Being an entrepreneur is no easy task. The challenges are great and require plenty of dedication and persistence to plan a new business. In times of economic uncertainties, such as the current recession in Brazil, difficulties for entrepreneurs become even greater and more dangerous. Investment restraints, low demand, decreasing revenues and increased losses are common risk factors in a crisis scenario, which, if poorly assessed, can lead the dream of entrepreneurship to the end.

In this scenario, besides achieving a good business plan - which takes into account market data, forecast of expenses and revenues, commercial opportunities, customer relationships, and communication - entrepreneurs can guarantee better results by investing time and money in innovation. The subject is not a privilege of the big companies and is a key resource for the success of new businesses.

Oftentimes, more than financial investment, innovation requires a new attitude by the company in terms of change, creation, and improvement. A change of processes or a new product or service in the market, a more efficient customer service - in summary, new actions -, when well applied, are capable of transforming the results and culture of an organization - and why not - society as a whole.

In recent years, Braskem has had the opportunity to learn more about and support Brazilian entrepreneurs, challenging them to take innovation beyond the limits of their companies. These are up-and-coming businesses that, based on an innovative idea, have fulfilled a market demand and are particularly able to generate a positive impact for society.

Since 2015, thirty-one entrepreneurs have participated in Braskem Labs, an incentive program for social and environmental entrepreneurship, focusing on solutions related to chemistry and plastic. In 2016, for about four months, participants were mentored by executives from Braskem and Endeavor, a global, non-profit organization for entrepreneurship promotion, to discuss their strategies, develop products, and expand the size of their business. The various meetings with people of different profiles and ideals establish a rich exchange of experiences and prove the affinity between the new entrepreneurs' projects and Braskem's goals.

Entrepreneurship is one of the main channels to allow innovation to be increasingly rooted in corporate culture. Initiatives such as Braskem Labs are crucial to help these entrepreneurs make their projects feasible and help us understand that innovating only makes sense when there is a desire to improve people's lives. Whether in situations of crisis or stability, one of the major challenges in business will always be to innovate to grow.

Patrick Teyssonneyre is the Director of Innovation & Technology at Braskem