Global Innovation Hotspots: A case study of São Paulo's innovation ecosystem local capabilities and global networks

Global Innovation Hotspots A case study of São Paulo’s innovation ecosystem local capabilities and global networks WIPO Development Studies Global Innovation Hotspots A case study of São Paulo’s innovation ecosystem local capabilities and global networks Prepared by Veneziano Araujo (UNICAMP), Massimiliano Coda-Zabetta (University College Dublin & University of Bordeaux CNRS-BSE)*, Renato García (UNICAMP), Ernest Miguelez (University of Bordeaux CNRS-BSE)*, and Julio Raffo (WIPO-DEDA) Acknowledgements: The report benefited from valuable comments, suggestions and review kindly offered by Sarah Cristina Ribeiro (UNICAMP), Philipp GROSSKURTH (WEF), Intan HAMDAN-LIVRAMENTO (WIPO), Eduardo Hernandez Rodriguez (Utrecht University), Federico MOSCATELLI (WIPO), Deyun Yin (HITSZ) and Maryam ZEHTABCHI (WIPO). (*) The research was also partially related with the TKC project from the French National Research Agency (ANR-17-CE26-0016). © WIPO, 2022 World Intellectual Property Organization 34, chemin des Colombettes, P.O. Box 18 CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland Attribution 4.0 IGO (CC BY 4.0 ) This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. The user is allowed to reproduce, distribute, adapt, translate and publicly perform this publication, including for commercial purposes, without explicit permission, provided that the content is accompanied by an acknowledgement that WIPO is the source and that it is clearly indicated if changes were made to the original content. Suggested citation: WIPO (2022). A case study of São Paulo’s innovation ecosystem local capabilities and global networks. Geneva: World Intellectual Property Organization. Adaptation/translation/derivatives should not carry any official emblem or logo, unless they have been approved and validated by WIPO. Please contact us via the WIPO website to obtain permission. For any derivative work, please include the following disclaimer: “The Secretariat of WIPO assumes no liability or responsibility with regard to the transformation or translation of the original content.” When content published by WIPO, such as images, graphics, trademarks or logos, is attributed to a third-party, the user of such content is solely responsible for clearing the rights with the right holder(s). To view a copy of this license, please visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 Any dispute arising under this license that cannot be settled amicably shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with Arbitration Rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) then in force. The parties shall be bound by any arbitration award rendered as a result of such arbitration as the final adjudication of such a dispute. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WIPO concerning the legal status of any country, territory or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. This publication is not intended to reflect the views of the Member States or the WIPO Secretariat. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by WIPO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Photo credit: Getty Images / wigglestick – MicrovOne Printed in Switzerland 1 Summary This report presents an in-depth study of the innovation ecosystem of São Paulo (Brazil). We use georeferenced patent, scientific publication, and economic data to characterize one of the few global innovation hotspots in Latin America and the southern hemisphere. It attempts to understand what makes São Paulo different from the rest of Brazil and the Latin American region by mapping what its main potentialities and drawbacks are. The report finds that São Paulo is rich in scientific activity, but lags behind with respect to patent production. At the same time, it is a patent leader in Brazil and the region with characteristics resembling the large innovation hotspots of the world. The report also shows where São Paulo is in the global knowledge space, and how it can leverage scientific production and global networks to upgrade into more complex technological activities. The report also reviews the main innovation policies at national and subnational level, which may partially explain the São Paulo’s success story. Keywords: São Paulo, innovation ecosystem, patents, scientific publications, clusters, geography of innovation, complexity, relatedness, Global Innovation Networks JEL: O30, F20, F60 2 "When you think about tapping into the Latin American innovation ecosystem, São Paulo comes first on the list” Michel Porcino, Manager at SP Negócios1 The above statement is possibly an accurate reflection of how São Paulo is perceived in business and innovation circles worldwi