Innovation services

Five days of training, visits to leading global research hubs such as Berkeley and major technology companies including Microsoft and Bosch, as well as meetings with innovation experts and networking opportunities with potential international partners. From 26 to 30 October, ten Italian deep tech startups are visiting the United States on a study visit spanning San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Seattle. The initiative is one of the entrepreneurial support activities provided under Deep Tech Revolution, a programme established by Area Science Park, a national research institution in Italy, to support innovative companies with a strong scientific and technological focus. The mission aims to connect the startups directly with some of the world’s leading research and innovation ecosystems and foster the development of new industrial and commercial relationships. Taking place from 26 to 30 October, the study visit covers some of the United States’ leading innovation hubs, from San Francisco and Silicon Valley to Seattle. Following an initial day of training focused on the American entrepreneurial ecosystem, the itinerary includes visits to the University of California, Berkeley campus and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, two major centres of scientific and technological research. The programme also features meetings with researchers from the ISSNAF (Italian Scientists and Scholars in North America Foundation) network, which brings together Italian scientists and scholars working in North America, as well as visits to organisations such as SRI International, an independent research centre, and MBC BioLabs, which specialises in supporting biotechnology startups. Additional meetings have been arranged according to the startups’ respective fields of activity. Startups operating in the life sciences will visit ImYoo, a Bay Area biotechnology company, while those working on energy and climate technologies will meet researchers at Bosch’s R&D centre, with the opportunity to present their projects to the group’s corporate venture capital fund. The second part of the mission will take place in Seattle, with visits to major international companies such as Microsoft and T-Mobile, as well as 9Zero, a hub dedicated to climate technologies, and the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds, a centre specialising in supporting research and the commercialisation of clean energy technologies. Throughout the five days, the programme will also include startup project presentations, networking sessions and opportunities to engage with potential industrial partners and investors, with the aim of exploring collaboration and business development opportunities in the US market. «Through Deep Tech Revolution, we aim to support startups not only in developing their technologies, but also in the process of bringing research results to market,” said Roberto Pillon, Head of the Business Generation Unit at Area Science Park. “The study visit to the United States offers an opportunity to engage with some of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems, learn about entrepreneurial development models and build relationships with potential industrial partners, research partners and investors. This is an important step for science-intensive projects, which need expertise, resources and connections in order to grow». The projects developed by the ten startups span a wide range of fields, from life sciences to advanced digital technologies, from research into new materials to the energy transition. Their applications include surgical robotics and medical technologies, biotechnology for food production and the development of new therapies, energy storage and conversion systems, superconductivity, satellite communications, digital simulation and quantum computing. These are all research-intensive sectors in which the development of new technological solutions requires specialised scientific expertise, advanced infrastructure and effective pathways for transferring research results to the market.   The Programme and the Startups Launched in February 2026, Deep Tech Revolution is the programme through which Area Science Park supports the development of entrepreneurial projects based on frontier technologies in four areas: materials science, advanced digital technologies, green energy value chains and life sciences. The programme initially envisaged funding five startups, selected through a call for applications that attracted 80 complete submissions from 14 Italian regions. In May, in recognition of the high scientific and technological value of the projects submitted, Area Science Park decided to double the programme’s total funding from €1 million to €2 million, enabling a further five startups to join the programme, selected according to the original ranking. Each of the ten companies receives €200,000 in support, half in the form of a non-repayable grant and the other half through high-technology research and development services and business growth support services. The distinctive feature of the twelve-month programme is access to Area Science Park’s research infrastructure and advanced laboratories, including facilities dedicated to genomics and epigenomics, electron microscopy and materials analysis, as well as high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure. These resources are complemented by training, capacity-building, networking and internationalisation activities, of which the study visit to the United States is one of the key stages. The first cohort, which began its activities in February, includes Soundsafe Care (Pisa), which develops ultrasound-based robotic solutions for non-invasive surgical procedures; Yeastime (Rome), which uses ultrasound to improve the productivity of microalgae cultivation for the food, nutraceutical and biotechnology sectors; Novac (Modena), which is developing structural supercapacitors for energy storage in electric mobility; Magnetic Future (Bologna), which works on high-temperature superconducting switches for applications in energy and other advanced sectors; and SatEnlight (Milan), which develops optical technologies to increase the speed, reliability and security of satellite communications. Five additional startups joined the programme in May: LivGemini (Rome), which uses digital twin technologies for the diagnosis and personalised treatment planning of thoracic aortic aneurysms; Antares Electrolysis (Genoa), which develops next-generation electrolysers for hydrogen production; DNAswitch (Padua), which is developing new therapeutic approaches for Huntington’s disease; EMC Gems (Udine), which specialises in advanced electromagnetic simulations and digital twin technologies for the design of electronic devices; and Rotonium (Padua), which is working on the development of room-temperature photonic quantum processors.

