I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

At the 5^th BRICS STI Ministerial Meeting (Hangzhou, 07/18/17), the BRICS countries adopted the “BRICS Action Plan for Innovation Cooperation 2017-2020” (Innovation Action Plan, hereintafter) as a tool to facilitate innovation-driven development for sustainable development of the world economy.

One of the deliverables of the Innovation Action Plan was the “creation of networks of science parks, technology business incubators and SMEs, where the innovation actually happens”. This goal was later supported by the BRICS leaders at the Xiamen Summit (09/04/17, §12) and at the Johannesburg Summit (07/26/18, §56).

The STIEP Working Group is responsible for the development of mechanisms to implement the Innovation Action Plan. In view of that, Brazil proposes to establish a formal network that would encompass some of the main science and technology parks, incubators and accelerators of the BRICS countries: the Innovation BRICS Network (iBRICS Network).

II. OBJECTIVE

            The iBRICS Network aims to be a mechanism for direct dialogue, mutual support, joint-projects and exchange of best practices among science and technology parks, incubators and accelerators of technology-based SMEs, and other innovative organizations of the BRICS countries.

III. STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE

            The iBRICS Network aims to be an action-oriented multi-stakeholder platform that will be governed in its day-to-day activities by a Steering Committee composed of representatives of science and technology parks, incubators and accelerators of the BRICS countries. No administrative structure or regular financial contributions are expected in such flexible and dynamic network. The iBRICS Network will report style="margin-bottom:3.1pt;mso-para-margin-bottom:.2gd; text-indent:35.4pt">All science and technology parks, incubators and accelerators of SMEs, and other innovative organizations of the BRICS countries could become members of the iBRICS Network. Members will get access to the style="margin-bottom:3.1pt;mso-para-margin-bottom:.2gd"> 

IV. GUIDELINES

The iBRICS Network would focus style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom: 3.1pt;margin-left:36.0pt;mso-para-margin-top:0cm;mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.2gd;mso-para-margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt; mso-char-indent-count:0;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">1.      Foster dialogue: to build direct channels of communications (online platforms, matchmaking apps, infoways, etc.) between science and technology parks, incubators, accelerators and other innovative organizations of the BRICS countries.

2.      Capacity-building: to organize joint-training courses style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom: 3.1pt;margin-left:36.0pt;mso-para-margin-top:0cm;mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.2gd;mso-para-margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt; mso-char-indent-count:0;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">3.      Cross-incubation: to facilitate the transnational establishment of small and medium technology-based enterprises (“startups”) from style="margin-top:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom: 3.1pt;margin-left:36.0pt;mso-para-margin-top:0cm;mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.2gd;mso-para-margin-left:36.0pt;text-indent:-18.0pt; mso-char-indent-count:0;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">4.      Soft-landing: to facilitate the exchange of high-tech enterprises between the markets of the BRICS countries through specific “softlanding” strategies.

5.      Inclusive and sustainable innovation: to foster the participation of innovative SMEs created by entrepreneurs from different gender, ethnic, religious and social backgrounds; or which offer a technology-based solution to solve environmental or social problems. Promoting the youth innovation and entrepreneurship is also a relevant goal to be addressed by the special programs of the iBRICS Network.

V. IMPLEMENTATION

In order to build a consensus style="margin-bottom:3.1pt;mso-para-margin-bottom:.2gd; text-indent:35.4pt">To follow-up style="margin-bottom:3.1pt;mso-para-margin-bottom:.2gd; text-indent:35.4pt">
Agenda

iBRICS Network: integrating innovative ecosystems

09h00 – 12h00: Building a network: roundtable discussions style="text-align:justify">Participants: managers and specialists of science and technology parks, technology incubators and accelerators of small and medium enterprises from the BRICS countries (participants of the Panels 2 and 3 of the “International Seminar style="text-align:justify"> 

14h00-17h00: Bilateral Meetings

Participants: science and technology parks, technology incubators, accelerators and associations of innovative business from the BRICS countries.

Registration

 Limited seats are available and participation is subject to the approval of the organization committee.