The first edition of the Sustainability and Innovation Award was created to bring together strategic management strengths based on the transition to a sustainable, technological, and innovative business model, jointly with the private, academic, and civil society sectors, and to foster potential collaborations in the area of corporate sustainability between Brazil and Switzerland.

The Award aims to recognize and strengthen Brazilian and Swiss companies and startups with corporate sustainability and innovation as a pillar of their business strategy and institutional culture.

It also gives visibility and opportunities for startups to develop pilots and partnerships with companies operating in Brazil.

Every year, 80 million tons of waste are generated in Brazil. Of those, about 52 million tons are not recyclable, as we need more appropriate technology to process them. However, not all recyclable residues are correctly disposed of. Less than 4% of the total waste is effectively recycled in the country. Beyond the environmental impact, the lack of proper recycling also results in a significant economic loss for the country, estimated at R$14 billion.

How can we turn this waste into value? How can we avoid emitting it in the first place?

The Team Switzerland in Brazil, represented by the Embassy of Switzerland in Brazil, Swissnex in Brazil, The Ekos Institute Brasil, The Swiss Business Hub, and SWISSCAM, is launching the very first Swiss Sustainability and Innovation Award, aiming at uniting the strengths of knowledge between Brazil and Switzerland in that area.

• Application until 09.04.2023
• Selection of the finalists by 24.04.2023
• Swiss Sustainability and Innovation Award Ceremony and Pitch Competition/Jury’s Decision on the 05.07.2023

• A prototype, product, service, or solution for the proposed challenge
• At least one representative of the startup team must be able to pitch in person at the Swiss Sustainability and Innovation Award ceremony.
• It must be possible to use the application in Brazil (it is ok if some adaptation or co-development is needed).
• An ambitious, diverse, science-based, and visionary startup team.
• A pitch deck describing the solution, the business model, how this can be applied in Brazil scenario/demands, and the startup team.

• Non-cash award.
• 3 Brazilian and 3 Swiss startups will be selected for the final pitch (which will take place on the award day, in person).
• There will be no financial support for the entrepreneurs to travel to the award/pitch competition, but the Swiss participants can combine their trips with the Innosuisse Internationalization Program.
• When registering, the startup needs to exist legally (have a CNPJ for Brazilian startups and a legal ID for Swiss startups).

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If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Innovation & Startups Program Manager, Bianca Campo.s