FINEP
FINEP is Brazil's federal public innovation funding agency, linked to MCTI, providing reimbursable credit, non-reimbursable grants, and venture capital investments to companies, research institutions, universities, and cooperatives across strategic sectors.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1967
- HeadquartersRio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FINEP does
FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos) is a Brazilian federal public company (empresa pública) founded in 1967 and linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), operating as Brazil's principal public innovation funding agency. Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro with 501-1,000 employees, FINEP manages the FNDCT (Fundo Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico) and 17 sectoral funds covering energy, health, agribusiness, minerals, biotechnology, aerospace, and other strategic sectors. The agency offers three core service lines: reimbursable credit (subsidized financing using TJLP, IPCA, and TR-based contractual currencies with spread components), non-reimbursable funding (grants and economic subsidies distributed via public calls), and indirect investment (limited-participation in venture capital funds such as FIP Antler Brasil I, FIP Nordeste Capital Semente, and FIP Conexões Startups).
The underlying operating model combines direct financing platforms with a distribution network of state-level FAPs, partner financial agents, BNDES, OCB, and sector associations. Customers include medium and large enterprises (reimbursable credit), micro/small/medium companies (Tecnova and partner-operated credit), Scientific Technological and Innovation Institutions (ICTs) including universities and research centers, venture capital funds, cooperatives (since January 2026), and government entities such as Embrapa. Pricing is publicly disclosed and subsidy-based rather than market-driven: reimbursable loans use contractual currencies (URTJ-01, UR-IPCA, UR-TR) for monetary correction, while grants require no repayment if project terms are met. The TIV (Taxa de Inspeção e Vigilância) fee is charged for project monitoring.
FINEP's reach has scaled materially under the Nova Indústria Brasil (NIB) industrial policy, with R$36.4 billion in innovation projects contracted over 2023-2025, R$41 billion invested since 2023, and a R$140 billion partnership with BNDES through December 2026. The go-to-market approach is sales-led but operates through public calls for proposals, regional events (Finep pelo Brasil with 12,000+ participants), and inter-institutional partnerships rather than traditional outbound sales. Notably, FINEP does not generate commercial revenue in the conventional sense — it administers government funding programs with structural dependence on federal budget allocations and sectoral fund contributions.
FINEP firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FINEP
- Legal name
- Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos
- Website
- http://www.finep.gov.br
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1967
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- FINEP is Brazil's federal public innovation funding agency, linked to MCTI, providing reimbursable credit, non-reimbursable grants, and venture capital investments to companies, research institutions, universities, and cooperatives across strategic sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FINEP industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Development Finance
- NAICS
- Nondepository Credit Intermediation (5222), Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522)
- SIC
- Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111), Miscellaneous Business Credit Institution (6159)
- akta.pro primary industry
- National Development Banks & State Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) (BPADACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- SME, Microfinance & Financial Inclusion Facilities (BPADACAI), Green/Climate Development Banks & Funds (FSABAKAH)
Keywords
Where FINEP is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rio De Janeiro
- HQ country
- Brazil
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices2 records
Markets served
FINEP business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Reimbursable Credit (Financiamento Reembolsável): Finep provides loans to companies and institutions at subsidized rates, with interest rates based on TJLP (Taxa de Juros de Longo Prazo), IPCA, or TR (Taxa Referencial). Contracts use contractual currencies (URTJ-01, UR-IPCA, UR-TR) for monetary correction and include spread components for Finep's remuneration. The agency charges TIV (Taxa de Inspeção e Vigilância) for project monitoring.
- Non-Reimbursable Funding (Financiamento Não Reembolsável): Grants and subsidies from FNDCT for companies and Scientific, Technological and Innovation Institutions (ICTs), distributed through public calls and programs like Tecnova, with resources not required to be repaid if project terms are met.
- Indirect Investment (Investimento Indireto): Finep invests in venture capital funds (FIPs) as a limited partner, supporting startups and innovative companies at various stages, including seed, early-stage, and growth equity investments through funds like FIP Nordeste Capital Semente, FIP Antler Brasil I, and FIP Conexões Startups.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Reimbursable Credit for Medium and Large Companies |
| Subscription | Monthly | Reimbursable Credit Operated by Partner Agents |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Reimbursable Funding for Companies and ICTs |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Indirect Investment through Venture Capital Funds |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
FINEP product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FINEP is a Brazilian federal public innovation funding agency that provides three core financing instruments: reimbursable credit (subsidized loans at TJLP, IPCA, or TR-based rates) for medium and large companies; non-reimbursable grants (subvenção econômica) for companies and Scientific, Technological and Innovation Institutions (ICTs); and indirect venture capital investments through investment funds (FIPs). These core services are delivered through specific programs including Tecnova for small companies, Mais Inovação Brasil under the Nova Indústria Brasil industrial policy, and thematic programs targeting mining, defense, clean energy, and applied research.
