A dynamic hybrid event bringing together national and regional stakeholders and the EIT Knowledge & Innovation Communities.
On 18 February 2025, the EIT Community Hub Italy successfully launched a dynamic event that brought together over 200 participants, including policymakers, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and academics. Co-organised by the EIT Community Hub Italy, ART-ER S. cons. p. a. and APRE – Agency for the Promotion of European Research and EIT Manufacturing South, the event took place at Tecnopolo Manifattura Data Valley Hub in Bologna and online, providing a platform to foster cross-sector collaboration and drive innovation in key areas such as digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. The EIT Community Hub Italy is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
The event began with an institutional welcome from key representatives, including Ilaria Tagliavini, Head of Operations at the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), and Adriano Ippoliti, Director of Division V—State Aid and European and International Industrial Cooperation at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT).
Following the opening, Marta Molinero, EIT Community Officer, introduced the EIT Community Hub Italy, highlighting its role in supporting the on-the-ground presence of the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities and collaborating with local authorities and organisations. The EIT Community Hub Italy is based in Milan at the EIT Manufacturing South premises, but its activities span Italy.
The event featured three insightful panel discussions:
- Building a competitive future: research, entrepreneurship, and business growth – Experts from APRE – Agency for the Promotion of European Research, InnovUp- Italian Association for Incubators, startups and innovative SMEs, and Invitalia – Italian national development agency explored strategies to boost innovation in Italy, highlighting the key role of each organisation in the ecosystem. Discussions covered Horizon Europe’s support for research-industry collaboration, regulatory updates for startups, and the evolving role of incubators. Experts also addressed funding opportunities and advisory services for startups at the national level.
- Digital transformation: leveraging data and building deep tech skills – Experts from EIT Manufacturing, EIT Digital, EIT Health InnoStars, EIT Culture & Creativity, and the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative discussed key drivers of digital transformation, the role of data analytics, and cross-sector collaboration. Topics included digital health innovations, AI, the European Health Data Space, digital cultural investments, and deep tech skills development. The session highlighted how strategic partnerships and technology adoption shape Europe’s innovation landscape.
- Green transition: joining forces across sectors – Experts from EIT Urban Mobility, EIT Food, EIT Climate-KIC, and EIT RawMaterials discussed key innovation drivers for sustainability and cross-sector collaboration. The panel highlighted public transport and energy solutions, systemic approaches to climate adaptation, circular strategies for critical raw materials, and innovations in the food sector.
Sanzio Bassini, Director of Cineca’s HPC Department, delivered a keynote speech emphasising the importance of high-performance computing in technological advancements. Bassini also highlighted the IT4LIA AI Factory, one of the seven proposals selected to establish and operate the first AI Factories across Europe.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Marina Silverii, Executive Director of ART-ER, and Gian Mario Maggio, Managing Director of EIT Manufacturing South, which leads the EIT Community Hub Italy.
- Marina Silverii stated, “The launch of the EIT Community Hub Italy and the definition of a national coordination structure represents a significant step forward in promoting innovation and collaboration across sectors. As a regional entity, ART-ER is committed to working closely with the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities to drive synergies that benefit the Italian innovation ecosystem. In addition, the availability of cutting-edge infrastructures, such as the Leonardo HPC system, provides a solid foundation for supporting advanced research and technology development.”
- Gian Mario Maggio added, “The EIT Community Hub Italy serves as a one-stop shop for EIT, providing a critical mass of innovation opportunities within the Italian ecosystem. This initiative enhances cross-KIC collaboration and creates a powerful vehicle to engage stakeholders and direct their interest towards the EIT Knowledge Innovation Communities. Furthermore, the Hub facilitates synergies with regional and national actors such as ART-ER and APRE, promoting the exchange of best practices and driving impactful innovation.”
The event also hosted a cross-KIC matchmaking workshop in the afternoon, organised in collaboration with EIT Manufacturing South, EDIH BIREX++, Fondazione Piemonte Innova, and the Smart Communities Cluster. This workshop allowed attendees to collaborate on upcoming EU funding opportunities in areas such as smart cities, industry digitalisation, green transition, and future skills development.
The networking lunch further facilitated exchanges between participants and representatives from various EIT Knowledge Innovation Communities (KICs), fostering new partnerships and synergies across industries.
The successful launch of the EIT Community Hub Italy underscores the commitment of the EIT Community initiatives to power innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity in Italy and beyond.
For more information, please contact the EIT Community Hub Italy at italy@eitcommunity.eu or follow the LinkedIn page.