AIT: A DECADE OF INNOVATION - Swissnex in Brazil

ABOUT THE AIT

A decade ago, Swissnex in Brazil, in partnership with the Leading House for the Latin American Region – University of St.Gallen (HSG), the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), launched the Academia-Industry Training (AIT) program, marking the beginning of a unique exchange between Brazilian and Swiss scientists.

The program’s primary goal is to bridge the gap between research and industry, empowering researchers-entrepreneurs to bring their high-level research to market. It provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to explore the commercial potential of their projects and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset—transforming lab discoveries into real-world solutions.

Additionally, AIT fosters international collaboration and encourages a “beyond borders” approach, offering researchers and entrepreneurs a platform to exchange best practices, understand new markets, and develop innovative applications together.

Led by Swissnex in Brazil and the Leading House for the Latin American Region (University of St.Gallen), the program consists of two phases: an initial training camp in Brazil, where Brazilian researchers-entrepreneurs connect with their Swiss peers, followed by a second camp in Switzerland, which brings both groups together to deepen their collaboration.

What it means being the leader of the AIT 10th edition?

"Celebrating 10 years of AIT Brazil is about recognizing the importance of all the startups and partners who have been part of the program, and getting excited about the ideas and collaborations yet to come. AIT is the result of great collaboration, knowledge generation, and transformation, made possible by a strong and dynamic network across Brazil and Switzerland. Leading this special edition is very meaningful, and I’m excited to see our program unfold!"

Isabela Temístocles, Program Manager leading the 10th edition of the Academia-Industry Training

THEY CAME BEFORE YOU: OUR AMBASSADORS

We’re thrilled to introduce the AIT Ambassadors — a dynamic initiative by Swissnex in Brazil and the Leading House for the Latin American Region – University of St. Gallen (HSG). This initiative is designed to strengthen the Alumni network of the Academia-Industry Training (AIT) program. Each year, we will select outstanding entrepreneurs from Brazil and Switzerland to take on this meaningful role.

What Are AIT Ambassadors?

AIT Ambassadors are not just representatives; they are key connectors in the innovation ecosystem. As proud alumni of the AIT program, they bring invaluable insights and firsthand experiences that will enrich our initiatives and activities.

By bridging the gap between academia and industry, the AIT Ambassadors play a pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. They are more than alumni — they are leaders, mentors, and collaborators who contribute to our community and the broader innovation landscape in their respective countries. Their contributions include:

Sharing Insights: Ambassadors provide unique perspectives and first-hand knowledge about the AIT program, offering advice that can inspire future participants and elevate the experience for all involved.
Building Connections: They actively recommend relevant contacts and experts for our Camps, helping us stay connected to the brightest minds and most influential players in the industry.
Fostering Relationships: With their extensive networks and understanding of the business landscape, AIT Ambassadors help Swissnex in Brazil maintain strong relationships with startups and success stories emerging from the AIT program.

Over the next year, our Ambassadors will actively engage by participating in kick-off meetings, sharing their expertise, and connecting Swissnex with local experts. We’re excited to have such passionate individuals on board and look forward to seeing the impact they’ll create!

MEET THE AIT AMBASSADORS

Bio

Renata Bannitz Fernandes
AIT 5 - 2018/19 edition
Renata was a sciencepreneur at AIT 5 and is the COO and Co-Founder of BioBreyer. Renata is a biologist with a PhD in Genetics and a postdoc in Bioprocesses. Biobreyer is a biotechnology startup that transforms microorganisms into products. Biobreyer’s two main products under development are a biopharmaceutical for treating leukemia and a sustainable hyaluronic acid – both produced by microorganisms.
Bio

Diego Stone
AIT 6 - 2019/20 edition
Diego was a sciencepreneur at the 6th edition of AIT. He is the co-founder of Krilltech Nano Agtech, a leading agritech company in Brazil focused on applying carbon nanotechnology to agriculture. He is also the CEO of Qnity, a groundbreaking healthtech focused on developing a novel technology for drug screening based on quantum electrochemistry.

He holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Specialization in Entrepreneurship from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, as well as an MBA in Agribusiness from the University of São Paulo. Diego is a mentor for the EIT Food community at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and is actively involved in leading innovation for prominent agritech communities in Brazil through the SNA Startup Hub (SNASH). In 2021, he won the Global Tech Innovator competition held by KPMG, triumphing over finalists from 20 countries at the Web Summit Lisbon.
Bio

Andrin Pelican
AIT 8 - 2021/22 edition
Andrin is the founder of Herby, an ed-tech startup that uses AI for public education. Herby offers technology that enables school diagnostics to be carried out with immediate results for the network, simplifying the evaluation process, reducing costs, and bringing information closer together
Bio

Paulo Henrique Leme
AIT 9 - 2022/23 edition
Paulo was a sciencepreneur in the AIT 9th edition and is currently a Researcher at the Federal University of Lavras. He also works at Origina.token, a platform that uses tokenization and socio-environmental compliance to create digital assets that value nature preservation. His expertise spans innovation, agritechs, and sustainable technologies.

He serves as Director of Innovation and Technology at UFLA’s Pro-Rectorate of Research and Innovation, where he coordinates the EMBRAPII Unit Zetta/UFLA and the Agritech UFLA Center for Market and Technology Studies in Agribusiness.

As an adjunct professor at UFLA, Paulo teaches entrepreneurship and marketing and is part of the Postgraduate Program in Administration. He holds a PhD, a Master’s, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Agronomy, all from UFLA. His research focuses on strategic marketing and sustainability in agribusiness, with a special emphasis on the coffee sector. Additionally, Paulo leads UFLA Jr. Administrative Consulting, the Center for Studies in Entrepreneurship, and serves as editor of the journal Organizações Rurais e Agroindustriais (OR&A).
Bio

Mohsen Falahi
AIT 9 - 2022/23 edition

Mohsen Falahi is the CEO and founder of DAAV, a company focused on innovative mobility solutions. He began inventing in the mobility space at the age of 17 and later earned his BSc and MSc in robotics and machine learning. He completed a PhD in neurofinance, exploring the intersection of neuroscience and financial decision-making, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in biorobotics at EPFL. Building on his expertise in robotics and mobility, Mohsen launched DAAV, which aims to revolutionize how mobility services are provided for passengers across the globe.