Sustainable innovation and the energy transition take centre stage in the Belgian capital. On the occasion of European Hydrogen Week 2026, the NASCHA project, together with its sister project NACHIP and HyMantoValley, will present activities supported by the EU’s Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument to an audience of businesses, researchers, public institutions and investors on 27 and 28 October, at the Hydrogen Pavilion, Stand B4, at Brussels Expo. The aim is to demonstrate how interregional cooperation plays a key role in accelerating the uptake of hydrogen technologies and creating new growth opportunities for local economies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Area Science Park will actively contribute to the event through the participation of Fabrizia Salvi, bringing the activities and future prospects of the European NASCHA project (North Adriatic Smart Communities Hydrogen Accelerator) to the forefront of international discussions. “Taking part in European Hydrogen Week alongside NACHIP and HyMantoValley,” explains Salvi, “provides an important opportunity for dialogue and collaboration between projects that, with the support of the European I3 programme, are contributing to the development of the hydrogen ecosystem. It will also be an opportunity to announce NASCHA’s first Open Call, which will open on 12 November, offering European SMEs the chance to contribute innovative solutions to the development and enhancement of the project’s pilots.” For the NASCHA consortium, the Brussels event represents an opportunity to highlight the role of local and smart communities of practice in the practical adoption of hydrogen-based solutions. By connecting diverse yet complementary regional ecosystems, the project aims to foster innovations that address specific local challenges while also being successfully replicated in other European contexts, across areas such as hydrogen production and storage, transport and distribution, and its various applications. Given the limited number of places available for the networking sessions and panel discussions included in the joint I3 for Hydrogen programme, the organisers recommend that interested businesses and stakeholders register early for the various sessions taking place over the two-day event. REGISTRATION AND PROGRAMME

Welcome Office Friuli Venezia Giulia is an initiative providing dedicated support to international students and researchers, as well as their family members, across the region. Developed within the framework of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Scientific and Innovation System – SiS FVG, which brings together 22 of the region’s leading scientific organisations, it is managed by Area Science Park with the aim of enhancing the attractiveness of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s scientific and academic ecosystem. The initiative also builds on Area Science Park’s experience as a centre of the pan-European EURAXESS network, which supports researcher mobility and professional development. Welcome Office FVG was established to integrate and strengthen the services available to the many international students and researchers who choose Friuli Venezia Giulia each year, attracted by the region’s high concentration of leading scientific institutions. Through its information portal and help desks in Trieste and Udine, Welcome Office provides information and assistance throughout the relocation process, from preparing for arrival to settling in and living in the region. In 2026, these services were further expanded, starting with the new website, which went online in July and was completely redesigned in terms of visual identity, content organisation and available tools. The portal makes it easier to find the information needed to relocate to and live in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Sections covering entry and residence procedures and key aspects of everyday life have been updated and expanded, with information ranging from obtaining a tax identification number and accessing healthcare to Italian language courses and the recognition of foreign driving licences. Illustrations and infographics make complex procedures easier to understand, while video tutorials and the new virtual assistant help users navigate the available content. The portal therefore strengthens pre-arrival information services while complementing the in-person support provided by the help desks. At the same time, cooperation with local authorities has been strengthened. Since 25 March, Welcome Office FVG has been holding weekly meetings with the Immigration Office of the Trieste Police Headquarters (Questura), open to all partner organisations. These meetings provide a regular opportunity for direct discussion on the issuance of residence permits and the handling of procedures concerning students, researchers and their family members. The ASUGI health districts have also been involved to provide further guidance on procedures for foreign nationals registering with the National Health Service. Data from the first six months of 2026 illustrate the scale of