MCTI/Finep announces R$ 80 million economic grant for AI in startups

Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation projects in startups will be in the thematic lines: Agro, Health, Industry, Smart Cities and Tourism

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations (MCTI), released this call to select Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation projects in startups, in the thematic lines: Agro 4.0, Health 4.0, Industry 4.0 and Cities Smart and Tourism 4.0.

The new public notice highlights the work that has been carried out since 2019, in the development of artificial intelligence and 4.0 technologies in the country, with investments exceeding R$ 100 million.

In all, there will be R$ 80 million in economic subsidy resources, which do not need to be returned to the Federal Government, and, of the total, R$ 20 million will be distributed to each thematic area of the Public Notice.

The resource will be granted through the Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP/MCTI), a public company linked to the ministry. The money comes from the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT).

Brazilian companies, individually or together with other national companies, can participate in the selection. The objective of the Program is precisely to promote the partnership between startups, companies and other institutions for technological development in Artificial Intelligence.

The term of execution of the project must be up to three years, extendable, justifiably, at the discretion of FINEP/MCTI and registrations continue until June 2022 on the Finep portal: http://www.finep.gov.br

Historic

In 2020, FINEP/MCTI launched a notice of economic subsidy, in the amount of R$ 50 million, to support innovation projects involving 4.0 technologies. MCTI selected, through a public notice with Fapesp and CGI.Br, six artificial intelligence centers that will receive up to R$ 60 million in 5 years.

Another important public policy to be highlighted is the IA² MCTI Program, which supports research and development projects aimed at developing solutions in Artificial Intelligence. The program has a national scope and creates an important opportunity to support investments in R&D projects, budgeted at up to R$ 500 thousand. To date, the initiative has already selected 100 projects for pre-acceleration, which received mentoring and technical support from registered ICTs and accelerators with applied experience in AI.

Currently, 31 startups are being accelerated and developing their projects in AI, so that they can connect with Anchor Companies. As an example of success, one of the participating startups that received R$ 250 thousand in investments from the program, managed to raise more R$ 3 million and was acquired by R$ 20 million, which demonstrates the high capacity of the IA² MCTI to attract private investments and generate invoices .

If your company has an innovation project in Artificial Intelligence within the thematic lines mentioned in the public notice, and needs investment to materialize your idea or improve it, now is the time!

Check the details of the call for proposals and count on the GAC to submit your project! http://www.finep.gov.br/chamadas-publicas/chamadapublica/676

We are available to guide you and contribute to the strengthening of innovation within your company.