Brazil's Federal Government Boosts Innovation with Major Investments in Acre and Mato Grosso

On March 3 and 6, 2026, Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, led by Minister Luciana Santos, launched significant initiatives promoting innovation and technological development in the Northern and Midwestern states of Acre and Mato Grosso.

In Rio Branco, Acre, Minister Santos and Carlos Aragão of Finep announced a federal investment package totaling R$ 50 million for companies in the Northern Region. This funding targets modernizing local business processes, particularly in the creative economy, and supports innovative startups through the recently launched Centelha III program. Over the past three years, R$ 109 million has been invested in Acre’s science and technology sector, facilitating advancements in bioeconomy, robotics, and Industry 4.0 in schools. A key infrastructure project, the Infovia do Acre, will expand digital connectivity by installing 960 kilometers of high-speed fiber optic cable linking Rio Branco to Assis Brasil and Cruzeiro do Sul. These improvements are expected to enhance internet access for schools, hospitals, and public agencies, thus fostering digital inclusion and technological growth.

Meanwhile, in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, the Finep pelo Brasil event focused on connecting researchers, universities, entrepreneurs, and companies with federal funding opportunities to drive innovation. Deputy Secretary Rodrigo Bruno Zanin highlighted accomplishments such as Unemat securing over R$ 14 million for laboratory infrastructure, alongside an additional R$ 52 million brought in through partnerships for expanding scientific infrastructure. Key funding areas include agro 4.0, bioeconomy, AI, energy, and logistics. However, challenges remain in project engineering – transforming ideas into fundable proposals. The event emphasized integration between science, private investment, and sustainability, aiming to reduce technological risks and accelerate the commercialization of research with socio-economic benefits.

Mayor Tião Bocalom of Rio Branco stressed the importance of faster, more stable internet as essential for research and governance. The federal government’s investments illustrate a strategic commitment to integrating the Amazon and Mato Grosso into Brazil’s broader national innovation agenda, leveraging science, technology, and infrastructure to promote regional economic growth and social development.