Innovation services

A guideline to support European local and regional authorities in drafting, implementing and monitoring territorial plans that integrate aspects of energy, climate and mobility, aimed at achieving climate neutrality in a multilevel governance perspective. It was drawn up by the IN-PLAN project team, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, to support local authorities who often struggle to convert climate objectives into concrete actions. The IN-PLAN methodology suggests an integrated and collaborative approach combining sectoral plans (e.g. renewable energy, sustainable mobility and climate adaptation) and urban plans in a single spatial planning strategy. It also encourages collaboration among local, regional and national levels of government, fostering greater coherence and the allocation of adequate resources for climate actions. All this is in line with European initiatives, such as the Green Deal and the EU Climate Law, in support of the objectives of reducing emissions and achieving climate neutrality. There are several key elements in the IN-PLAN Guidelines, co-created, developed and tested with 15 local authorities in Italy, Croatia, Ireland, Romania and Sweden, and now being implemented and spread to another 30 European municipalities: Integrated planning: it incorporates energy and climate objectives in spatial development plans, addressing key issues such as sustainable mobility, renewable energy and climate adaptation; Political commitment: it ensures collaboration among local, regional and national governments to obtain long-term support and dedicated resources for sustainable initiatives, with a view to multi-level governance; Skill building: it provides a two-phase training programme first for energy and climate agencies and consultants, who will then assist local and regional governments in developing their own spatial plans, thus guaranteeing knowledge transfer and replicability of the IN-PLAN model across Europe; User-friendly checklists: The checklists guide municipalities in the process of integrating energy and climate objectives into their spatial plans, making sure that effective measures to achieve climate neutrality are planned and implemented. “As climate change continues to present unprecedented challenges, it is crucial that local governments have tools available that are not only aligned with national and EU policies, but that also respond to the specific needs of their territories,” explains Fabrizia Salvi of Area Science Park. “Despite ambitious climate neutrality goals, many local and regional authorities face persistent challenges in converting these goals into concrete actions.” As the European Union strives to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, a tool like the IN-PLAN practice provides towns and regions with the tools they need to actively take steps towards a sustainable future, ensuring that climate goals are not only set, but also achieved through concrete and integrated actions. This support tool is already being tested with 15 local and regional authorities, called “Lighthouses”, and 30 more municipalities will be involved as “Pilots”, making it possible to adapt and replicate the methodology all across Europe. The Municipality of Prato, which is taking part in the European mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities by 2030”, is working on the harmonisation of the new Municipal Structural Plan with the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan according to the measures indicated in the Climate City Contract. “In 2022, a governance structure was defined to coordinate urban planning, mobility and energy that developed policy measures for drafting the Climate City Contract – explains architect Riccardo Pallini, manager of the Mobility and Infrastructure Sector -. These indications were also the basis for drafting the new Structural Plan and a new Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP); in this way, the theme of sustainable mobility was already present in the guidelines for the drafting of the new Structural Plan, and the new SUMP of the Municipality of Prato can thus be developed in close relation with the indications of the Structural Plan and the Climate City Contract”. Interdepartmental collaboration has begun in Narni to deal with the challenges of complexity. “It is important for medium-small municipalities to have the opportunity to learn good practices, even if implemented in large municipalities, which then need to be adapted to the local situation, striving to remove some administrative barriers,” says Giovanni Rubini, Council member for Environmental Policies. There is a need for cultural change and simplified regulations; we need skills, a long-term vision, the possibility of establishing contacts with the Regions and Ministries, and a central coordination role for the provinces. The availability of resources is also a problem and if we want to encourage the development of monitoring plans, rewards should be provided that favour the most virtuous Municipalities.” The city of Padua is also committed to implementing ambitious integrated plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. “Data and a cross-sectoral approach are needed in order to address the challenges of implementing these plans,” says Giovanni Vicentini, technical official with the Environment and Territory Sector. The Municipalities do not have all the data and usually, even within these municipalities, each departmental area has data that could be useful to others. Data is essential for developing a detailed overview, and the barriers are not technological.” The Guideline will also be further explored within the National Round Table for Discussion (National Coalition Group) of the IN-PLAN project, an activity launched in December 2024, offering a unique opportunity for various stakeholders to exchange views and make recommendations on integrated planning to be subsequently shared with national policy-makers. Participation in the Round Table, which does not require any formal membership, is conceived as an open space for discussion and debate and foresees further online meetings during 2025. The IN-PLAN Guideline is available here. Further information about the IN-PLAN project is available here.

