Embrapa launches Soja Open Innovation notice for startups

Embrapa Soja launched today, November 13th, the 2nd edition of Soja Open Innovation - a public notice for the selection of startups and entrepreneurs interested in developing open innovation projects for the soy production system during AgroBit Brasil 2019, an event which ends today, in Londrina (PR). 

For the general manager of Embrapa Soja, José Renato Bouças Farias, the objective of Soja Open Innovation is to enable the exchange of experiences between Embrapa Soja, recognized for its expertise in soybean cultivation, and startups and entrepreneurs with their innovative ideas in digital technologies applied to agribusiness and who are familiar with the set of tools, methodologies, processes and services available via Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). “Our idea is to identify opportunities for interaction and development of partnerships in search of innovative solutions for soybean cultivation”, highlights Farias.

The technical partner prioritizes the development or improvement of solutions in the areas and lines of research indicated in the notice, available here. Among the lines of research are those related to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Sensing, Robotics, Automation, Nanotechnology, Bioinformatics, development of bioproducts, Multimedia Communication, among other solutions available. 

The evaluation of the projects will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team, made up of Embrapa researchers and external partners, considering opportunities and adherence to the company's research lines and the maturity of the proposal presented. “The notice will classify the best proposals and the finalists will have the opportunity to advance in negotiations to conclude technical cooperation contracts, which will be mentored by experts with knowledge of the challenges of the soy production system”, highlights Farias.

Soja Open Innovation will consist of three phases – approval, pre-classification and final classification for partnerships. In the first phase, interested parties need to fill out the registration and work proposal presentation forms and send a video of up to three minutes about the proposal. The second phase will consist of the selection of up to 10 proposals, pre-classified by an examining board. Those selected will go through rounds of interviews (via web conference), aiming to select finalist startups for the third phase. The announcement of the selected startups will be made in March 2020, on the website www.embrapa.br/soja/open-innovation

Service 

Soya Open Innovation – second edition 

Notice open: November 14, 2019 to January 14, 2020 

Location: Arena AgroConexão, during Agrobit Brasil, at the Ney Braga Exhibition Park, in Londrina (PR) 

Website with the notice.