that are being accelerated and developing their projects in AI.
Companies that signed up for the notice entered the Screening Phase. They had access to the IA²MCTI portfolio and participated in rounds of pitch and more than 250 meetings with startups to assess opportunities within the program. Next, they aligned the scope and budget of the projects that would be developed if the company was selected.
In the Market Phase, which is starting now, the startups will be linked to the 15 selected anchor companies: Natura, Brasilseg, Grupo Energisa, MRS Logística, Whirlpool, NeoEnergia, ReciclaBR, Pamplona, Treetech, Ceva, MedSenior, Ciasc, Cipatex, EBSERH and EdMil Stores .
“They will connect with acceleration startups, which will receive more than R$ 4.8 million in government and private investments for the application and adoption of AI solutions. Thus, public policy shares risk with the market to increase the effectiveness of the portfolio of companies”, highlights the president of Softex, Ruben Delgado.
To learn more about the IA² MCTI Program, visit https://softex.br/iamcti/
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