The Area Science Park national public research organisation is returning to CES in Las Vegas in 2025 – the largest and most important technology industry fair in the world, scheduled for 7 to 10 January – accompanying the 46 Italian startups gathered in the pavilion organised in collaboration with Agenzia ICE. This is an opportunity for the institution to anticipate some new strategic directions in support of innovative companies, particularly in the deep tech sector. The objective: to enhance even more significantly the internal expertise and research infrastructures of the science and technology park, offering important support to research and development activities. For this edition, as in past participations in the national mission at CES, Area Science Park organised an academy dedicated to the startups in the pavilion. Through a series of training sessions with experts in the sector, the startups were able to prepare for the experience in Las Vegas in the best way: from advice on how to create the perfect pitch, to training on how to approach technological and industrial partners and the media present at the fair, with the aim of maximising business opportunities and visibility. The institution will also be the protagonist of one of the thematic panels that will be held in the arena set up inside the pavilion, where in-depth meetings with national and international stakeholders from the world of innovation will alternate, pitches by Italian startups and presentations of some of the most interesting innovative companies present in the pavilions of the other countries present in Eureka Park.   Upcoming deep tech initiatives For Area Science Park, the event will be an opportunity to delve deeper into the role of scientific research in the path leading to the commercialization of deep-tech technologies. A strategic line of development for the institution, which during 2025 will structure a new path to support innovative projects with enormous scientific value in the fields of materials science, advanced digital, green energy supply chains, and life sciences. With a radically different project with respect to traditional research activities on the one hand and support for the entrepreneurial system on the other. For the first time, in fact, the infrastructures, laboratories and related scientific expertise of the researchers at the Trieste campus will be made available to the startups supported by Area. “The goal is to offer concrete resources for R&D in the context of high-tech entrepreneurial projects, accelerating their entry into the market”, explains Fabrizio Rovatti, technologist manager of Area Science Park. “As an institution, we are evolving from a supporting agency focused mainly on managerial and entrepreneurial development to a model that also integrates high-level technological and scientific skills. This allows us to support startups in their innovation processes with this added value: access to advanced infrastructures and the know-how of our researchers”.   Activities in support of Businesses The research institution’s continued support for the national mission at CES in Las Vegas and, even more so, the upcoming initiatives dedicated to deep tech innovation represent the evolution of a strategy in support of innovative businesses that leverages, on the one hand, the consolidation of a national ecosystem of open innovation, and on the other, the generation of research and business opportunities at an international level, particularly across the Atlantic. In 2024, Startup Marathon reached its fifth edition, an initiative by Area Science Park, UniCredit and Fondazione Comunica that, with the formula of competition among young innovative companies, stimulates the creation of synergies among the organisations that support them, the world of research, industry and venture capital. An initiative in constant growth that in the last edition gathered support from more than 30 incubators, accelerators, universities and other research institutions that help startups in their creation and growth. Institutions that, in turn, nominated more than 60 of their most interesting organisations to the contest, which had the opportunity, through the various stages of the event, to come into contact with large companies and investors. An initiative enriched this year also by a dedicated open innovation programme, which brought together some corporate and SME partners of Startup Marathon with the startups that were best suited to respond to specific technological needs expressed by the partners themselves. Among the initiatives to promote the internationalization of innovative Italian companies, especially those led by women, Area Science Park created the BoostHerUp programme, which took place in 2024 in partnership with Prospera Women, a Silicon Valley organisation that brings together programmes in support of female-led startups around the world. Two startups that distinguished themselves in recent editions of the Startup Marathon participated in an acceleration programme in the United States.   Italian Startups at CES 2025 The Italian pavilion will be located in Eureka Park, the CES exhibition area dedicated to startups and national delegations organised by different countries around the world, with their respective organisations supporting the development of innovative businesses. For this edition, Italy is represented by 46 startups coming from 14 regions. Among the innovations made in Italy in Las Vegas, there are numerous advanced computer vision sensor technologies, predictive factory maintenance, intelligent waste management, but space tech is also represented. And also intelligent mobility: from solid supercapacitors for high-performance electric vehicles to a self-driving robotaxi that can be used in a fleet that can be driven remotely. Again this year, the Italian pavilion will pay great attention to clean-tech, that is technologies for environmental sustainability: from the production of energy mobility, with light, portable and foldable solar panels, to a system of sensors that monitor the presence of polluting gases in large areas, also providing the possibility of preventing the spread of fires; however, there is also an IoT solution to reduce the energy costs of operating industrial machinery without replacing them, and a new technology for additive manufacturing that makes the mass production of components obsolete. And also, health, with technologies mainly based on AI that support doctors’ interventions, in the anamnesis and diagnostic phase, in the clinical evaluation in veterinary visits, or support post-operative patients in following correct rehabilitation. There are also numerous technologies aimed at the mass public, such as the “virtual concierge” for hospitality and the robot that accompanies visits to the museum.   The Startups 221e, 3dnextech, AI4IV, Apogeo Space, Certy, Coderblock, Èlevit, EMC Gems, Enphos, Eye2Drive, Friendz, Ganiga, GeniAi, Icarus, In Quattro, Innova, Kintana, Laika, Levante, Lieu.city, Mathclick, MIA, Novac, Pinpoint, Planybuild, PopulaRise, Proke, Radoff, Rem Montenapoleone, SeismicGuard, Sensor ID, SLY, SnapAll, SpaceVerse, The Thinking Clouds, TokNox, ToMove, Travel Verse, Truesense, TUC, Viber Alert, Viralba, Volumio, WiData, WhoTeach, Zephorum.

