Innovation roundup: Totvs Labs, Google Sidewalk Labs, innovation fund

Totvs Labs, the Silicon Valley-based innovation lab of Latin America's largest enterprise software firm, Totvs, has started to operate as a startup incubator.

The first startup 'incubated' was DNA Shopper, a Brazilian firm focused on mobility for the retail segment. DNA Shopper helped Totvs create a solution based on Beacons technology that allows retailers to send offers and other notifications to customers based on their location.

The Beacons solution was commercially branded Totvs Locl. and already has two pilot projects underway in Brazil, Totvs said. The app is available for Android, IOS and for Apple Watch.

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Google announced the creation of Sidewalk Labs, an urban innovation company that will focus on the development of in-depth smart city technologies.

Dan Doctoroff, former CEO of Bloomberg LP and deputy mayor of Economic Development and Rebuilding for New York, was tapped to head the new company.

Sidewalk Labs will be based in New York and will develop products, platforms and partnerships "to make transportation more efficient and lower the cost of living, reducing energy usage and helping government operate more efficiently," Google said.

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The science, technology, innovation, communication and informatics committee of Brazil's senate approved a bill authorizing the creation of a fund for investment in innovation for micro, small and medium enterprises (InovaMPES).

Companies with annual gross operating revenues of 90mn reais (US$29mn), individual micro-entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs will be entitled to receive the funds. InovaMPEs will be financed with federal government budget funds and donations from public and private entities from Brazil or abroad.

The bill will now be put to the vote by the senate.