Partnerships Are Key to Startup Success in the Energy Sector
Experts from FINEP, EMBRAPII, and consultants highlight during iUP Innovation Connections — a parallel event taking place at OTC Brasil 2025 — that beyond financing, startups need ecosystem alignment and practical testing opportunities to overcome the “valley of death.”
Rio de Janeiro, October 29, 2025 – The afternoon sessions on Wednesday (29) at iUP Innovation Connections, the innovation event held during OTC Brasil 2025, deepened the discussion on the real challenges faced by startups beyond access to funding. The consensus among experts from development agencies and market consultants was clear: innovation success in Brazil now depends on strategic alignment and technical partnerships that enable the practical validation of new technologies.
During the panel “Fostering Innovation Beyond Regulated RD&I,” leaders from organizations such as FINEP, ABGI, EMBRAPII, and APEX emphasized the need to go beyond regulated investments. Speakers noted that Brazil already has a robust portfolio of support mechanisms for entrepreneurs, but must strengthen the connection between domestic and international markets and focus on developing solutions for the industry’s real challenges.
Paulo Rezende, Energy Transition Manager at FINEP, summarized the current scenario: “We have skilled professionals, we have companies, and we have an extraordinary convergence of factors at this moment.” He pointed out that the country already has public policies and resources in place, but the main challenge is “to align these elements so that Brazil can shine as it deserves.”
Also participating in this panel were Carolina Rocha, CEO of ABGI; Marcela Mazzoni, Head of New Programs and Strategic Partnerships at EMBRAPII; and Carlos Padilla, Head of Investment at APEX. The discussion was moderated by Cristiane Moura, Senior Innovation & Sustainability Manager at BIP Consulting.
This need for “alignment” was further explored in the panel focused on the challenges faced by startups. Commenting on the topic, Antônio Batista, consultant at VITA Digital Soluções, explained why financing alone is not enough. “I know many startups that obtained innovation funding but still fell into the valley of death. One of the reasons is that money alone is not the answer,” he said.
According to Batista, the oil and gas sector has particularly high requirements for certifications. “As valuable as financial resources are, the opportunity to test a solution is equally important. The oil industry does not buy anything that hasn’t been certified or approved,” he added. He highlighted initiatives such as the NAVE Program, sponsored by nine companies in the sector and managed by IBP under the ANP RD&I clause, as a model that promotes technical integration and provides startups with real conditions for practical application. With more than R$ 26 million allocated to selected startups, the program lays the foundation for their maturation and long-term survival in the market.
The iUP Innovation Connections, IBP’s innovation hub, runs until Thursday (30) at OTC Brasil 2025, with the goal of connecting different stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem.
About OTC Brasil
OTC Brasil 2025 is being held at ExpoRio Cidade Nova, from October 28 to 30, and is organized by the Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute (IBP) and the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC).
The event is sponsored by Petrobras (Master Sponsor); Shell and TotalEnergies (Diamond Sponsors); Equinor, ExxonMobil, Petronas, PRIO, and TechnipFMC (Platinum Sponsors); Brava, Chevron, and Repsol Sinopec (Gold Sponsors); bp (Silver Sponsor); and OceanPact, PERBRAS, Vallourec, and Tenaris (Bronze Sponsors).
EcoPetrol Brasil sponsors the Club Offshore, BTG Pactual Advisors is the Official Bank, and the Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat for Energy and the Blue Economy (Seenemar) is a Strategic Partner. United Airlines is the Official Airline, and S&P Global Commodity Insights is the Knowledge Partner. B&T XP serves as the Official FX Broker, Ambipar as the Official Emissions Offset Partner, and Sobena as the Guest Association.
The event’s media partners include eixos, Petro&Química, Brasil Energia, Tn Petróleo, Upstream, Offshore, and Oil & Gas Journal, and it also has institutional support from ABEEMAR, ABEMI, ABESPETRO, ABIMAQ, ABPIP, ABRACO, AHK Mercosul, Arpel, CESAR, EIC, Energy Workforce & Technology Council, Firjan SENAI SESI, IADC, IAPG, Rede Petro ES, SBGf, Syndarma, Abeam, and Visit Rio.
