Paraná launches R$20 million Nexus program to fund agribusiness tech projects

The Paraná state government, through the Nexus Open Innovation programme, is accepting applications until 3 July 2026 to select ten agribusiness projects from local companies with annual revenue of at least R$ 4.8 million. Eligible projects must address technological challenges in genomics or bioinformatics and can receive up to R$ 2 million in non‑repayable funding, with a total pool of R$ 20 million.

The programme pairs selected firms with deep‑tech startups, research institutes and universities, using the BRDE Labs platform of the Banco Regional de Desenvolvimento do Extremo Sul. It aims to accelerate solutions in genetic improvement, bio‑inputs, biopesticides, agronomic data integration and other efficiency‑boosting technologies, turning university research into market‑ready products for the state’s agricultural value chain. Coordination is led by the Secretaria da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, with support from the Secretaria da Inovação e Inteligência Artificial, Fundação Araucária, BRDE and Finep.