The promotion of innovation in the state of Rio is gaining momentum through a partnership between the Technological Park of UFRJ, the Scientific and Technological Park of PUC-RS (Tecnopuc) and Porto Digital, in Recife. Unprecedented in Brazil, the Softlanding program will provide the exchange among the companies installed in the three units.

"It would be more complex for an industry here in Rio to make connection to innovation projects with another region of the country. This partnership extends the possibility of interaction between the industry and the innovative companies that are resident in these parks, "says Bruno Gomes, Director of Innovation of the Firjan System.

Firjan is a member of the Board of Directors of the Technological Park of UFRJ and José Carlos Pinto, general director of the unit, participates in Firjan's Technology Business Council.

The partnership corresponds to the positive agenda of the 2016-2025 Development Map, prepared by the Federation, which proposes to strengthen the innovation environment in the state of Rio, among other points. "Our role is to create a favorable ecosystem for innovation to happen, based on the demands of the industry," explains Gomes.

Each park will reserve five vacancies in the respective co-working spaces to receive the companies, who will be able to interact with the ecosystem and partners. The first is expected to be installed between March and May of this year. The Technological Park of UFRJ is the largest in the country.

"It is a first step towards the mobility of companies that have an interest in expanding the territory. This is the first time that the great Brazilian parks have organized themselves to promote these actions together. The goal is to expand the action to a greater number of innovation environments, "says José Carlos Pinto.

He also informed that the Park is signing another partnership agreement, this time with China's TusPark, with the aim of encouraging and supporting the internationalization of technology-based companies based in both environments, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.