EIT Community RIS Hub in Italy
Strengthening Italy's connection to Europe's largest innovation ecosystem
Italy’s innovation ecosystem, as reflected in the European Innovation Scoreboard, demonstrates a dynamic but also heterogeneous performance. Positioned as a Moderate Innovator, Italy shows strengths in areas such as SMEs’ innovation, resource productivity and private-public co-publication, benefiting from a strong network of small and medium-sized enterprises, robust manufacturing capabilities and confirming the openness of its public research system in engaging with the private. However, the country faces challenges, mainly in private sector R&D investment, limited access to venture capital for startups and difficulties in attracting skilled talent.
Italy’s innovation landscape is also characterised by regional disparities, with some regions having stronger infrastructures and a more dynamic ecosystems, while others face challenges in terms of innovation performance. However, in most regions, innovation performance has also grown at a rate higher than the EU average, highlighting progress in many areas of the country.
Recent initiatives, such as the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), promote digitalisation, support start-ups and foster research partnerships. These efforts aim to drive digital transformation and promote green technologies, helping to create a more cohesive innovation landscape and strengthen Italy’s overall competitiveness within the EU.
Strengthening Italy’s innovation ecosystem is essential for economic growth, global competitiveness and addressing societal challenges. A stronger ecosystem will boost productivity, support SMEs and start-ups, and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors. It will also help attract and retain talent, upskill and reskill the workforce, while positioning Italy as an active member of the global market.
About the EIT Community RIS Hub
The EIT Community RIS Hub aims to empower local innovators by facilitating access to a wide range of resources through the EIT network. The focus is on of strengthening collaboration between companies, startups, universities, Institutions and other stakeholders, as well as facilitating access to cutting-edge expertise, funding and diverse opportunities in different sectors offered by the EIT Community.
A key objective of the Hub is to increase the visibility of the EIT Community throughout Italy, ensuring that its extensive pan-European networks are easily accessible. Thus, supporting local innovators in their efforts to innovate, grow and access European markets.
The EIT comprises several Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) – EIT Digital, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT InnoEnergy, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Food, EIT Health, EIT Manufacturing, EIT Urban Mobility and EIT Culture and Creativity – each one contributing to drive sector-specific innovation. The Hub will serve as a central resource for all EIT KICs, actively promoting the participation of Italian partners and beneficiaries in the EIT Community activities and providing essential insight into the range of services and opportunities available.
The Hub is located at the EIT Manufacturing South office in Milan, its reach extends nationwide, ensuring that innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers from all regions of Italy can benefit from EIT Community initiatives.
Our LinkedIn page, EIT Community RIS Hub Italy, provides information on relevant opportunities from the EIT Community.
“The new EIT Community RIS Hub in Italy is a strategic initiative aimed at increasing the participation of Italian innovators in the EIT Community activities. By fostering cross-KIC coordination, the Hub will provide local stakeholders with the support and networks they need to transform ideas into impactful solutions while integrating with Europe’s broader innovation ecosystem. As the ECO for Italy, I look forward to collaborating with local innovation actors to create meaningful synergies and support the innovation process at the national level”.
MARTA MOLINERO, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER ITALY
EIT Funding & Impact
Italy received a total of €37.35 million in EIT grants in 2022.* This amount is €10 million higher than the funding received in 2021 and it was directed to Italian organisations via eight EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities in 2022. The largest share (19.1 million) was dedicated to business related activities. The funding included over €10 million to support Italian SMEs, with EIT Manufacturing being the largest contributor.
About the EIT Community Officer
Ms. Marta Molinero
EIT Community Officer Italy
Marta Molinero is the EIT Community Officer for Italy, where she brings over ten years of experience in the innovation sector, matured in both private and public organisations. For the past two years, she has been actively involved in the EIT KICs ecosystem as a Collaboration Manager, managing initiatives and programmes under the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) to foster collaboration across Southern European countries. Prior to this role, she worked for a national industry association, advising companies on EU and local funding, national incentives and open innovation collaborations. She also gained valuable experience in the Technology Transfer Office of a major technical university, focusing on the management of national and European funded projects, university-industry collaborations, intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and exploitation, and entrepreneurship. She holds a Master’s degree in law and a Master’s degree in Management of research, innovation and technology.
Passionate about innovation, sustainability and international relations, she looks forward to working with key local stakeholders to develop collaborative initiatives that drive impactful solutions, enhance the innovation ecosystem, and promote sustainable growth.
Contact Details
- Email: italy@eitcommunity.eu
- Phone: +39 342 0915253