Out of 117 ideas sent by team members from all over the world, ten new business models have come up in four weeks. Five of them will become internal startups, with potential to become independent businesses in the future. This was the result of the Digital Challenge, an open innovation and intrapreneurship program launched by Braskem to its 8,000 team members, looking for solutions to the company's challenges and those of the chemical and petrochemical industries, by sharing ideas originating from all the regions where the company operates.

The initiative is in line with Braskem's digital transformation, which began three years ago by integrating its global digital strategy roadmap. The company has applied state-of-the-art technology - such as machine learning, advanced analytics and sensors - and innovative work methodologies - such as agile methodologies, design tools and Change Management - in different parts of its supply chain. These new strategies have revolutionized the way the company streamlines its operational processes, focusing on energy efficiency, carries out its asset maintenance and controls the quality of its products in a predictive manner, which gives Braskem a leading position in industry 4.0.

Besides investing in innovation in its core business, Braskem is also diversifying its investment portfolio, by creating new business models and incubating internal startups, developed by the company itself. These initiatives, called digital ventures, are coupled with the company's commitment to sustainable development, which views innovation as adaptability and the central path in the pursuit of a more sustainable future. In addition, these internal businesses have, as their mission, finding solutions to some of the most urgent pains that affect the company and industry in general.

"In 2018, we began a digital transformation process and today it is one of our priorities. By incorporating technologies into strategic areas, such as operation and maintenance of our industrial plants, quality control, technical assistance and logistics, we generate value for the company, our team members and clients, strengthening our position as a global benchmark in the industry we operate in. Our intention is to enhance our leadership in innovation and usage of new work methodologies and state-of-the-art technology, boosting our competitiveness, and generating impact and sustainable results in the coming years with ambitious targets", says Roberto Simões, Braskem CEO.

The Digital Challenge was created as a feeder to Braskem's digital venture incubation program. It was proposed as an open invitation to all team members in the regions Braskem operates in (Brazil, Mexico, United States, Europe and Asia) to identify challenges and find possibilities through new solutions, potential clients and advantages regarding the market. Altogether, the program contained 117 ideas, with a total of 215 professionals engaged, where value creation criteria were evaluated (size of potential market for the proposed solution and the relevance of the challenge to be resolved) along with greater alignment with the company's priorities (adherence to Braskem's goals and strategic topics and the opportunity to leverage the solution by the company).

The ten ideas with the greatest potential to become new businesses were chosen to receive mentorships and technical qualification at the Digital Center and Innoscience, a consultancy in corporate innovation and Braskem partner in this project. Over the course of four weeks, the team members in charge of those ideas developed a business case that was presented to the company's leadership as a pitch, in order to obtain resources for the development of the solution. Next, the five best-evaluated ideas were approved and, in the future, they will become internal startups. The topic that had most engagement was sustainability, with 70% of the proposals.

The aim is to create new income sources, transform frictions or market risks into opportunities, strengthen the company and increase its competitiveness. In addition, the initiative aimed at resolving issues in the industry, by creating solutions for internal challenges to which there are no adequate solutions on the market, and to empower team members to explore new skills and work methods.

According to Ana Paula, co-author of one of the ten selected ideas and part of the Innovation & Technology team, it was a transforming experience at all times, from the selection of the idea to the presentation to the company's senior leadership. "Having experienced this journey, my vision of how to entrepreneur an idea changed a lot, besides enabling my own development in key skills for entrepreneurship, such as believing in the potential of the idea, exercising empathy to understand the pains of the target audience, being resilient to adjust the original project, dealing with frustrations and being assertive when communicating. It was a unique and stimulating experience in my career!", concluded Lobo.

Besides ratifying our commitment to digital innovation, Digital Challenge enabled the professional and personal growth of participants, expanding their vision of business, providing an on-the-job experience in new ways of working and strengthening the company's culture, for the benefit of creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership in a democratic and inclusive manner.