Friuli Venezia Giulia continues to show a positive post-pandemic recovery trend in terms of the flow of foreign researchers and lecturers within the institutions and incoming mobility. This is what emerges from the annual “Mobility of Knowledge” survey conducted by Area Science Park, which has been collecting the main data on students, researchers and lecturers from the research institutions partnered with SiS FVG since 2005. The survey reveals that a total of 36,925 students were enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic year, 7% of whom were foreign nationals (compared to 36,459 students in 2021/2022, 6% of whom were foreigners). Female students represent 56% of the total enrolled (a 1% increase from the previous survey) and they mainly attend degree courses in the field of Humanities or related to Social Sciences. The number of incoming students, 707 in total, is now approaching pre-pandemic levels. Of these, 75% have European citizenship, 53% are female and 47% are enrolled in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe. There are a total of 1,104 outgoing mobility students, with 93% of them choosing destinations within the EU and 53% of them enrolled in courses in Human and Social Sciences. “Friuli Venezia Giulia is confirmed as an attractive destination for international students,” remarked Alessia Rosolen, Regional Councillor for Labour, Training, Education, Research, Universities and Families. “This is thanks to the good reputation of the regional university and research system, which draws thousands of talented individuals to the Region’s scientific and innovation system, and to the system of measures and incentives for the right to study, as well as opportunities for PhD students and researchers. It should also be noted that in 2022, the Region adopted a law to attract and retain expertise, offering benefits, contributions and solutions to balance work-life commitments for young individuals and their families who choose to build their life projects in Friuli Venezia Giulia. With a new draft law on social innovation, we intend to strengthen this package of measures and offer better conditions to those who choose our region for work and study. Attracting talent,” Rosolen concluded, “means attracting investments, supporting development with a high innovation content and creating quality employment.” As for researchers and lecturers employed by the scientific institutions that are part of the Scientific and Innovation System (SiS FVG), their numbers reached 3,641 in 2023. Although this is an increase of approximately 280 compared to 2022; the overall figure remains significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels (6,960 in 2019). The gender ratio remains unchanged, with women accounting for just over one-third of the sample (35%). When cross-referencing gender data with scientific disciplines, it becomes evident that the fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, ICT, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe continue to be strongly male-dominated. Lastly, concerning foreign personnel working within the SiS FVG institutions, 2023 saw the largest increase in the past four years, rising from 636 to 804 individuals, although the numbers are still far from pre-pandemic levels. Conversely, incoming mobility for researchers and lecturers has increased by almost 4,000, reaching 7,854 individuals. Of these, 89% belong to the scientific areas of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, ICT, Earth Sciences and Sciences of the Universe, while 27% have European citizenship. Outgoing mobility also increased in 2023, with 75 trips abroad, primarily to EU countries (43%), but also to Asian countries (20%, excluding India and China). Overall, the total number of foreign personnel within the SiS FVG Scientific and Innovation System institutions shows a marked increase compared to the previous year, from 7,597 to 11,934, a figure approaching pre-pandemic levels (approximately 14,000). The complete survey, available in Italian and English, can be downloaded here.

Innovation, sustainability and skills. These are the key words in the first Report on the Maritime Industry in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, created with the support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and thanks to the collaboration between mareFVG, Area Science Park and DEAMS – the Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Trieste. To support this study, data from the M.IND platform (Maritime Industry by mareFVG) was used and was collected thanks to initial contributions from the chamber of commerce system and regional employers’ associations, the Area Science Park Innovation Intelligence FVG platform and the ModeFinance databases. DEAMS and mareFVG also conducted nine interviews with companies in the sector, delving into topics such as technological and market challenges, the evolution of skills and the sustainability pathways launched by businesses. This document is the result of five years of work and is continuously updated, making it possible to analyse the positioning of the regional maritime sector – made up of 1,350 companies – within the Italian, European and international context. It highlights the distribution of businesses in the maritime value chains, the value of individual products and services and the orientation towards innovation and sustainability. Using purpose-built indicators, the document not only defines the current state of the art propensity for innovation and sustainability but it also highlights the evolution of technologies and skills necessary for tackling the ongoing technological transition in the sector. Thus, the Report on the Maritime Industry in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region becomes a very important and useful tool for designing initiatives and services that respond to the needs of the entrepreneurial fabric. Lucio Sabbadini emphasizes how: “The Report reveals that the maritime economy in Friuli Venezia Giulia represents 15% of the total economy and directly employs over 10,000 workers. It also has a primary importance in terms of exports—nearly 40% of Italy’s exports in the shipbuilding sector (€3.496 billion) originate here, accounting for almost 16% of the region’s exports. This sector demonstrated exceptional resilience during the pandemic crisis and continues to show significant growth today (76% of companies report a growing turnover, 68% report strong growth), while most other economic sectors are showing considerable signs of crisis. The industry is investing in innovation, with 43% of companies showing a propensity for innovation, and is increasingly focused on sustainability, thanks to the strong synergy activated with the regional scientific system and despite a 70% reduction in regional administrative support compared to the 2014–2020 period.” Professor Guido Bortoluzzi from the Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at the University of Trieste states: “Our survey indicates that a quarter of businesses are already engaged in sustainability issues, distinguishing themselves through certifications, financial investments, professional skill development and monitoring of their value chain. Over 40% have started a sustainable development path, while approximately 30% are not yet equipped to address ESG issues. A crucial aspect concerns internal expertise: three-quarters of businesses have yet to formalise a figure dedicated to sustainability, an element that will be strategic in the coming years to address the growing attention focused on these issues. Lastly, nearly 70% of companies have adopted sustainability practices aimed at employees, underlining the crucial role of human resources in corporate processes and confirming attraction and retention as strategic priorities for the future. The centrality of environmental sustainability and people-related issues was also confirmed by the interviews conducted with both SMEs and large companies.” Enrico Longato of Area Science Park explains that: “The joint work carried out with DEAMS at the University of Trieste was particularly significant for developing a complex sustainability indicator dedicated to maritime businesses in Friuli Venezia Giulia. We took into account not only the financial sustainability of businesses but also elements such as certifications and innovation activities that can be considered green, like projects and patents where environmental compatibility is a qualifying factor or social sustainability practices adopted by companies. These analyses were made possible by enhancing the value of Area Science Park’s work on FVG Innovation Intelligence data and field activities conducted by DEAMS. From the integration of these various elements, we observed that a significant number of companies in the sample analysed have a solid economic and financial situation and have already started making substantial investments in green innovation. Nevertheless, there is still ample room to plan and implement further actions aimed at strengthening overall sustainability in corporate processes.” The Observatory of Maritime Supply Chains in Friuli Venezia Giulia was an initiative that emerged from the intuition of mareFVG, which analysed the entrepreneurial fabric in detail and developed an innovative methodology to represent the local institutions in the maritime sector. This study was subsequently transformed into the M.IND innovation platform, which makes it possible to discover the regional companies based on the supply chain in which they operate and related details. In recent years, synergies with Area Science Park, the University of Trieste and ModeFinance have enriched M.IND with new indicators, that on the propensity for innovation (developed directly by Area Science Park), which comes from the Innovation Intelligence FVG platform, and additional economic and financial indicators from ModeFinance, while a tool for measuring sustainability has been built in collaboration with the University of Trieste.   The report is available for download here.

Environmental policy and spatial planning experts, along with institutional representatives, gathered in Rome yesterday to delve deeper into key topics such as the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (NIECP), the relationship between the various levels of energy transition plans and the path towards climate neutrality undertaken by Italy’s mission cities. The event, entitled “The Role of Multilevel Governance and Integrated Spatial Planning in Supporting the Energy Transition” was jointly organised by the Italian Local Agenda 21 Coordination and Area Science Park, the Italian partners of the NECPlatform and IN-PLAN projects, both funded by the LIFE programme, to discuss the crucial role of integrated planning and collaboration between different levels of governance in achieving national and European climate and energy objectives. The day also marked the launch of the work to be carried out by National Coalition Group as part of the IN-PLAN project, offering a unique opportunity for various stakeholders to discuss and formulate recommendations on integrated planning, to later be shared with national policymakers. Testimonies coming from various Italian cities provided concrete examples of participatory approaches and innovative initiatives, such as the Climate City Contracts, highlighting the importance of multilevel governance in energy and climate planning, the focus of the NECPlatform project. Among the contributions, there were also those of the Italian “lighthouse cities” involved in the IN-PLAN project: the Municipality of Prato shared its experience in harmonising the new Municipal Structural Plan with the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, following the courses of action outlined in the Climate City Contract and the Municipality of Narni talked about the importance of interdepartmental collaboration in small to medium-sized municipalities in addressing the challenges of complexity, while the Municipality of Padua spoke of the difficulties of implementing ambitious integrated plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. The Guideline to support municipalities in drafting, implementing and monitoring territorial plans that integrate energy, climate and mobility aspects, aimed at achieving climate neutrality from a multilevel governance perspective, was also introduced. “The IN-PLAN Guideline suggests an integrated and collaborative approach that combines sectoral plans – such as those for renewable energy, sustainable mobility and climate adaptation – and urban planning in a single territorial planning strategy”, as Fabrizia Salvi from Area Science Park explained. “Furthermore, it promotes collaboration between local, regional and national levels of government, ensuring greater coherence and resources for climate actions. It aligns with European initiatives, such as the Green Deal and the EU Climate Law, and supports the goals of reducing emissions and climate neutrality”. The day also featured the 6th meeting of the Italian Dialogue Platform for the NECPlatform project that, with Annalidia Pansini representing the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), had the opportunity to discuss horizontal and vertical multilevel governance, as well as the relationship between various plans – from national to local levels – for the full implementation of energy and climate policies. Important ideas emerged and will be reported in the Policy Brief that the Italian Local Agenda 21 Coordination. This document will be propose to the participants of the Italian Dialogue Platform, presented to MASE and shared with the other projects with which we are collaborating The aim is  full promotion of climate policies in Italy and  the spread of methodologies, best practices and lessons learned.