the services provided. The Trieste and Udine help desks assisted a total of 417 people, including students, PhD candidates, researchers and their family members. A further 23 representatives of public bodies, private organisations and companies involved in international mobility and welcome services also received assistance, bringing the total number of users assisted to 440. The Trieste help desk, managed by Area Science Park, assisted a total of 132 users: 109 individuals, including 48 students, 43 PhD candidates and researchers, and 18 family members or workers, as well as 23 representatives of public bodies, private organisations and companies involved in international mobility and welcome services. Of the 109 individuals, 81% were already in the region when they requested assistance and, overall, two thirds of users came from non-EU countries. The Udine help desk, managed by the University of Udine, assisted 285 users, including 252 students and 33 PhD candidates and researchers. Of these, 84% came from EU countries and 16% from non-EU countries. The majority of users received support before arriving in the region. SiS FVG is an initiative of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Universities and Research, aimed at promoting the Friuli Venezia Giulia Scientific and Innovation System.

From the challenge of securing funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) to the ambition of entering international markets. The third bootcamp of Deep Tech Revolution, the programme developed by Area Science Park to support the growth of startups and spin-offs based on technologies emerging from frontier research, focused on aspects that complement and support their scientific and technological development: the entrepreneurial skills needed to build and scale a deep tech company. Held from 22 to 24 September, the bootcamp marked another milestone in the support programme designed by Area Science Park for the 10 startups selected from more than 80 applications: Soundsafe Care, Yeastime, Novac, Magnetic Future, SatEnlight, LivGemini, Antares Electrolysis, EMC Gems, Rotonium e DNAswitch. The companies operate across a wide range of fields, from life sciences and materials to advanced digital technologies and green energy value chains. Their solutions range from robotics for surgical applications to supercapacitors, from digital twins for medicine to photonic processors for quantum computing. From scientific research to business growth Deep Tech Revolution supports the 10 startups over a 12-month period, providing a total support package worth €2 million, split equally between direct financial support and integrated services. These include preferential access to Area Science Park’s advanced research facilities and laboratories, which startups can use to address specific research and development needs: from high-performance computing (HPC) to genomic and epigenomic analyses, from advanced electron microscopy to materials characterisation, as well as collaborative activities with Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste. Alongside access to scientific infrastructure and technological services, the programme offers a comprehensive capacity-building and business growth support pathway. This second dimension was the focus of the third bootcamp: three days dedicated to developing the skills needed to turn a frontier technology into a company capable of scaling up and competing in international markets. The programme centred on direct engagement with experienced professionals who shared their extensive expertise through real-life case studies, practical methodologies and approaches already tested in the field. This format, combined with one-to-one mentoring sessions, gave the training a particularly practical dimension, enabling startups to explore real-world situations and decisions they may face along their growth journey. The first day focused on the European Innovation Council (EIC), one of the European Commission’s main instruments for supporting disruptive, high-risk technological innovation. Renato Fa from APRE – Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea, explained how to navigate the application process, examining its various stages in detail: from the short proposal to the full proposal, through to preparing for the technical interview and the presentation before the evaluation panel and investors in Brussels. Francesco Matteucci, EIC Ambassador, explored the institutional framework and the rationale behind the European Union’s approach to selecting and supporting deep tech innovation, including proposal evaluation criteria and the most common mistakes. These insights helped participants develop a more informed and strategic understanding of the programme. One of the most engaging moments for the founders came when three startups shared first-hand accounts of how they had navigated this highly competitive process and secured the full EIC funding package, combining grants and equity investment: RareEarth, Circular Materials and Aindo. Aindo, based at Area Science Park’s Padriciano campus, secured €2.1 million in EIC Accelerator