Journalist Ana Paula Lobo, director of the Convergência Digital portal, moderated the debate. She spoke about the growing role of new technologies and telecommunications in the current scenario of increasing digitization and digital transformation, encouraged by the changes generated by the new coronavirus and the need for social distance.
Rodolfo Fücher, president of ABES, thanked the presence of the speakers and the public, and recalled that the majority of the associates of the entity is formed by small and medium companies. He also cited the data from a survey carried out with associates on the impacts of Covid-19 on its businesses, which detected an increase in bad debt by customers and a reduction in the number of new contracts.
On the BNDES 'support for ICTs, Carlos Azen, Manager of Planning, Studies and Products for IT, Telecom and Creative Economy at BNDES, explained that the bank directly supports IT companies and also companies that consume new technologies, and that the bank offers financing for all economic sectors, such as agribusiness and smart cities.
Startup Point is coming
Otávio Caixeta, Director of Innovative Ecosystems at the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications, evaluated that the conjuncture has startups that are suffering more from the pandemic, such as those that work with tourism and hotels, and those that are facing new opportunities for businesses, such as those supporting digitalization. “We have a committee that is working to unify the Brazilian strategy for startups, as we discovered that there are more than 40 policies to support the ecosystem. In 2 to 3 weeks, we should launch the Startup Point website, the result of this analytical work, reducing overlaps and facilitating access to public notices ”, he informed.
Non-reimbursable resources in the fight against Covid-19
Newton Hamatsu, Finep's Superintendent of Innovation, addressed the mechanisms of support for innovation offered by the agency, reported that the financier has already released about R$ 50 million in non-reimbursable resources to combat Covid-19 and also created specific lines focused on health , as well as for the manufacture of respirators and diagnostic tests. He also mentioned the Centelha and TecInova programs, which encourage innovation in partnerships with state research support funds. Another program mentioned was Finep Startup, which has open enrollment.
Solutions offered by startups
Rafael Guilherme Wandrey, Undersecretary of Innovation, of the Secretariat of Productivity, Employment and Competitiveness of the Ministry of Economy, mentioned the research they carried out with the startups of InovAtiva Brasil, together with Liga Insights and iDexo, to identify how Covid-19 impacted the businesses of these companies. “The loss of customers is real, but at the same time, we have startups that are gaining customers. For this reason, we are conducting demo days focused on health and other segments to show the solutions that startups offer to facilitate the business of small and medium-sized companies. This material can be accessed on the InovAtiva channel on YouTube ”, he explained.
Watch the full webinar at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-Bs5RdZBm8&list=PL2X1JJqBpAkOvAJ7KS25L7wFzIUUQHMih&index=11
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