Is your startup based in Germany and interested in operating as a business or establishing R&D cooperation in Brazil? DWIH São Paulo is searching for innovative, science-based solutions that use Artificial Intelligence to address sustainability challenges and generate measurable, long-term benefits for society. Startups led by researchers, with ongoing academic activity or recent graduates from scientific institutions, will be prioritized.

Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability addresses the growing need to combine technological innovation with environmental responsibility, social impact, and ethical governance. In a context marked by climate change, biodiversity loss, resource scarcity, rapid digitalization, and increasing social inequalities, AI can become a powerful tool to support the transition toward more sustainable and resilient systems. By processing large volumes of data, identifying patterns, predicting risks, and optimizing processes in real time, AI can help improve decision-making in areas such as decarbonization, renewable energy, biodiversity monitoring, circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and social inclusion. At the same time, responsible AI requires transparency, data protection, fairness, security, and accountability, ensuring that technological progress contributes positively to people, institutions, and the environment.

Brazil offers a unique and high-impact environment for AI-driven sustainability solutions. With its continental dimensions, unmatched biodiversity, social diversity, and strategic role in global climate discussions, the country presents major challenges and opportunities for innovation. Key sectors such as agriculture, energy, environmental monitoring, logistics, public services, and industry are increasingly seeking intelligent tools to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, strengthen ESG strategies, and create long-term value for society. Brazil’s growing digital infrastructure and its data protection framework, including the LGPD, also reinforce the importance of solutions that combine technological performance with responsible governance, privacy, and ethical compliance.

Startups, especially science-based deep tech companies, play a central role in this transformation. Their agility, specialized knowledge, and ability to translate academic research into practical applications allow them to develop solutions that respond quickly to complex environmental, social, and technological challenges. Whether by predicting climate risks, optimizing clean energy systems, monitoring biodiversity, reducing industrial waste, improving sustainable agriculture, or developing trustworthy frameworks for ethical AI and data privacy, startups can help turn scientific knowledge into scalable solutions with real-world sustainable impact.

Challenge “Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability”

In 2026, the DWIH network continues to prioritize themes that connect scientific excellence with global impact under the overarching theme “Science for Society”. In this context, the challenge focuses on the role of science-based AI solutions in advancing the dual transition — digital and ecological — while creating measurable and lasting benefits for society.

By promoting the “Artificial Intelligence for Sustainability” challenge through Startups Connected, the open innovation program of the Brazilian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry São Paulo (AHK São Paulo), DWIH São Paulo aims to encourage German startups based on scientific research to bring AI solutions with environmental, social, and ethical impact to Brazil, while exploring opportunities for business development and R&D cooperation.

The applicant startup must offer an innovative solution within one or more focus areas related to sustainability and responsible digital transformation. This may include AI models for carbon footprint tracking, emissions reduction, climate risk assessment, renewable energy optimization, smart grids, biodiversity and environmental monitoring, circular economy, waste optimization, sustainable agriculture, bioeconomy, data privacy, ethical AI, algorithmic bias mitigation, occupational health and safety, inclusion, accessibility, community relations, and measurable social impact.

The startup is expected to be interested in operating as a business, as well as in establishing R&D cooperation in Brazil. To this end, the startup must be willing to participate in the DWIH São Paulo roadshow, offered in partnership with the Brazilian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry São Paulo (AHK São Paulo). Applicants should also be able to demonstrate how their solution can contribute to sustainability in Brazil and create a measurable, long-term positive impact for society, the environment, or responsible digital transformation.