Product overview
FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos) is Brazil's primary public innovation funding agency, operating as a government-linked organization that provides multiple financing instruments rather than a single unified product. The core offering consists of three main service categories: Credit (reimbursable financing for medium and large enterprises), Non-Reimbursable Funding (grants for companies and research institutions), and Indirect Investment (venture capital through investment funds). These core services are delivered through specific programs including Tecnova (small company subsidy program with R$ 360 million in 2026), Mais Inovação Brasil (comprehensive innovation funding under Nova Indústria Brasil), and various thematic programs targeting mining innovation, defense, and clean energy. The agency also manages investment funds such as FIP Nordeste Capital Semente and the Energy Transition Fund. The total resources available under Nova Indústria Brasil reached R$ 140 billion by 2026, with R$ 37.5 billion from FINEP itself.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Credit (Crédito)
- Non-Reimbursable Funding (Financiamento Não Reembolsável)
- Indirect Investment (Investimento Indireto)
- Tecnova Program
- Mais Inovação Brasil
- Finep Mais Inovação Brasil - Mining Fund
- Defense Innovation Program
- FIP Nordeste Capital Semente
- Energy Transition Fund (FIP)
- Applied Research in Thematic Centers (Pesquisa Aplicada em Centros Temáticos)
- Finep Mais Inovação Brasil - Clean Energy Call
- Regional Economic Subsidy Program (Subvenção Econômica Regional)
Quantifiable outcome
- R$ 36.4 billion in innovation projects contracted in 3 years (2023-2025)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use FINEP
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
FINEP technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
FINEP partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- MCTI (Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação)coreFinep operates as funding authority linked to MCTI, jointly announcing programs including Tecnova 2026/2027 (R$ 360 million), Mais Inovação Brasil (R$ 3.3 billion non-reimbursable), and Nova Indústria Brasil (R$ 140 billion).
- Embrapii (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa e Inovação Industrial)coreFinep and Embrapii both linked to MCTI; MCTI announced R$ 440 million annual contribution to Embrapii in 2026, largest annual allocation since 2013, enabling 550 innovation projects with total value R$ 1.2 billion.
- Viridis and SolvaysupportingViridis partnership with Solvay for rare earth processing cited at IBRAM international seminar as model for Brazil's strategy to move beyond raw material exports toward domestic processing and value-added participation in global supply chains.
- Queen Mary University of LondonsupportingQueen Mary University of London sent academic delegation to Brazil to explore research collaboration opportunities in areas including responsible AI, genomics, public health, sensing technologies, and sustainable development. Met with FAPESP and FINEP alongside British Council and UK Science and Innovation Network representatives.
- Sebrae Santa Catarina, Fiesc, and AcatesupportingFinep pelo Brasil event in Florianópolis conducted in partnership with MCTI, Sebel Regional Santa Catarina, Fiesc (Federação das Indústrias do Estado de SC), and Acate (Associação Catarinense de Tecnologia) to present R$ 3.3 billion in innovation calls.
- Embrapa (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária)coreFinep announced R$ 15 million financing to support Embrapa's entry into the Budapest Treaty and modernize infrastructure for storage, cataloging, and conservation of microorganisms of interest to agriculture and food. Positions Brazil as reference for biological material deposits in Latin America.
- OCB (Organização das Cooperativas Brasileiras)supportingFinep and OCB signed agreement to expand access of cooperatives to innovation financing through FNDCT resources. This officially includes cooperatives among beneficiaries of the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development.
- FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo)supportingFAPESP participated in Queen Mary University of London delegation visit to explore joint research collaboration opportunities alongside FINEP.
- British Council and UK Science and Innovation NetworksupportingBritish Council and UK Science and Innovation Network participated in Queen Mary University of London delegation visit to identify shared research interests and potential joint initiatives with Brazilian institutions including FAPESP and FINEP.
- WEGcoreFinep and WEG partnership for innovation and energy transition: over 3 years, Finep supported WEG in 10 innovation projects totaling R$ 281 million, mobilizing over 390 research and innovation professionals in cutting-edge initiatives including BESS manufacturing plant.
