For Moinho, innovation means creating value for 21st-century society
The Caldeira Institute, in Porto Alegre, was founded by 42 major companies in Rio Grande do Sul
They serve as sources of inspiration for prospecting and benchmarking efforts aimed at developing the Moinho innovation hub. Initiatives such as Instituto Caldeira, Onovolab, and Órbi Conecta, when combined, foster the creation of innovative ecosystems in various Brazilian states, based on the fundamental principles of collaboration and cooperation. By bringing together traditional brands, governments, universities, and startups, they are able to harness the potential of each sector to encourage new ways of doing business and thriving, guided by concepts such as ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
But what exactly is innovation, and why is it so vital in today’s world? Much more than a technological phenomenon, innovation means breaking away from ingrained ways of thinking and acting; it is, therefore, much more a phenomenon of social transformation. This is why it is believed to be so difficult to put into practice, due to its direct connection to transformation—especially of thought—while the beliefs that characterize the business world remain firmly rooted in outdated production methods that have no connection to sustainability goals. Innovation, above all, requires creativity and courage to chart a course that generates value for a new economy. The economy of the 21st century.
These are the main reasons why Moinho is exploring innovation hubs in Brazil, such as Instituto Caldeira in Porto Alegre (RS), Onovolab in São Carlos and Indaiatuba (SP), Civi-co and OásisLab in São Paulo (SP), Orbi, P7 Criativo, and Mining Hub in Belo Horizonte (MG), ACATE in Florianópolis (SC), and Hotmilk and Vale do Pinhão in Curitiba (PR). Abroad, inspiration comes from LxFactory (Lisbon), Station F (Paris), and Base (Milan).
Given their significance to Brazil’s innovation ecosystem, it’s worth taking a brief look at some of them.
Caldeira Institute
A nonprofit organization, it connects people and initiatives through an innovation hub and its community, which seeks to enhance competitiveness and foster the new economy ecosystem. Founded by 42 major companies in Rio Grande do Sul, its purpose is to drive positive and tangible change in the state, based on innovation. Caldeira connects major brands, startups, universities, and government agencies to promote the digital transformation of businesses and foster the state’s ecosystem.
Visit:institutocaldeira.org.br
ONOVOLAB
“Ordinary people don’t change the world,” reads one of the featured quotes on the ONOVOLAB website. An innovation ecosystem that brings together communities of innovators in five cities in the interior of São Paulo and in Porto Alegre (RS), capable of uniting different “species” willing to foster and develop innovation. Among them are universities, funding agencies, startups, and corporations that benefit from services such as shared workspaces, an events calendar, and a marketplace.
Visit: onovolab.com
Órbi Conecta
One of Brazil’s pioneers, it is a hub for innovation and digital entrepreneurship based in Belo Horizonte. It was founded in 2017 by the San Pedro Valley startup community, in partnership with three major companies from Minas Gerais: Inter, MRV, and Localiza. Órbi Conecta positions itself as a place to foster connections and build desirable futures, bringing together startups, corporations, and talent to drive the technology and innovation market. Its three pillars are Órbi for Startups, Órbi for Corporates, and Órbi Academy.
Check out: orbi.co
