Artificial Intelligence

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 solutions that contributes to the sustainability of economic, environmental and social development through artificial intelligence. Startups with researchers as entrepreneurs, with ongoing academic activity or recent graduates of scientific institutions will be prioritized.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the greatest technological revolutions of the modern era. As a field of computer science, it focuses on creating systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI has evolved rapidly thanks to advances in algorithms, computational power, and data availability. The opportunities for AI application continue to grow, and currently, AI systems can perform activities such as speech recognition, image and video analysis, language translation, autonomous driving, medical diagnosis, large-scale data analysis, and even art creation.

Its application spans across various sectors, bringing significant benefits to society. In healthcare, for example, AI is revolutionizing disease diagnosis and treatment. In education, learning platforms use AI to offer personalized content, adjusting the pace and style of teaching to each student’s individual needs. In urban planning, artificial intelligence contributes to the development of smart cities, making urban environments more efficient and sustainable. Additionally, in promoting sustainability, AI plays a key role in modeling and predicting natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, enabling a faster and more effective response.

In this context, many startups, such as edtechs, citytechs, healthtechs, govtechs, cleantechs, and others, apply artificial intelligence to provide society with the conditions for sustainable development.

Challenge “Artificial Intelligence”

In 2024, the DWIH network, composed of the German Center for Research and Innovation São Paulo and other five units in other countries, adopted “Artificial Intelligence: Spotlight on People and Society” as its central theme.

By promoting the challenge “Artificial Intelligence: Spotlight on People and Society” with Startups Connected, the German-Brazilian Chamber (AHK São Paulo)’s open innovation program, DWIH São Paulo aims to encourage German startups based on scientific research and that offer artificial intelligence solutions focused on people and society to also act in Brazil.

The subscribed startup must offer an innovative solution that contributes to the sustainability of economic, environmental and social development through artificial intelligence. For example, the promotion of science and education, the improvement in healthcare and of the health system, the preservation and recovery of the environment, the development of people-centered smart cities in addition to the strength of social cohesion, the promotion of democracy and transparency (through the digitalization of the government), the improvement of public services and the expansion of the population’s access to them, the development of new products, platforms and financial solutions, as well as the fight against fake news.

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 comply with the DWIH São Paulo roadshow offered jointly with German-Brazilian Chamber (AHK São Paulo). Startups with researchers as entrepreneurs, with ongoing academic activity or recent graduates of scientific institutions, will be prioritized.

Summary of application requirements:

• The innovative solution offered by the startup should have been originally developed in an academic or scientific environment.
• The candidate must explain the link of its innovative solution with the challenge and the central theme of the DWIH network “Artificial Intelligence: Spotlight on People and Society”.
• The innovative solution must contribute to the sustainability of economic, environmental and social development, and be associated with UN SDG challenges.
• The startup must have interest in operating in a business, as well as establishing R&D cooperation in Brazil.

Summary of evaluation criteria:

• Innovative character of the solution and its impact (scope and intensity).
• Potential for the Brazilian market.
• Prior knowledge of the Brazilian market.
• Profile of startup leaders: priority will be given to those who have researchers as entrepreneurs, with ongoing academic activity or recent graduates from scientific institutions.

Considerations:

By winning the “Artificial Intelligence: Spotlight on People and Society” category, the startup gets the opportunity to participate in the customized Startups Connected Roadshow offered by DWIH São Paulo’s in 2024[i], as well as to enjoy DWIH São Paulo’s and AHK São Paulo network, to build contacts with partners, possible customers and centers of excellence that can help in the development or improvement of their solution for the Brazilian market.

Benefits offered by the Startups Connected – Roadshow:

• Mapping of potential partners in Brazil;
• Intermediation of contacts in Brazil;
• One week customized roadshow in Brazil (airfare and accommodation included). We expect the startup, being well-acquainted with its business and market, to be collaborative in the co-creation of the roadshow agenda by suggesting partners they would like to meet;
• Award ceremony at the 12st German-Brazilian Congress on Innovation and Sustainability, acknowledged as the biggest event held between the two countries;
• Membership to AHK São Paulo – As a member of AHK São Paulo for one year, the startup can participate in exclusive events and working groups, benefit from networking opportunities and use our infrastructure and physical co-working space.

Timeline

• Opening Registration: June 17^th, 2024.
• Deadline Registration: August 1^st, 2024.
• Pre-selection and announcement of finalists: until August 5^th, 2024;
• Pitch-day (online) and selection of the winner by the jury: August 13^th, 2024;
• Presentation of the winner at the German-Brazilian Congress on Innovation and Sustainability: October 2024 (tbc);
• Trip to Brazil: October 2024 (tbc).

[i] The Startups Connected – Roadshow is to take place this year (2024), and this point is non-negotiable. The startup representative in the planned activities can be any member of the team formally designated for this purpose.