According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), considered the global reference for concepts and methodology in the field, the concept of innovation is: “a new or improved product or process (or a combination of both) that differs significantly from previous products or processes and has been introduced to the market or put into use by the company”.

When this "new" aligns with sustainability, the positive impact can be even greater as it can optimize a series of processes in different areas of production and consumption, such as: promoting the more efficient use of raw materials or products, expanding the use of waste in production, facilitating proper disposal, reducing costs, shortening procedures, and even achieving a self-sustaining and circular cycle, thus bringing numerous benefits to cities and their populations.

In 2020, ICLEI began a journey to encourage innovation for the sustainable development of cities. This is the ICLEI Innovation Program, which focuses on supporting startups that bring circular and resilient solutions to local governments. The first round was held in partnership with the City Hall of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and had the theme "Urban Tree Planting and Green Areas".

In the second cycle of ICLEI Innovation, the challenge was to propose sustainable innovation focused on... resilient and circular food systems. In partnership with the municipality of Porto Alegre, through the Innovation Office, and the Foodtech Alliance of Rio Grande do Sul, the ICLEI program accelerated five startups selected through a call for proposals published in early 2023. The chosen startups were announced during the... South Summit, an entrepreneurship and innovation event that brought together startups, investors, and entrepreneurs to exchange experiences, identify trends and business opportunities, and promote the entrepreneurial ecosystem, in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.

Following the mentoring period, the cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups demonstrate their progress on the journey. The event will be for invited guests and takes place alongside the 2nd ICLEI Southern Regional Meeting, where companies will have the opportunity to establish connections with the public sector, academia, investors, and the private sector. "Promoting Demo Day within the official program of this event further increases the opportunity for..." Networking  "This is especially important for the startups in the program, given the high level of the participants at the Meeting," says Érika Azevedo, Senior Fellow who leads the 2nd round of ICLEI Innovation in Porto Alegre.

Meet the startups from the 2nd Round of ICLEI Innovation:

✅ Bioplix 

It develops technologies based on formulations with natural, biodegradable polymers from renewable sources.

✅ Igapó

It offers solutions for companies to generate a positive impact through the treatment of organic waste.

✅ Olive+

Reusing waste from olive growing in a sustainable way, transforming it into food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

✅ Nourishing Solutions

It seeks to simplify food producer regulation by using technology to compile key legal requirements, identifying the producer's compliance status.

✅ Bioma Farms

Smart urban vertical farms for producing vegetables in a controlled environment at the point of sale.

The initiative is being carried out through the coordination of ICLEI South America, in partnership with the Innovation Office of Porto Alegre City Hall, and has the support of MRV, Foodtech Alliance RS, Happy Agreement, Tecnopuc, Unisinos, Inovatec UFSM, Pulsar – UFSM Incubator, Gaúcha Network of Innovation Environments (Reginp), FAO e Food of Tomorrow Institute.

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Demo Day for the 2nd round of the ICLEI Innovation Program
(This is part of the official program of the 2nd ICLEI South Regional Meeting)

Data: August 16, 2023 (Wednesday)

Local Farol Santander (Rua Sete de Setembro, 1028 – Centro Histórico, Porto Alegre – RS)

➡️ Pre-registration via the link  ⬅️