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9 May 2025

The second edition of the International Open Innovation Programme – System Innovation Edition is underway. This matchmaking programme brings together the most innovative companies in Emilia-Romagna and the most promising business and research solution providers worldwide to co-develop concrete solutions and projects focused on sustainable innovation, which aims to concentrate the development of innovative product and service methodologies on users, their needs and requirements.

The solution providers sought include suppliers of innovative solutions with a minimum TRL of 3 (for more information on TRL, visit: General Annex H2020) and include: micro-enterprises, SMEs, scale-ups, start-ups, spin-offs, laboratories, research groups and researchers, including those belonging to the Ecosister partnership.

The 34 companies that launched the 31 Open Innovation challenges are: AD Consulting S.p.A., Associazione Italiana Sementieri e Vivaisti (Assosementi) in partnership with SESVanderHave and DLF (UBS), STRUBE and KWS, the Provincial Association of Beekeepers of Piacenza, B.BRAUN AVITUM Italy S.p.A., Cà Colonna soc. agricola S.r.l., Cavalleretti Stampaggio S.r.l., the Bologna Agri-Food Centre (CAAB), CHIESI FARMACEUTICI S.p.A., CIRFOOD, Cleanup S.r.l.s., CNH Industrial Italia S.p.A., Dallara Automobili S.p.A., DUERRE Tubi Style Group S.p.A., EDILGRISENDI S.p.A., GVS S.p.A., Hydrosynergy cooperative, Idraulica Sighinolfi Albano S.r.l., IREN S.p.A., Maccaferri Tunneling S.r.l., Parmalat S.p.A., SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA Società Cooperativa (SACMI IMOLA S.C.), SCM GROUP S.p.A., SIT Società Italiana Tecnospazole S.p.A., Società Cooperativa Imballaggio A.r.l., STEF Italia S.p.A., Tetra Pak Packaging Solutions S.p.A., TURINGSENSE EU LAB, Unigrà S.p.A., Unipol Assicurazioni S.p.A., Vassalli S.r.l., VIS Hydraulics S.r.l. Società Benefit.

The theme of the second edition of IOIP is System Innovation, which includes Climate Change, Natural Resources and Biodiversity. The 31 challenges focus in particular on four clusters that will be explored in depth in four webinars, two of which are still to take place, namely:

• Sustainable materials, products and processes: this includes challenges focused on the development of innovative materials, products and processes with a reduced environmental impact, promoting the circular economy and reducing waste;

(webinar 13 May 16:00 – 16:45)

• Green energy and biodiversity: present challenges aimed at creating systems for the use of renewable energy sources and developing solutions for the protection of biodiversity.

(webinar 15 May 16:00 – 16:45)

To register for the webinars, you can use this form: IOIP System Innovation Webinar Registration.

International business and research solvers interested in responding to the 31 challenges can submit their applications until 27 June 2025, while matchmaking meetings can be scheduled until 11 July 2025 by visiting the initiative's website.

It is advisable to register as soon as possible in order to have more time to get to know the participating companies and start collaborative projects.

Business and research solvers who apply will be eligible based on the consistency of their solution with the strategic needs presented by companies in Emilia-Romagna and also on the technological maturity of the innovative solution proposed. Admitted business and research solvers will take part in an entirely digital programme lasting approximately 3 months (14th April – 11th July), during which they will have the opportunity to present their project and organize meetings with companies to evaluate possible synergies and partnership arrangements. At the end of September 2025, a final event will be held, open to the public, during which the results achieved will be shared.

For more information and details about the programme, participating companies, event partners, and to stay up to date with the latest news, please write to ioip@art-er.it or visit the official website.