Petrobras launches public notice that seeks innovative solutions for startups and small companies

Petrobras launched, in partnership with Sebrae, the first public notice of the Petrobras Connections for Innovation Program, which will enable the insertion of small businesses and startups in the development of solutions to overcome technological challenges proposed by the company. The process will last five years and will receive an investment of up to R$ 60 million across the country. Curitiba is the eighth city to receive a special event for the presentation of the public notice.
 
In this first public notice, the forecast is that 10 projects will be awarded with resources that vary, on average, between R$ 500 thousand and R$ 1.5 million. The selected companies will have an average of two years to develop their projects. Any innovative micro or small company, with or without a partnership with scientific and technological institutions accredited by the ANP, can present projects in the areas of digital technologies, carbon capture and use, new energies, nanotechnology, corrosion and catalysts, according to the challenges presented in the public notice. .
 
Ricardo Ramos, open innovation consultant at Cenpes, Petrobras' research center, explained that the company has already formed partnerships with several technological institutions, companies and startups, but highlights that the public notice launched has differentials for the actors of the innovation ecosystem.

"It's a new way of approaching this ecosystem. Through a great partner like Sebrae, we can make this contact in a more systematic, methodological and more effective way. We mapped some large-scale challenges within Petrobras and the solutions that these entrepreneurs bring to us can be applied in other production chains. We are hoping to have great results", he reinforced.
 
Sebrae/PR will offer consultancy to the selected companies, to improve competitiveness, during the period of the research, development and innovation project, in addition to assistance in rendering physical and financial accounts of the projects. For this, the entity will provide a consultant to assist interested companies.
 
"This partnership is a spectacular business opportunity for micro and small companies and also collaborates to transform innovative projects into practical results that contribute to development", said the director of operations at Sebrae/PR, Júlio Agostini.
 
Sebrae/PR provides specialist assistance for startups interested in applying for the public notice. Upon scheduling, it will be possible to obtain guidance on conditions and completion of the public notice. Interested parties should contact Vinicius Galindo de Mello, by phone (41) 33305874.
 
Applications for proposals in the Petrobras Connections for Innovation Program – startups module must be made by September 5th on the website: http://www.sebrae.com.br/editalpetrobrassebrae/2019.
 
The disclosure of the 20 selected companies should take place on October 4th. The final result will be announced on November 19.