Quality of research and talent from Canada’s post-secondary institutions enticing international R&D projects
Montreal, July 24, 2023 – The Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC) is thrilled to announce a partnership with Mitacs, a Canadian not-for-profit organization that empowers innovation through a collaborative model, attracting and deploying top talent to industry, and matching need with expertise. The agreement will give Brazilian companies the opportunity to expand to Canada and to develop R&D projects together with local universities and innovation centers. In addition to attracting qualified talent and creating jobs for Canadians, the partnership will open doors to increased commercial and scientific exchange between the two countries.
“Mitacs has an ambitious plan to help create a better, more inclusive Canada by driving innovation in collaboration with higher education institutions, industry and the global community,” said John Hepburn, CEO of Mitacs. “The inclusion of Brazil in this international network will profoundly benefit Canada thanks to an increased potential to bring economic diversity to Canada, attract highly qualified talent and create jobs for Canadians”.
The South American country has been carving its place in the world for technological advancements, advancing twelve positions in the Global Innovation Index (IGI) in just four years*. The country now occupies the 2nd position among Latin American countries, behind only Chile, and has advanced in particular on topics such as digital transformation and innovation in strategic sectors, such as agriculture, energy and health.
While the country’s technology sector has been growing exponentially, the same index shows that investments in this field have decreased, challenging businesses to find new ways to develop new technologies and to bring them to market. In this scenario, Canada is becoming an attractive partner for Brazilian companies, who find here the opportunity to develop innovative ideas that will benefit both markets and the world. This can be seen in recent endeavours, such as the partnership of Brazil’s largest financial institution (Banco do Brasil) with MILA – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, and the opening of a Montreal office for HURB, Brazil’s largest online travel platform, aiming to connect with local innovation centers.
“Brazil has an incredible commercial diversity, and at the same time, Canada has technologies and innovations that will certainly benefit the business of Brazilian companies. The partnership signed with the CCBC opens the door to an immense range of options to promote commercial and scientific exchange between the two countries”, says Gina Soparlo, Senior Advisor, Business Development at Mitacs.
How it works
The Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC) has been an active player in assisting Brazilian companies to explore opportunities in Canada through the Brazil Hub, a program developed to facilitate their internationalization through market research and introductions to key partners, serving as a liaison between public and private institutions from both countries. The program started in August of 2022 with a first location in Montreal and has recently opened a second location in Edmonton to further develop the relationship with Western Canada.
In practice, companies that are part of the Brazil Hub can apply for funding through Mitacs to develop their research and innovation projects in Canada. This financial support will cover part of the costs of hiring post-secondary talent. Mitacs will make the connections between businesses and academia, in addition to providing resources to the teams involved. With the federal, provincial, and territorial funding reaching over $375 million in 2023–24 , Mitacs is eager to have CCBC contribute to its goal of delivering over 20,000 internships in one year.
“Our expectation is that, through this partnership, the companies that make up the Brazil Hub will have the opportunity to enjoy the Canadian innovation ecosystem, improving their products and services through financing and international support in a fast and agile way”, highlights Stéphane Larue, President of the CCBC in Canada.
Companies from all sectors can join the program. Some areas, however, are seen as priorities, such as: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, clean technology, quantum technology and Indigenous issues (social innovation).
About the Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada:
The Chamber of Commerce Brazil-Canada (CCBC) is an independent and non-profit organization founded in 1973. For nearly 50 years, it has been an important liaison, bringing together companies, public & private institutions, and individuals from various areas in both countries.
With over 70 employees and nearly 200 members, CCBC’s extensive network of relationships and long-standing expertise are the basis of strong trade promotion work in the Brazilian and Canadian markets, including exports, imports and investments, as well as cultural and technological exchange.
The organization has a busy agenda of events, trade missions, content publications and offers a rich ecosystem for Brazilian and Canadian companies to interact.
Learn more at: ccbc.org.br
About Mitacs:
Mitacs empowers Canadian innovation through effective partnerships that deliver solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. Mitacs assists organizations in reaching their goals, funds cutting-edge innovation, and creates job opportunities for students and postdocs.
A not-for-profit organization, Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.
Learn more at mitacs.ca.
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For more information or to schedule an interview with a spokesperson from the CCBC or Mitacs, please contact The PR Department at 416-535-3939 or [email protected].
*According to a study prepared by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations.