Area Science Park will once again participate in organising the national mission that will take the best Italian tech startups to CES in Las Vegas, the world’s most important tech fair, scheduled from 7 to 10 January 2025. The national research institution will collaborate with ICE – the Italian Trade Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalisation of Italian companies – to assist the 48 startups in the Italian Pavilion, set up inside the Eureka Park, the CES area dedicated to emerging innovations. Since 2018, Area Science Park has been supporting this mission, which offers startups a tangible opportunity to engage with the global market and with potential research and industrial partners. It is a stage that allows companies to validate their solutions directly in the field, interacting with key operators and investors. This year, Area Science Park has once again organised the Startup Academy, a series of training and capacity-building sessions with experts from the world of innovation, aimed at preparing the startups to get the most out of their experience at CES: from organising the event and the best ways to interact with potential research and industrial partners, investors and the press to contractual and legal aspects, media relations management and pitching techniques. This activity is part of the deep tech innovation development initiatives, favouring strategic sectors such as life sciences, materials science, advanced digital technologies and green energy supply chains, to support business generation and promote the socioeconomic development of the national territory by connecting research and business. During CES, Area Science Park will also play a key role in the lineup of events, workshops and conferences taking place in the Arena of the Italian Pavilion, where numerous international stakeholders from the technology sector will be speaking. Participation in CES is part of Area Science Park’s strategy to support the growth of Italian tech companies. Among the most recent initiatives was the fifth edition of the Startup Marathon, held in collaboration with UniCredit and Fondazione Comunica, which ended with the final event on 26 November in Milan, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to creating connections between startups, research, industry and investors, while stimulating open innovation within the economic fabric and the development of small innovative businesses.

The fourth edition of the annual report, created by DITEDI in collaboration with scientific partners Area Science Park (Enrico Longato, Innovation Intelligence FVG), the University of Trieste (Guido Bortoluzzi and Lorenzo Porta) and the University of Udine (Maria Chiarvesio and Martina Tomasetig), with the collaboration of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, was presented at the new P. Maurensig immersive theatre in Tavagnacco. The FVG Digital Report 2024 entitled “Business Strategies in the Era of AI: How IT Companies Face and Change the Market” analyses and describes how the numerous small and medium-sized companies within the FVG digital landscape are creating new product and service offerings linked to Artificial Intelligence and how they use it to customise solutions that can impact their clients’ products and production processes, either independently or by using collaborative forms, including business networks, to bring this technology into the regional production fabric. The 2024 data shows consistent and steady growth of ICT companies becoming established across the region, totalling 2,908, an increase of 2.4% compared to 2022, with a total of 2,214 companies in Friuli Venezia Giulia operating in the ICT sector, marking a 0.9% increase compared to 2022. The province of Udine represents the area of reference for regional ICT businesses, as it contains nearly half of those identified. Corporations (1,056 entities) represent the dominant company structure, accounting for 47.7% of the total, up 1.7% since 2022. These are followed by sole proprietorships (812 entities, 36.7%), which show a more significant nominal increase, with 31 additional businesses compared to 2022. The regional digital sector serves as a strong driver of innovation for the economy and the regional business system. In fact, the ICT sector currently includes 102 innovative startups, operating mainly in software development and representing 52% of all regional startups, demonstrating the importance of the sector in driving innovation. Other similar signs can be seen in the innovation propensity indicator, which reveals that 13% of regional ICT companies exhibit at least one sign of innovation. These companies account for 9% of all regional businesses with an objective propensity for innovation. Alongside the analysis of economic data and the growth dynamics of the sector, with insights into creditworthiness (ratings), the report features 12 significant business cases illustrating how regional companies are integrating AI to develop products, optimise processes and expand their markets (companies represented: AI4IV, Aindo, Datamantix, Datamind, Evoseed, eXact Lab, Eye-Tech, Infostar, Motion Analytica, NT Nuove Tecnologie, Visiofy and Visup). The FVG digital ecosystem thus appears to be growing and ready for the AI challenge, and the innovative drive not only affects products and services but also business models and relationships. The full report is available here.

