Innovation for Sustainability

Important:  The “Innovation for Sustainability” category is exclusive for german startups!

 

Context

The increasing impacts of climate change (catastrophes caused by extreme meteorological phenomena, for example) and environmental pollution (such as the infestation of microplastics in different habitats) affect, increasingly, both humanity and fauna and flora throughout the entire planet, and reinforce the importance of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations.

The SDGs compose a global agenda adopted during the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development. This agenda foresees actions in the areas of poverty eradication, food security, agriculture, health, education, gender equality, inequality reduction, energy, water and sanitation, sustainable production and consumption patterns, climate change, sustainable cities, protection and sustainable use of the oceans and terrestrial ecosystems, inclusive economic growth, infrastructure, industrialization, among others.

In order to guarantee the creation of the best solutions, as well as the understanding of challenges, scientific research and the trade promoted by science play key roles. In this regard, the German Center for Science and Innovation (DWIH) São Paulo presents itself as a multidisciplinary platform to ensure that German and Brazilian education, research and innovation institutions reach a batter and more effective exchange of scientific and innovative knowledge.

In 2022, the DWIH network composed by the German Center of São Paulo and other five units in other countries, adopted “Innovation for Sustainability” as its central theme.

In this context, a big number of startups plays an important role as a bridge between the results of scientific research and its application to provide humanity the conditions for a more sustainable economic, social and environmental development.

 

Challenge “Innovation for Sustainability”

When promoting the category “Innovation for Sustainability” in Startups’ Connected 6^th program, DWIH São Paulo aims to incentive German startups with solutions based on scientific research to also act in Brazil.

The subscribed startup must offer an innovative solution or solutions that contribute to economic activities compatible to the concept of circular economy and the preservation and recovery of the environment (for example, that combats climate change, pollution, or the waste of natural resources), in addition to the reduction of social inequalities.

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 German-Brazilian Chamber (AHK São Paulo) acceleration process offered in jointly with DWIH São Paulo.

Startups with researchers as entrepreneurs, still with academic activity or recent graduates of scientific institutions, will be prioritized. Spin-offs should preferably be in the “early stage. The evaluation criteria will be the profile of the entrepreneurs, the innovative nature of the solution, its impact, in addition to the knowledge and potential for the Brazilian market.

Summary of application requirements:

• The innovative solution offered by the startup must have been developed in an academic or scientific environment.
• 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 young researchers as entrepreneurs, still with academic activity or recent graduates from scientific institutions.

 

Considerations:

By winning the “Innovation for Sustainability” category, the startup gains the opportunity to participate in the acceleration program offered by AHK São Paulo, as well as enjoy the DWIH São Paulo’s network, to build contacts with partners, eventual customers and centers of excellence that can help in the development or improvement of your solution for the Brazilian market.

 

Benefits offered by the acceleration program:

• Market research
• Support for pilot project development (face-to-face or remote meetings)
• One week roadshow in Brazil (airfare and accommodation included)
• Use of coworking space by a representative in São Paulo for up to six months
• Association to AHK São Paulo
• Intermediation of contacts
• Tailor-made event organized by AHK (Demo Day or similar)