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About the program

Open MRS has been created to enhance innovation, in a collaborative and different way, by using interaction with external market agents, such as startups, universities, and technology and innovation centers.
The purpose is to develop the logistics of the future by solving challenges faced by MRS.
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Operation

Challenge 1

Challenge 1 – How to ensure up-to-date MRS rail vehicle tracking information

We need to know the information on the railroad vehicles in order to optimize our operation. Today we have limited automation, with some manual procedures, causing a delay and poor reliability of the information. We need flexible solutions and that give us sufficient information, in a proper frequency for the update, decision making and information for our clients.

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Challenge 2

Challenge 2 – How to eliminate the carry back on the train wagon

In unloading operations of railroad cars with iron ore, there is the possibility of being left a concentrated load in spots of the railroad car due to many factors. This concentrated load, in addition to operational losses, produces risks of accidents. When the unbalanced load is identified, we need a lot of time to solve the problem. Hence, we seek solutions to help us eliminate or reduce the remaining ore load on railroad cars.

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Maintenance

Challenge 3

Challenge 3 – How to perform a maintenance on a tunnel with access restriction.

At a specific point in the network, people are not authorized on foot nor by car.  In some sections, there are tunnels with structures that need maintenance. However, because they are in restricted access areas, there is a difficulty in performing maintenance. We need to continue providing maintenance on the railroad line in these tunnels, among other maintenance needs in these locations. We seek ideas so that we can carry out this important service in an automated way, without the required presence of people on site. 

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Challenge 4

Challenge 4 – How to enable railway maintenance in areas with human circulation restrictions.

In this same section in which the traffic area of people is forbidden, we need to carry out the maintenance service of the railroad line. In these regions, we get around with helicopters. We are only able to transport two people and we are not able to do all the necessary maintenance. We seek solutions that help us to carry out these procedures.

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Simplified hiring process.

No bureaucracy for startups participating in our program

Possibility of investment.

For developing the projects in conjunction with MRS to validate the proofs of concept.

Teamwork

You are going to work with experts in the innovation of MRS and Neo Ventures

Access to MRS infrastructure.

You will have access to the MRS infrastructure and technical staff to develop the solutions during the Bootcamp and Proof of concept.

Development methodology of the Startups.

Training, technical visits, professionalization of management and growth.

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You can help to develop the future of the country’s logistics.
Register now and come to contribute with MRS.

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About MRS

MRS is a railroad operator that manages a 1,643 km network in the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, a region that concentrates about half of the Brazilian GDP. Today the company is among the largest railroads in the world, with a production of almost four times higher than that registered in the 1990s.

Almost 20% of all that Brazil exports and a third of all load transported by trains in the country pass through the MRS tracks.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Open MRS?

Open MRS Open MRS has been created to enhance innovation, in a collaborative and different way, by using interaction with external market agents, such as startups, universities and technology and innovation centers, among others. The purpose is to develop solutions for challenges faced by MRS to develop the logistics of the future.

In this edition, four challenges divided into operational and maintenance challenges have been selected. For operation, the challenges are related to how to ensure up-to-date MRS rail vehicle tracking information and How to eliminate the carry back on the train wagon, while the maintenance challenges are related to How to perform a maintenance on a tunnel with access restriction and How to enable railway maintenance in areas with human circulation restrictions.

Check out more about the challenges in the notice.

Can I register myself for more than one challenge?

A startup can register for more than one challenge. If the startup is selected to develop more than one proof of concept, it shall choose to proceed with one of the challenges only.

To register with more than one solution by Gust without creating a new profile, the startup shall follow the following steps:

In the upper right corner, please click on ENTREPRENEUR, below the name of the company or individual registered.

Then, in the drop-down menu that will open, please click on PROFILE.

On the new open page, please look for the COMPANY tab and click on the + sign.

You will now be asked to enter the information concerning a second company (which can be the same as the first). Hence, you will be able to register a new solution in the Open MRS program, using the new company created.

Who can participate in the Open MRS program?

Those who can participate in the Open MRS program are startups, technology-based companies, projects from science and technology institutions and others, with the ability to develop and implement innovative solutions, which have a formal constitution in Brazil or in their country of origin to apply the proof of concept to the company.

What are the costs to register?

Registration to the program is free of charge.

Should I assign equity interest to my business?

Participating in the Open MRS program is not related to the assignment of equity interest by Startup. The purpose of the call is to develop proofs of concept (PoCs) to solve specific challenges.

How are the Startups selected?

The selection process is started by analyzing the classification of the startups and solutions in relation to the regulation. After that, online screening is conducted by a committee comprised of the MRS team according to the criteria established in the regulation. The purpose is to select a maximum of five most attractive proposals per challenge. The selected startups shall participate in the Bootcamp, whose purpose is to refine the scope for the development of projects and prepare them for Pitch Day, the final stage of the selection of startups that will develop the PoCs, where they will present their proposals for selection.

Contact for questions:

open@mrs.com.br