The first call for the NFFA-DI infrastructure, announced in September, ended successfully on 10 November, with the active participation of 81 researchers from 28 research institutes, universities and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), as well as four international institutions. NFFA-DI is a research infrastructure distributed across Italy and was created thanks to funding by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), which integrates cutting-edge instrumentation, computational resources and scientific data management in line with “Fair” and open science principles. Working alongside the eight operational units of the National Research Council (CNR), which coordinates the project, are those of the partner institutions: Area Science Park, the Polytechnic University of Milan and the University of Milan. These 11 operational units are centres of excellence in nanoscience and nanotechnology in Italy. In the first call, 29 research projects were presented, leveraging the capabilities of the consortium’s five distributed installations, made available through its 11 access points, also using them in combination with each other to obtain innovative results. The topics covered span across various cutting-edge scientific areas, including Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering and ICT. Applications range from quantum technologies to biotechnology applied to diagnostics, sustainable energy solutions, hybrid materials research in nanotechnology and photonics. These areas of research are crucial for developing innovative solutions to global challenges such as sustainable energy, advancements in medical technologies and innovation in electronic devices and communications, as well as enhancing computational capabilities. The projects submitted involve not only basic research but also applied research, with two projects explicitly expressing industrial interest. A total of 45 experimental sessions were requested in the first call, corresponding to 260 days of access to the facilities. Notably, young researchers made up approximately one third of the participants, highlighting the importance of NFFA-DI as a valuable opportunity for researchers in the early stages of their careers to engage with state-of-the-art techniques and advanced instrumentation, supported by industry experts. The second call for the project is now open and will close on 15 April 2025. Key numbers: 29 Projects submitted (2 of industrial interest) 45 Experimental sessions requested 260 Days of access to the infrastructure requested 18 Different scientific techniques 28 Institutions (2 SMEs and 4 foreign institutions) 81 Users (of which one third are young researchers: students, PhD students, post-docs) (Source: CNR)

A dynamic sector, ready to face the challenges of innovation and diversification. These are the findings of Comet’s report on the Friuli Venezia Giulia Metalworking Industry Observatory presented on 27 November in Valvasone Arzene, at the TreZero Winery. The meeting was divided into two round tables: in the first one, moderated by Cluster Comet director Saverio Maisto, the report was illustrated by Enrico Longato (Area Science Park), Anna Maria Moressa (Intesa Sanpaolo), Maria Chiarvesio (University of Udine), Guido Bortoluzzi (University of Trieste); the second round table, moderated by Michele Valerio (Eupragma), gave voice to businesses, with Stefano Picinich (Airworks Srl), Matteo Querini (Eurolls SpA), Elisa Quattrin (Meccanica Hi-Tech Srl), Alessandro Sist (Siom Srl SB). The event was organised in partnership with Area Science Park, University of Trieste, University of Udine, Intesa Sanpaolo. The meeting highlighted three main topics: – An international vocation The metalworking sector accounts for 46% of regional manufacturing, with an electro-mechanical specialisation (94% of metalworking sector). As of November 2024, the industry ‘held up’ better than predicted in the June flash report, with 5,114 businesses (-0.3% compared to November 2023, instead of -0.7%), while the rest of the manufacturing sector performed in line with expectations. The province of Udine accounts for 45% of the regional companies, the area that has recorded the most significant decrease since 2021 (-2.3%). The province of Pordenone remains stable, with 32% of the companies. The tendency towards internationalisation remains strong (41% of companies); exports are prevalent among medium and large companies, which are often innovative and certified. – Diversification and economic performance Intesa Sanpaolo’s internal survey regarding its commercial network shows that businesses in Friuli Venezia Giulia are increasing the geographical diversification of their outlet and supply markets, exceeding the Italian average. In 2023, revenue growth at current prices was 22.5%, with an improvement in profit margins (+2 points compared to 2019), driven by foreign operations (25.9% growth) and participation in the construction industry. – Business diversification strategies In a rapidly evolving market, businesses in Friuli Venezia Giulia interviewed by the Universities of Udine and Trieste are experimenting with new strategies: some focus on geographical or sectoral diversification to grow or to avoid crises, while others are strengthening their presence in current markets. However, diversification requires transversal skills and the ability to adapt to the rules of the new markets, which not all companies possess. ‘Over the years, the metalworking industry in Friuli Venezia Giulia has managed to acquire a role of excellence at the international level, thanks to its solid tradition of craftsmanship skills and technological innovation,’ commented COMET Cluster Director, Saverio Maisto. ‘However, today we face an even greater challenge: the world is changing at an exponential speed, global scenarios are complex, and what has made us strong so far may no longer be sufficient to guarantee continuing success. This is how we have always worked; it is no longer a security, quite the contrary. The ability to adapt and anticipate the future is crucial. We have to look beyond the boundaries of the traditional and historical sectors in which we have been, and perhaps still are, leaders, exploring new markets that, while initially presenting themselves as challenges, may turn out to be extraordinary opportunities. This is why it becomes essential to diversify, not only strategically but also in the immediate future. ‘Only by embracing new sectors and markets, continuing to collaborate with the territory, innovating and consolidating our skills, businesses in Friuli Venezia Giulia can continue to play a leading role in our history. “The future of the Friuli Venezia Giulia metalworking sector will depend on its ability to combine tradition and innovation, diversifying markets and sectors and integrating emerging technologies. The cooperation and support of COMET will be central to ensuring competitiveness and resilience in global markets,’ concluded Comet President, Sergio Barel. He emphasized how the Friuli Venezia Giulia metalworking sector is facing the challenges of a complex economic and geopolitical context through geographical and sectoral diversification. This key strategy reduces dependence on traditional markets, such as the German one, and opens up new opportunities in areas of higher growth (Northern Europe, Asia, the United States) thanks to niche technical skills and high-quality production), and regulated sectors (aerospace, medical, defence). As for artificial intelligence, which is transforming the sector by improving quality, supply chain and innovation, ‘it, requires investment in training and infrastructure’. The president closed his speech by inviting companies, industrial clusters, universities and institutions to build networks.

