We attended the National Conference on Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) in Brasília, where our team had the opportunity to share ideas and knowledge with industry leaders.
The fifth conference organized by Brazil’s MCTI had not taken place for 14 years, and it focused on discussing, disseminating, and reviewing Brazil’s new science and technology policy, as well as developing a work plan for all ecosystem players.
The main subject was developing a specialized policy on Artificial Intelligence: a new regulatory and ethical framework.
Much of the discussion centered around how Brazil’s current investment of 1.14% of its GDP in ST&I can increase to the OECD countries’ average, which is above 3%. However, all panelists agreed that there has been a significant increase in state investment in ST&I in this recent period. For example, one of the major players in this area is the Brazilian public agency FINEP, which, in the ICT-company cooperation line, launched calls with economic grants of R$2.3 billion, of which one of the sectors with the most resources is innovation projects in agribusiness, with R$280 million, followed by sectors like national sovereignty and defense, health, bioeconomy directed towards fuels, among others.
Day 1
The day consisted of the opening with government authorities, including President Lula and the Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Luciana Santos.
There were discussions about new science, technology, and innovation policy for Brazil, with more resources allocated, bringing new funding opportunities for startups, ST&I-based companies, and applied research projects for ICTs (Institutions of Science and Technology). The investment is aimed at developing and absorbing technological solutions and addressing ecosystem challenges across different verticals: agribusiness, health, energy, and the environment.
On this day, our team visited the Chilean Embassy in Brazil, where Ambassador Sebastián Depolo and Bilateral Diplomat Carolina Faune participated. The meeting discussed PhageLab’s expansion plans in Brazil and how to collaborate so that more biotech companies can enter and grow.
Day 2
The attention was on the opportunities and challenges in the National System of Science, Technology, and Innovation (SNCTI), with a special emphasis on university-industry cooperation, funding opportunities, ecosystem composition, and evolution, the perspective from state and private funds, and the outlook for a new industry in Brazil, with strategic focuses on biotechnology applied to health, energy transition, decarbonization, AI, bioeconomy, strategic minerals, and food security.
Day 3
The event’s closing, led by Minister Luciana Santos, primarily addressed the role of public universities in the SNCTI, as well as the promotion of scientific production, the competitiveness of Brazil’s innovation ecosystem, and the challenges of higher education in integrating advanced HR into industries. Emerging and critical technologies for Brazil’s reindustrialization were also presented.
It was an enriching event that allowed us to connect with authorities, explore new trends, and strengthen our networks in Brazil. We are very convinced to continue collaborating for the country’s productive development.
