The Santo André Technology Park Innovation Hub has a new member. Incopel, a company that manufactures equipment for the electrical sector, has signed a membership agreement and will now participate in and promote open innovation challenges through the Technology Park.
Last Monday (the 26th), the company was visited by Evandro Banzato, Santo André’s Secretary of Development and Job Creation, and Ricardo Magnani, Technical Director of the Santo André Technology Park, who toured Incopel’s manufacturing plant and formalized the partnership.
According to Evandro Banzato, Santo André’s Secretary of Development and Job Creation, this close relationship with a regional player that provides services to major industries is essential for keeping industries in the ABC region and attracting new companies.
“Energy efficiency is a widely discussed topic among large companies, and the participation of Incopel—yet another asset in the ABC region—is most welcome. The discussion among large companies regarding energy efficiency is essential for the sustainability of many of the businesses and activities here. Incopel is a company that works closely with these major players in energy generation, and its participation in the Innovation Hub further strengthens our relationship with the region’s major industries,” said Banzato.
Founded in Santo André in 1990, the company has its own facilities for project development and the manufacture of electrical boxes and cabinets for a wide range of market segments, with equipment built in accordance with technical specifications and current standards, from low voltage to high voltage.
With technical expertise in electricity and industrial automation, Incopel provides consulting services to companies, from the planning stage through the implementation of its products and projects in Brazil and around the world. Its products include voltage regulators and power semiconductors. The company’s clients include the Itaipu Power Plant, General Electric, Unilever, EDP, and Siemens, among others.
According to Incopel’s commercial director, José Wanderley da Silva, the company turned to the Technology Park because of the need to expand its business. “We want to expand our technology operations, including engineering, construction, and the promotion of the product as a whole to the Latin American market. We want to establish a foothold in the ABC region—more specifically in Santo André—because we believe it is a city that can provide the technological resources we need to expand our operations,” said Silva.
With revenue of R$ 11 million in 2023, the company is currently headquartered in Capuava, Mauá, but plans to expand production by relocating to Santo André, with revenue expected to rise to R$ 20 million by 2025. Over the next two years, investments are projected to be in the range of R$ 6 million.
Currently, the Santo André Technology Park’s Open Innovation Hub includes the following members: Cofip ABC, Patriani, SYN Prop & Tech, Hoppen & Ribeiro, Mercedes-Benz, Rhodia Solvay Group, Festo, Tim, Prometeon Tyre Group, General Motors, Hion Soluções e Tecnologia, Digisystem, and Insider Store.
Currently, the Santo André Technology Park operates a variety of programs and projects. In addition to the Open Innovation Hub, it also includes the Technology Services Bureau, ConectCidade, Innovation Environments, and CapacitaTech. Through the Bureau and the Hub, for example, it was possible to secure more than R$ 17 million in funding for innovation-promotion projects alone, bringing together companies, startups, and universities.
To continue driving this transformation and reach small businesses and companies more effectively, the IoT Lab project will also provide IoT device kits and other technological resources to support the digital transformation process in these businesses. Thus, with greater access to technology and innovation, businesses become more competitive, leading to higher income, better jobs, more opportunities, and a better quality of life in Santo André.
CITE – Located in the former Rhodia Química building on Avenida dos Estados, which is undergoing a complete renovation and being adapted to its new purpose, the Center for Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship will feature areas for exhibitions, events, and presentations, as well as spaces for partner institutions and training on the ground floor. On the upper floor, it will include integrated rooms for meetings, administrative support, coworking, and cobusiness, among other activities.
Cite will be yet another tool that will help achieve the Santo André Technology Park’s goal: to operate as a network to promote economic development and wealth creation through a collective, concerted effort that brings together all the forces of the city’s innovation ecosystem.
For the construction work at the site, which is expected to be completed in early 2025, R$ 27 million is being invested from the Ministry of Regional Development, made available through Caixa Econômica Federal, a matching contribution of R$ 14 million from the Santo André City Government, in addition to another R$ 10 million that was approved through the public call for proposals issued by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation/Finep/FNDC/CT – Verde Amarelo, a public selection process for proposals to support technology parks in the implementation and operation phases.