A robotic device that uses ultrasound technology to treat liver cancer, one of the world’s leading causes of death, with over 900,000 cases every year. The Pisa-based startup Soundsafe Care has won first prize in the 2024 Startup Marathon. The startup competition, promoted by Area Science Park, UniCredit and Fondazione Comunica, ended on Tuesday, 26 November, with an event hosted at the UniCredit headquarters in Milan. Ten finalists were selected by a jury of entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts, from a pool of over 60 startups and innovative SMEs, enrolled in the competition by incubators, accelerators, research centres and universities all over Italy. Awards for Startups Operating in the artificial intelligence, innovative materials, nutraceutical, agritech, healthcare, gaming, electric mobility and medical innovation sectors, the ten startups competed for access to the UniCredit Start Lab acceleration programme. The overall winner, Soundsafe Care, is a company supported by the Navacchio Technology Hub. Using focused ultrasound, the device developed by the startup provides a non-invasive and drug-free alternative for the treatment of liver cancer, reducing complications and hospital costs. Thanks to advanced imaging and automation technology, the device improves treatment precision and reduces intervention times. Soundsafe Care also received the award for the best predominantly female startup, guaranteeing participation in the BoostHerUp internationalisation programme, promoted by Area Science Park. In second place was another med-tech startup, Impavid from Turin, nominated for the contest by G-Factor, the Fondazione Golinelli business incubator. Impavid develops an innovative biodegradable cardiac patch to combat post-ischaemic heart failure. This biomimetic and bioresorbable patch recreates the structure of myocardial tissue, promoting cell recovery and adapting to the heart’s rhythm. Initially designed for bypass procedures, it offers a safer and less invasive solution to improve patients’ quality of life. With strong potential in the US and European markets, the product responds to the growing demand for advanced cardiology technologies. Ranked third, the Lecce-based BeadRoots – supported by Eatable Adventures – develops a natural and biodegradable hydrogel derived from algae. This hydrogel efficiently retains and releases water to improve agricultural productivity and reduce water wastage, especially in areas affected by drought. Unlike synthetic products, the gel is eco-friendly and supports soil microorganisms without negative impacts. The startups on the podium will have the opportunity to enjoy privileged access to the pre-selection stage for the national mission at CES in Las Vegas. Awards for support organisations The top three business support organisations that nominated startups for the event were also rewarded. Points were assigned based on the ranking of the startups, with a bonus for the placement of predominantly female startups. The first prize went to the Polo Tecnologico di Navacchio, followed by G-Factor in second place and Eatable Adventures in third place. All three were granted privileged access to the Executive MBA in Business Innovation created by the MIB Trieste School of Management. This same recognition was awarded individually to all 10 finalist startups. The 2024 edition also introduced the Open Innovation B2B competition, which challenged startups and innovative SMEs to respond to specific innovation needs indicated by corporate partners of the initiative. “We are very pleased with this fifth edition of Startup Marathon”, said Roberto Pillon, head of the Business Generation Office at Area Science Park. “The startups selected for the finals operate in very diverse sectors, showing how innovation is a cross-cutting element in every market and how initiatives like this can support its development. Today, the transformative capabilities of technology, with the even greater potential of the deep-tech sector, have an enormous impact on every industry: a scenario that can be expressed in full through close collaboration between producers of innovation and businesses capable of leveraging it.” Renzo Chervatin, head of Territorial Development for UniCredit North Est, stated: “There are many reasons to feel satisfied with the 2024 edition of Startup Marathon, particularly the creation of a virtuous ecosystem made up of corporate companies, investors and numerous accelerators and incubators at the national level. As UniCredit, we have made available the know-how gained in over a decade as pioneers and leaders supporting the world of Italian startups, with the intent of reaffirming, in practice, our commitment to work alongside those who want to invest in innovation, by proposing growth opportunities to businesses and jobs to young people.” Gianni Potti, President of Fondazione Comunica and founder of DIGITALmeet, added: “This is a brilliant demonstration of digital literacy, one of the biggest challenges for the country. In addition to this, there are also innovation and entrepreneurial skills, requirements that the Jury used for the 2024 edition of Startup Marathon: as of September, there were 16,500 innovative startups in Italy; at the same time, there were nearly 200 thousand in Europe, concentrated in the technology, sustainability, digital health and artificial intelligence sectors. Startups are a fundamental driving force for the future, thanks to their ability to innovate, adapt and transform entire sectors.” “This is yet another demonstration of an idea that turned out to be spot on”, commented Antonio Bassi and Maurizio Caradonna, founders of Startup Marathon, “The Startup Marathon final, attended by a high-profile audience, showcased entrepreneurial ventures with great opportunities for development and teams with high-level skills and technological knowledge, supported by organisations that aim to create high-potential businesses throughout the nation. We are proud to have contributed, even in a small way, to encouraging the growth of this innovation ecosystem”.  