Innovation Systems: Parks, Hubs and Incubators

The Innovation Systems, in the form of Poles, Parks and Technological Incubators, form an articulated set of agents that connect knowledge and innovation to the productive sphere. In this sense, Rio Grande do Sul has promotion programs for each of these components of the system, in order to guarantee the State the leading role in research, development and innovation in Brazil and in the world.

The Support Program for Technological Poles currently has 27 poles, which are a set of institutions gathered for the development of their region, according to the division by Regional Development Councils (Coredes). It is an effort of human resources, laboratories and equipment, whether from universities, private companies or public bodies and associations, to create processes, products or services. Each pole has at least one university as the executor of research projects that respond to the productive vocations of the region.

Technology-based incubators, on the other hand, are responsible for making the connection between scientific research, technology transfer and new product development. To support this activity in the State, there is the RS Incubadoras program. New incubators can register at any time to raise funds from the program, as there are public notices for the release of funds each year.

With regard to the Gaucho Technological Parks Program, the objective is to contribute to the expansion of investments in scientific and technological research, technological development and the incorporation of new technologies as instruments that increase the competitiveness of the state economy, with the consequent stimulus to the generation of business, work and income. This network, now made up of 12 parks accredited by the program, encourages the creation of local companies and attracts investments to the State.

The RS innovation system in numbers:

• 27 technology centers
• 12 accredited technology parks, 14 parks associated with the Gaúcha Network of Parks and Incubators (Reginpe)
• 19 accredited incubators
• At least two major startup accelerators: WOW and Ventiur
• 190 startups, in 30 cities, registered by Associação Gaúcha de Startups

Success stories:

• Tecnopuc was considered the best technology park in Brazil in 2016, having also won the National Award for Innovative Entrepreneurship
• Tecnosinos was also elected the best technology park in Brazil in 2010 and 2014
• In 2014, Tecnopuc's Raiar incubator was elected the best in Brazil by the National Association of Entities Promoting Innovative Enterprises (Anprotec)

Source: DCIT/SDECT, TECNOPUC, TECNOSINOS

InvestRS Partner Technology Parks:

OCEANTEC : Scientific and Technological Park of the Sea

The purpose of Oceantec is to promote the interaction of researchers, research laboratories and postgraduate programs with the productive sector, with the objective of developing innovative products/processes that stimulate the social and economic development of the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul. The park is being implemented and should start activities in the 2nd half of 2017. Oceantec will work with Biotechnology, Ocean Industry, Logistics, Port-Maritime Cluster, Automation, IT and Internet of Things (IoT), Chemical Industry, among others.

TECNOPUC : Scientific and Technological Park of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS)

Tecnopuc – PUCRS Scientific and Technological Park is the result of an integrated action by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), the government and companies with the aim of creating a habitat for innovation aimed at increasing the competitiveness of its actors , improve the quality of life of its communities and make the academic competence of the university available to society, thus promoting scientific and technological development in the region. It is a multisectoral Scientific and Technological Park, with more than 130 companies (HP, Microsoft, Stefanini, Totvs, Thoughtworks, ThyssenKrup, Sicredi, Getnet, etc.), focused on Information and Communication Technology, Life Sciences, Energy and Environment and Industry Creative. It has institutes and research centers in Neurosciences, Nanotechnology, Molecular and Functional Biology, Tuberculosis, Photovoltaic Solar Energy, Oil and Natural Resources, etc.

TECNOSINOS : Technological Park of São Leopoldo

Located in São Leopoldo, in the Vale do Sinos region, Tecnosinos was born in 1993 by the strength of local entrepreneurs to strengthen the technology-based economy in the region. Today, the park is responsible for generating thousands of jobs, for developing an entrepreneurial culture and for putting the city's name on the world map. Currently, there are 80 national and international companies, revenues of more than R$ 2.5 billion, with emphasis on the Information Technology segments; Automation, Engineering and Semiconductors; Communication and Digital Convergence; Technologies for Health and Socio-environmental Technologies. Large global companies join dozens of startups incubated and graduated at the Innovation and Technology Unit (Unitec), generating innovation and moving the economy even further. The young and cosmopolitan environment places Rio Grande do Sul as a technology cluster, attracting national and international companies every year and developing innovation and sustainability.
The governance of Tecnosinos is based on a triple helix model between the Commercial, Industrial and Services and Technology Association of São Leopoldo (Acist-SL), the University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos (Unisinos) and the City Hall of São Leopoldo. Unitec is the university arm of Tecnosinos. Through it, Unisinos is responsible for the executive management of the park. The participation of an educational institution supports the constant development of the environment, offering research and qualified labor for companies. Its presence triggers an essential cycle of economic and social growth in the municipality.

TECNOUNISC : Regional Scientific and Technological Park

TecnoUnisc is an environment for the production and management of technologies aimed at its areas of activity, being a favorable place for the development of technology-based, entrepreneurial and innovative companies. Its purpose is to develop activities that promote interaction and synergy between research and development activities, which generate innovative products, processes and services. This happens through a continuous flow of knowledge and technology transfer between university, companies, state and society. Currently, the park has 17 companies from the Information Technology, Internet of Things, Biotechnology, Oleochemistry, Environmental Technology and Industrial Systems and Processes segments.

ZENIT : Scientific and Technological Park of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)

Zenit – UFRGS Scientific and Technological Park was created in 2012, with the aim of fostering the university's research, innovation and entrepreneurship system through new ideas that transform the productive sector and bring innovative products and services to society. Zenit has five technology incubators that house 27 innovative ventures from different sectors, mainly Information Technology, Engineering and Physics and Biotechnology.

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