The Unicamp ecosystem was highlighted at the opening of the World Academic Summit of Times Higher Education (THE), held at the University of Toronto, Canada. In the inaugural lecture, held at the beginning of September, the CEO of Elsevier, Kumsal Bayazit, compared the results of Unicamp's daughter companies with data from Russell Group, in the United Kingdom, and the University of California (UC), in the United States.
The more than a thousand daughter companies created by Unicamp alumni were cited as examples of the positive impact that universities can generate, acting as engines of economic development. Unicorn daughter companies, such as the group mobile, which controls the iFoodAnd Fifth floor, were mentioned. The Russell Group, which represents 24 of the UK's leading higher education institutions, is notable for generating £87 billion in economic value in the UK in 2017. UC contributed around $82 billion to economic output of California, according to data released in 2021.
For Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, senior vice-president of research networks at Elsevier – one of the main scientific publishers in the world -, this result reflects the opportunities that Unicamp offers as a university institution. For the professor emeritus of the Institute of Physics and former dean of Unicamp, the greatest contribution that a university can make to society is the training of its students.
“The case of Unicamp's daughter companies is recognized worldwide due to the scale of Unicamp's achievements and academic recognition. There are not many universities with more than a thousand companies created by their students, professors and staff, and which maintain some connection with the university. The fact that Unicamp follows its daughter companies is also unique”, points out the professor.
Criteria for excellence
For the executive director of Inova Unicamp, Ana Frattini, the recognition shows the Innovation Agency's commitment to strengthening social and economic development by getting closer to students, alumni and teachers. They are invited to various training, improvement and experience exchange events, such as the Unicamp Ventures Annual Meeting, which will take place in the second half of October. “Students and alumni find in our ecosystem an environment conducive to continuing their education, with entrepreneurship courses, stimulation of scientific and technological innovation and the development of new ventures and cooperation projects. We support the transfer of technologies with Inova Unicamp and the formation and maintenance of innovative companies through the Unicamp Incubator and Scientific and Technological Park”, says Frattini.
The numbers prove the strengthening of this bridge between research, entrepreneurship and innovation. The 2020 Unicamp Daughter Companies Report showed these companies had revenues of 8 billion reais, maintaining more than 33 jobs in the country. The preview of the 2021 report indicates an increase in these numbers, even in the most acute period of the pandemic. The data will be released on October 21st during the Unicamp Ventures Annual Meeting.
“The case of daughter companies, which is one of Unicamp's main achievements, but not the only one, helps to show that the benefit is not small: more than 30 thousand jobs created and growing annual revenue for companies, far exceeding the cost of the university”, concludes Brito Cruz.
Learn more about THE World Academic Summit
The World Academic Summit is an annual event that brings together leaders from higher education, research, industry and government to share best practices in developing and leading world-class universities, innovation and research.
The first event took place in Singapore, in 2013, and its theme was global innovation. In recent years, the summit has been held in different locations, focusing on specific topics and promoting the Times Higher Education (THE), a ranking university considered one of the most relevant in the world.
Find out more about the Unicamp Ventures Annual Meeting
The Unicamp Ventures Annual Meeting is the main event connecting entrepreneurs from the Unicamp ecosystem with students and researchers who want to learn about the world of entrepreneurship. The 16th edition of the Unicamp Ventures Annual Meeting will take place on October 21st. At the event, the new numbers of Unicamp's daughter companies, collected and analyzed by the Unicamp Innovation Agency, will be disclosed, as well as success stories and pitches of the finalist companies for the Unicamp Entrepreneur Award. Participation in the virtual meeting is free and open to all interested parties.
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Organization: Unicamp, Inova, Unicamp Ventures
Sponsorship: Agência Sabiá, Alcance Innovation, CI&T, ClarkeModet, Matera, Movile, Neger Telecom and Via Consulting
Support: Anjos do Brasil, Campinas Tech, Castelo Creative Space, FEA Angels, Liga Empreendedora, Núcleo Campinas, UniAngels and Venture Hub
Original article published on the Inova Unicamp Innovation Agency website.
