02/14/2017 11h24

Representatives of British and Brazilian companies search alternatives for smart cities at Investe SP

Event promoted by Newton Fund brought together about 70 people to discuss urban solutions with social impacts through presentations and networking

Investe São Paulo
  • Download Francisco Rosa/ISP

    Event was held at the headquarters of Investe SP

  • Download Francisco Rosa/ISP

    We are here to help you to connect,” said Costa at the event opening

  • Download Francisco Rosa/ISP

    The idea of the workshop is to promote the integration between British and Brazilian companies that offer technological solutions for urban centers

  • Download Francisco Rosa/ISP

    Event includes presentations, startup pitch decks and spaces for networking

On January 23, approximately 70 representatives of Brazilian and British companies engaged in the development of urban solutions with social and economic impacts participated in a workshop held at the headquarters of Investe São Paulo. The Agency is associated with the Department of Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation.

The event is promoted by the British Embassy through the Newton Fund and is part of the schedule of a mission to Brazil organized by the institution with 14 British companies in the sector. The same workshop will also be held in Belo Horizonte (MG).

The director of Investe SP, Sérgio Costa, welcomed the participants, explaining the Agency’s work in the provision of services free of charge to companies that want to settle in the state. “São Paulo is a reference in innovation and technological development in Brazil, and it is our role to help businesses to connect with innovation in other parts of the world,” he said.

The meetings between British and Brazilian companies will focus on intelligent planning, including data analysis, technology and innovation. One example is the development of integrated urban systems, smart mobility (with traffic sign sensors, pollution sensors) and water management.

“The investment in smart cities has gained momentum in recent years in view of the current global urban scenario. About 3.7 billion people live in cities today, a figure that will reach 7 billion by 2050. The uncontrolled growth of urban centers demand better planning, and in this context, Brazil and the UK can work together to create solutions that address the economic, social and environmental challenges of the cities of the future,” said Wasim Mir, Chargé d’Affaires of the British Embassy.

Among the British companies coming to Brazil are Digital Catapult and Future Cities Catapult, centers with government support for the progress of smart cities and innovation that bring together companies, universities and municipal leaders to make cities a better place to live. Other companies that have confirmed their presence were Advizzo (leader in urban mobility solutions) and Institute for Environmental Analytics (specialist in big data, Internet of things and smart grids).

This mission is part of the Newton Fund’s £4M call focused on innovation, launched in November 2016, a partnership between Innovate UK and MDIC/BNDES/EMBRAPII. This bidding is open to companies interested in developing technological solutions in the areas of integration and governance of cities, urban infrastructure, smart mobility and sustainable urban environments. The call is open until May 3.

About UK Government’s Newton Fund

The Newton Fund is part of a £735 million UK investment to 2021, in 16 partner countries, to build partnerships in science and innovation to promote economic development, social welfare and sustainable long-term growth. The Newton Fund is managed by UK’s Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and delivered through delivery partners, including: Research Councils UK, UK Academies, the British Council, Innovate UK and UK Met Office. Follow the Newton Fund on Twitter (@NewtonFund) or visit its official website at www.newtonfund.ac.uk.