- Viridion (Ionic Rare Earths JV)supportingJoint venture between Ionic Rare Earths and Brazilian partners secured significant Brazilian government funding from BNDES and Finep to develop rare earth refining and recycling facilities in Brazil, supporting local supply chains for critical rare earth elements.
- PetrobrascorePetrobras and Finep launched a BRL 150 million call for proposals to support domestic industrial-scale electrolyzer development with at least 50% local content requirements. Also launched BRL 30 million call for biorefining and biofuel feedstock R&D projects.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FINEP competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bpifrance: France's public investment bank providing credit, grants, guarantees, and equity to innovative SMEs and mid-caps. A close functional peer to FINEP given its combined credit, grant, and VC fund-of-funds structure under national industrial policy.
- BNDES: Brazil's largest national development bank and FINEP's most direct operational peer. BNDES and FINEP co-execute the R$ 140 billion Nova Indústria Brasil partnership, share overlapping innovation and VC mandates, and target the same corporate, SME, and ICT segments across Brazil.
- CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico e Industrial): Spain's public innovation funding entity under the Ministry of Science and Innovation, providing grants and subsidized credit for R&D projects. Directly comparable to FINEP in mission, instrument mix, and policy-bank governance.
Regional players
- IDB Invest: Private-sector arm of the Inter-American Development Bank group focused on Latin America and the Caribbean. Comparable as a regional DFI providing financing and equity to innovative companies in markets adjacent to Brazil.
- Nordic Investment Bank (NIB): Multilateral DFI owned by Nordic and Baltic countries financing innovation, green transition, and SME projects. Comparable to FINEP as a public-policy lender focused on innovation and sustainability, though operating regionally across Europe.
Broad incumbents
- BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada): Canadian Crown corporation providing financing, venture capital, and advisory services to SMEs. Comparable as a national-level DFI with VC and growth equity arms serving innovative companies, though with a more commercial mandate than FINEP's policy-driven model.
- CDB (China Development Bank): China's policy bank financing strategic sectors, infrastructure, and innovation. Comparable in mission alignment with national industrial policy but vastly larger in capital base and focused on credit rather than equity.
- EIB (European Investment Bank): EU-level DFI providing long-term financing for innovation, climate, and SME projects. Comparable to FINEP in its concessional innovation lending, sectoral fund management, and policy-bank status.
- KfW: Germany's state-owned development bank providing subsidized innovation, SME, and climate financing. Comparable to FINEP as a federally chartered DFI managing sectoral and green funds, but at materially larger scale and with broader product coverage.
Emerging players
- Embrapii: Brazilian non-profit linked to MCTI that co-finances industrial R&D projects via accredited research institutions. A domestic emerging peer to FINEP that shares the same ministry linkage and a portion of the NIB mandate, particularly in industrial research.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FINEP social profiles
Digital presenceFINEP financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FINEP leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
FINEP funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FINEP M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments28 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FINEP
What does FINEP do?
FINEP is a Brazilian federal public innovation funding agency that provides three core financing instruments: reimbursable credit (subsidized loans at TJLP, IPCA, or TR-based rates) for medium and large companies; non-reimbursable grants (subvenção econômica) for companies and Scientific, Technological and Innovation Institutions (ICTs); and indirect venture capital investments through investment funds (FIPs). These core services are delivered through specific programs including Tecnova for small companies, Mais Inovação Brasil under the Nova Indústria Brasil industrial policy, and thematic programs targeting mining, defense, clean energy, and applied research.
Is FINEP a public or private company?
FINEP is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was FINEP founded?
FINEP was founded in 1967. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is FINEP based?
FINEP is headquartered in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, in the Latin America region.
How does FINEP make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Reimbursable Credit (Financiamento Reembolsável) is the primary driver. The others are non-Reimbursable Funding (Financiamento Não Reembolsável) and indirect Investment (Investimento Indireto).
Who are FINEP's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bpifrance, BNDES and CDTI (Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico e Industrial). Regional players are IDB Invest and Nordic Investment Bank (NIB). Broad incumbents are BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada), CDB (China Development Bank), EIB (European Investment Bank) and KfW. Embrapii is listed as an emerging player.
Does FINEP have an API?
No public API is recorded for FINEP.
What industry is FINEP in?
FINEP's product category is Public Development Finance. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADACAC, National Development Banks & State Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), with a secondary code of BPADACAI, SME, Microfinance & Financial Inclusion Facilities. Its NAICS code is 5222 and its SIC code is 6111.