BNDES Line MSME Inovadora grants more than R$ 230 million loans to innovative micro, small and medium-sized companies

The credit line ended 2015, after 16 months of operation, with around 130 contracts closed

Published with the support of ABES, the BNDES MPME Inovadora credit line ended 2015, after 16 months of operation, with around 130 contracts closed across the country, and approximately R$ 230 million in loans granted to MSME (micro , small and medium enterprises). Of the total contracts, around 80 were with companies in the IT sector, totaling around R$ 115 million in support. Created by BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development) and offered through accredited agents of the bank, such as BRDE (Regional Bank for Development of the Far South) and Agência Desenvolvimento São Paulo, the line provides financing of up to R$ 20 million for technology companies that present innovative features and revenue of less than R$ 90 million per year.
 
The line has different costs and terms, with an interest rate based on the TJLP (Long-Term Interest Rate) and a 48-month grace period. In addition to being able to finance up to 90% of the total investment, the line can also use the FGI (Guarantee Fund for Investments) as a guarantee, which allows entrepreneurs without the possibility of providing traditional guarantees, such as real estate and bank finance, to access financing.
 
Paradigma Business Solutions, from Santa Catarina, was one of the Brazilian companies benefiting from the program. Specializing in electronic trading and relationships, the company was looking for a source of investment to finance its innovation planning and the globalization of its technology. “We found in this line a great support for the Brazilian entrepreneur who needs to invest in innovation to be competitive. The attractiveness lies in the terms and lower interest rates compared to those found in the market”, comments Gérson Schmitt, chairman of the company's board of directors.
 
André Medrado, an analyst at the BNDES' Information and Communication Technology Department, explains that ABES' partnership in publicizing the line in the South and Southeast regions was important for its performance. “Often, what is most lacking for an entrepreneur to grow is access to finance. With the support of ABES, a greater number of companies were able to get to know the line, allowing it to expand. BNDES has among its priorities supporting innovation and small entrepreneurs. In addition, the software sector is among those that can contribute most to increasing the overall productivity of our economy”, he comments.

To support the dissemination of the line, ABES is responsible for articulating the development banks, which are the economic agents, with the technology and innovation poles and class entities; and with innovative companies. “Among the companies associated with ABES alone, more than 85% are micro, small and medium-sized companies. Most of these companies are responsible for most of the innovative projects in the IT sector”, comments Jamile Sabatini Marques, director of Innovation and Development at ABES.
 
According to André Medrado, for access to the Innovative MSME line to expand, the most important thing is that more banks are willing to offer it. Currently, the bank that has adopted the line more intensively was the BRDE (Banco Regional de Desenvolvimento do Extremo Sul), which has placed it as one of its main actions to support innovation.
 
“For 2016, we plan to promote the program in regions that have not yet benefited and expand the criteria for qualifying the program. It is very important that other banks perceive this support for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs as strategic so that the line can be offered more intensively throughout Brazil”, says André. 
 
According to André Medrado, the program helps to bring the BNDES closer to micro and small companies. “This line is a way of increasing the reach of BNDES' operations through regional banks, as the institution has always had the challenge of working with small innovative companies and this line helps us”, he explains.
 
In addition to announcing the Innovative MPME line, ABES also makes available on its portal the Guide to Industrial Support Instruments, developed by the Industrial Development Agency (ABDI). Through this tool, it is possible to consult the instruments for financial and technical support, innovation and exports, trade defense, incentives and exemptions in the Brazilian market for industrial development, according to the company's profile and demand.
 
According to the chairman of the board of ABES, Jorge Sukarie, the entity offers a base of information to encourage the growth of the sector. “The association continuously seeks to support and encourage the development of companies, providing the resources and information necessary for entrepreneurs to continue growing and expanding their businesses”.
 
To access the Guide, visit the website: www.abessoftware.com.br/inovacao-e-fomento/apresentacao-inovacaofomento. And for more information about the advantages and how to access the Innovative MSME, visit: http://www.bndes.gov.br/SiteBNDES/bndes/bndes_pt/Institucional/Apoio_Financeiro/Programas_e_Fundos/MPME_Inovadora.html