Startup Marathon was founded in 2020 and, over the years, it has selected and rewarded innovative companies operating in sectors such as artificial intelligence, diagnostics, IoT and sustainability. Winners of past editions include Katakem, a spin-off of the University of Catanzaro, that accelerates the development of new molecules, CAEmate, a company that has developed software for the predictive maintenance of infrastructures, Aisent, which provides services based on AI, machine learning and computer vision, and M2Test, a spin-off of the University of Trieste that has created an innovative method for diagnosing osteoporosis. Partners In addition to the three promoters, several partners support Startup Marathon, including Angel For Women, ASAC, Avvio Capital, Bando Easy, Camst Group, Carel, Chiesi, CRCLEX, DBA Group, Eatable Adventures, ELIS Innovation Hub, Eurotherm, Fastweb, FITT, Galdi, Giordano Controls, HiRef, Italian Angels for Growth, Italian Business Angels Network, LIFTT, Manni Group, Master Builders Solutions, Mastercard, Maxfone, MIB Trieste School of Management, MITO Tech Ventures, One Factory, San Marco Group, Star Tech Ventures, Step, Unicorn Trainers Club, Venture Factory and WDA.   The Finalist Startups and their Supporting Organisations BeadRoots, Lecce, supported by Eatable Adventures Cartesia Solutions, Pisa, supported by Digital Hub Impavid, Turin, supported by G-Factor InnoItaly, Codognè (Treviso), supported by Trentino Sviluppo Joule, Campodarsego (Padua), supported by Seedble Northern Light Composites, Monfalcone (Gorizia), supported by TEC4I FVG NuHpro, Rimini, supported by CesenaLab SoundSafe Care, Pisa, supported by Polo tecnologico di Navacchio Weabios, Pisa, supported by Polo tecnologico di Navacchio Witty Power, Bolzano, supported by NOI Techpark   Startup Marathon is a competition for innovative businesses, open to startups, innovative SMEs and university spin-offs nominated by business incubators and accelerators. Promoted by Area Science Park, UniCredit and Fondazione Comunica, it has been selecting the most significant innovative Italian companies since 2020, accelerating their go-to-market journey.

The Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium, CERIC-ERIC is calling for proposals for coordinated access to more than 60 instruments and support laboratories for research in all fields of materials, biomaterials and nanotechnology. The call is open to researchers from all over the world. In addition to the possibility to access several instruments through a single application, CERIC-ERIC offers support for mobility. To apply, use the link “Submit a new CERIC proposal” in the Virtual Unified Office – VUO, at https://vuo.elettra.trieste.it/ As usual, there will be two deadlines: September 2nd 2024, at 17:00 CEST, to have a pre-evaluation and the possibility to improve your proposal October 1st 2024, at 17:00 CEST (final submission), recommended only for users that are experts in all the techniques requested. What is new in this call? Over the last years, CERIC has been increasing its capacities in the field of Energy Materials. To this end, three energy storage facilities with state-of-the-art techniques in the field of fuel cells and batteries research, have been recently included in CERIC open access offer: European Commissions’s Joint Research Centre for Battery Energy Storage Testing Laboratory and the Fuel Cell and Electrolyser Testing laboratory in Petten, The Netherlands Hydrogen Technology Centre (HTC) at Charles University in Prague After almost a year, the Inelastic Ultraviolet Scattering with fixed-energy sources (IUVS-Offline) lab at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste is available again in the CERIC offer. The equipment of the laboratory has been enriched of the new Lab Model Deep UV Resonance Raman & Photoluminescence Spectrometer (excitation wavelength at 248 nm with microscopic imaging). CERIC continues to offer access to: AMS-IRMS Accelerator Mass Spectrometry for radiocarbon dating at the CEDAD laboratory of the University of Salento, Italy European Commission’s Joint Research Centre Nanobiotechnology Laboratory in Ispra, Italy Next Generation Sequencing at the Laboratory for Genomics and Epigenomics (LAGE) in Trieste, Italy For maintenance reasons, the ion beam facilty at the Ruđer Bošković Institute will not be offering access during the current Call for proposals to their laboratory, therefor the instruments IRRA, NMicro and ToF-ERDA will not be available, while RBSc and PIXE/RBS will be available at the CEDAD laboratory in Lecce. The Thermal Neutron Three-axis Spectometer (TAST) at the Budapest Neutron Centre is currently out of service and will not be available in the current Call for Proposals. For further information about the call, please visit the website https://www.ceric-eric.eu/users/call-for-proposals/