funding in 2025. The three startups shared not only their success stories but also the failure stories that often preceded their achievements. By openly discussing unsuccessful attempts and mistakes, they offered valuable insights into what can go wrong when preparing an EIC proposal and, above all, how an initial setback can become an opportunity for improvement. The day concluded with individual discussions and project idea assessments, tailored to the different stages of development of each startup. The second day shifted the focus to commercial and international contracts. Davide Galantini from DG Legal addressed contract management and know-how licensing through practical drafting examples, highlighting the most challenging clauses and the legal and business considerations involved in negotiations. The session also covered contracts for industrial collaborations, research and development (R&D) partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The programme continued with individual sessions dedicated to credit profiles, during which startup founders received guidance from Stefano Cocchieri of Capital Light. The subject was revisited on the final day, with a focus on key financial indicators, financial structure and the role of credit profiles at different stages of a startup’s growth. The programme concluded on Thursday 24 September with a session on accessing international venture capital markets, led by Gianmaria Feleppa of UCAPITAL. The discussion focused in particular on the US market and emerging innovation ecosystems, different approaches to structuring international funding rounds, the relationship between public and private investment, and the opportunities and implications of potentially relocating a company’s registered office abroad. Next Stop: San Francisco and Seattle Following the bootcamp, the programme will move straight into its next phase with an international study visit scheduled from 26 to 30 October in San Francisco and Seattle. The 10 startups will have the opportunity to engage directly with one of the world’s most dynamic and influential innovation ecosystems through visits to research centres and major technology companies, as well as meetings with investors and fellow startup founders. The visit will provide an opportunity to explore business models, expertise and growth tools in a global context. Above all, it will allow the startups to present their technologies and projects to potential partners and other key stakeholders. After gaining experience in laboratories, research facilities and bootcamps, Deep Tech Revolution will therefore take the 10 startups beyond national borders, marking an important step towards strengthening their ability to engage with international markets and begin building valuable connections.

Under the claim “Shaping Data, Shaping the Future!”, the graduation event for the second edition of the Master’s in Data Management and Curation (MDMC) has concluded. The final thesis defenses covered topics ranging from FAIR data pipelines for neuroscience and genetic sequencing to data extraction tools for protein crystallization, the application of advanced technologies like GraphRAG for manufacturing data, and repositories for X-ray absorption spectroscopy. A highlight of the event was the Keynote Lecture by Massimiliano Novelli, Senior Data Curation Scientist at the European Spallation Source ERIC, who provided an overview of global challenges and best practices in managing international-level data infrastructures. The Master’s in Data Management and Curation is a one-year advanced training course promoted by Area Science Park and SISSA. It is dedicated to training highly qualified professionals in the management, enhancement, and curation of scientific data using a FAIR-by-design approach. With the second edition wrapped up, attention now turns to the upcoming edition of the Master’s program, with applications open until 1:00 PM on June 30, 2026. The program lasts approximately 10 months and is taught entirely in English. It combines intensive face-to-face lectures in Trieste with a six-month internship at research laboratories and partner institutions, during which participants develop an applied project work. Students will gain privileged access to Area Science Park’s ORFEO HPC infrastructure. This includes a dedicated virtual machine, storage space, and computing resources designed to support hands-on training activities in data management and data-intensive research. Five scholarships offered by Area, SISSA, and OGS are available. These cover the enrollment fee and provide an additional €3,000 allowance to cover living expenses in Trieste during the in-person lecture period (September–December 2026). Depending on financial availability resulting from agreements/conventions with external organizations—such as the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region, other research institutions, or private companies—further financial aid, scholarships, and prizes may become available. Full details, the admission call, entry requirements, and the course structure are available on the MDMC webpage.