CNPEM’s DeepTech Acceleration Program (PACE) will drive the maturation of Brazilian startups; enrollment is open
In order to create closer ties with the startup community, the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) has announced an unprecedented leverage program. Called PACE, CNPEM’s DeepTech Acceleration Program is intended to hasten the technological maturity of Brazilian deep tech startups. Enrollment is free and currently open.
PACE will offer advantages that include a team of research and development specialists dedicated to deep tech projects, and from the outset will simplify access to CNPEM’s open facilities.
Enrollment in PACE is free and currently open; the selected startups will be accompanied for a 24-month period (Outreach/CNPEM)
According to Patricia Magalhães, manager of Innovation Consulting at CNPEM, the Center will spare no effort to support startups that have technological solutions based on more advanced and complex scientific knowledge that offers high potential to generate innovation but require sophisticated infrastructure and competencies like those available at CNPEM to resolve technological challenges that may present obstacles to accessing the market.
“The Brazilian ecosystem for supporting deep techs is still evolving. These companies have complex development solutions that take longer to reach the market, a process that involves investments, and more costly cutting-edge infrastructure. We want to expand the number of deep techs that become more attractive to capture investments and reach the phase where they gain commercial traction,” she notes.
The startups selected to participate in PACE will receive specialized technical support and take advantage of the cutting-edge research and development infrastructure at no cost to raise their technical readiness at least one level (TRL), carry out a 24-month work plan, and will be assessed by the technical team and CNPEM’s acceleration team after 12 months and again at the end of the acceleration effort at 24 months.
Requirements
To participate in the PACE program, CNPEM requires the startups to be Brazilian, with their corporate status (CNPJ) established no more than 10 years ago; their gross revenues cannot surpass R$ 16 million.
The call for participation (download here) also explains that the solution should be at the equivalent of TRL 3 or higher, and fit into one of the PACE program’s topic areas (see the complete list here). Finally, applicants may not have received risk capital investments greater than R$ 2 million (this restriction does not include research funding), and must show clear financial capacity to pay for the consumables and inputs required in the proposed project.
Deep techs must fit into at least one of the PACE topic areas
The startups that are candidates for the program have nine high-tech and high-complexity focus areas at their disposal; to apply for PACE, the solutions must be in line with at least one of the following areas:
- Biorenewables and industrial biotechnology
- Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
- Engineering and technology
- Pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals
- Nanotoxicology and nanosecurity
- Renewable materials
- Micro- and nanofabrication of sensors and devices
- Systems to produce green hydrogen
Important dates
Enrollment for the program opened on October 17, 2023, and because of the complexity of the projects, there is a calendar of scheduled activities.
Launch of public notice and registration period: 17/10/2023
Deadline for applications for Phase 1: 05/03/2024 (extended)
Announcement of applications pre-approved in Phase 1 and selected for Phase 2: 05/04/2024 (extended)
Announcement of the final list of startups validated in the TRL analysis to proceed to Phase 2: 05/29/2024 (extended)
Phase 2 pitch presentations: 10/06/2024 (extended)
Announcement of the results of the selected startups: 14/06/2024 (extended)
Signing of the Cooperation Agreement: 17/06 to 27/06/2024 (extended)
Start of the Program – kick-off meeting: 12/07/2024 (extended)
For more information
Deep techs interested in PACE can contact the program management via email at pace@cnpem.br or using the contact form.
About CNPEM
With a sophisticated and vibrant environment for research and development that is the only one of its kind in Brazil and found in only a few scientific centers in the world, the Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) is a private, non-profit organization overseen by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). The Center operates four national laboratories and Sirius, the most complex project in Brazilian science and one of the world’s most advanced synchrotron light sources. CNPEM is home to highly specialized multi-thematic teams, globally competitive lab infrastructure that is open to the scientific community, strategic lines of research, innovative projects in partnerships with the productive sector, and training for researchers and students. The Center is an environment driven by research into solutions that impact the areas of health, energy and renewable materials, agri-environmental, and quantum technologies. In 2022, with support from the Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC), CNPEM expanded its activities with the opening of the Ilum School of Science. This interdisciplinary program in science, technology, and innovation implements innovative ideas to provide a high quality free and full-time undergraduate education immersed in the research environment at CNPEM. The CNPEM 360 Platform provides visitors with a virtual immersive visit to the Center’s main environments and activities. Visit at: https://pages.cnpem.br/cnpem360/.
