CSN Inova and SOSA sign partnership agreement to boost innovation in Brazil

CSN Inova, CSN’s innovation platform, reaffirms its commitment to transformative solutions through a strategic partnership with SOSA, a global leader in open innovation that connects startups, corporations, and governments to the world’s most dynamic technology ecosystems. With hubs in Tel Aviv, New York, and London, SOSA has deep expertise in helping organizations shape their innovation strategies, identifying technologies that solve their most pressing challenges and deliver real business results — an essential advantage in today’s highly competitive market.

The partnership is a natural extension of CSN Inova’s ongoing efforts to expand its innovation capacity. “During our international expansion, the CSN Inova team visited SOSA’s office in New York. There, we expanded our network within the global innovation ecosystem, participating in programs that have already resulted in ongoing projects, such as the investment in EnviCore, a Canadian startup that transforms industrial waste into materials for cement manufacturing. This success laid the foundation for our current agreement with SOSA, which will now enable structured access to Israeli startups that offer effective solutions for Brazil,” said Felipe Steinbruch, Head of CSN Inova.

The value of this partnership extends to both parties: Israeli startups will have access to CSN Group’s business units, where they will be able to test their technologies in real applications, facing the strategic challenges of the Brazilian industrial scenario. These pilot projects will focus on key sectors such as steel, cement, mining, energy, and logistics, allowing startups to validate their technologies and scale them in one of the largest markets in Latin America. “We are particularly looking for solutions focused on decarbonization in our sectors. The possibility for these startups to test and improve their technologies directly in our operations is a game changer for bringing innovation to the market,” added Steinbruch.

For the most successful pilot projects, scaling opportunities will follow within the CSN Group, with potential investments from CSN Inova Ventures and SOSA Ventures. This will enable new possibilities for startups, allowing them to gain a foothold in the Brazilian market with the support and resources necessary to accelerate growth. “Brazil represents a high-growth market, especially around energy transition and industrial innovation. We are excited to partner with CSN Inova, a leader in Brazil’s innovation ecosystem, to offer scalable solutions with real business impact for both startups and the local market,” commented Uzi Scheffer, CEO of SOSA.

This partnership focuses on generating mutual value: for CSN, by accessing innovative technologies that increase sustainability and competitiveness, and for startups, by providing a direct path to scale and validate their solutions in a high-demand market. The agreement will focus on Israeli startups that concentrate on ESG challenges—such as emissions reduction, resource efficiency, and alternative fuels—as well as disruptive technologies for the future of the industry. These startups will be positioned to have a significant impact on Brazil’s innovation ecosystem, paving the way for growth and transformation.

About CSN

Founded in 1941, CSN was the first integrated flat steel producer in Brazil, a milestone in the country’s industrialization process. In 1993, after more than five decades as a state-owned company, the Company entered a new era when it was privatized and assumed a new market position. Today, CSN is not only a national steel company, but also a world-renowned company in the mining, cement, energy, and logistics sectors, thanks to the dedication of its more than 40,000 employees.

Currently, the CSN Group is present in 17 Brazilian states and also operates in several other countries, such as Germany, Portugal, the United States, and Switzerland, with its shares listed on the São Paulo Stock Exchange (BM&FBovespa) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The company’s social leadership is concentrated in the CSN Foundation, with projects that contribute to the social transformation of the community in the areas of education, community development, culture, and sports.

About CSN Inova

Created in 2018, Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional’s innovation platform aims to strategically and actively position the company in the innovation ecosystem. It consists of four fronts: CSN Inova Ventures (builds opportunities through co-development and participation in startups), CSN Inova Open (manages innovation and open innovation), CSN Inova Bridge (executes and monitors projects related to ESG factors), and CSN Inova Tech (develops and executes CSN’s disruptive technology strategy). CSN Inova, through CSN Inova Ventures, has been shaking up the market with successive investments in startups in the global ecosystem, fostering the innovation ecosystem. To date, the following investments are part of the portfolio: 2DM (Singapore), Traive (Brazil), 1s1 (United States), Oico (Brazil), Clarke Energy (Brazil), H2PRO (Israel), Alinea (Brazil), iSystems (Brazil), Gauss Fleet (Brazil), and EnviCore (Canada).