'Where Innovation Happens'
On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, the launch event of Knowledge Share 2.0 took place at the headquarters of the National Research Council (CNR) in Rome, with the presence of the Vice Minister of Enterprises and Made In Italy, Valentino Valentini.
The initiative provided a unique opportunity to showcase the new features and content of the platform, with a particular focus on the section dedicated to University Spin-Offs, Research Centers, and IRCCS – Scientific Institutes for Hospitalization and Treatment – a highly resonant element in the current innovation landscape.
The event, open to the public, hosted a variety of participants from different fields, including representatives from businesses, the investment world, institutions, and public research.
Among the distinguished guests was Vice Minister Valentino Valentini, who emphasized the importance of Knowledge Share 2.0 in the context of innovation and technological transfer in Italy as an integral part of the strength of Made in Italy.
'Innovation is crucial for the competitive development of businesses and is at the center of the government's political agenda,' commented Valentino Valentini, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. He continued, 'The country's research structures ensure the availability of a raw material (innovation) that, although intangible, is crucial for entrepreneurial growth and development. However, it is necessary to ensure that research results are integrated into valorization processes that can bring all the available innovative heritage to the market. In this perspective, the Knowledge Share 2.0 platform – a unique information tool globally, also recognized as a "best practice" by the European Commission – is a useful and powerful instrument that, I am sure, businesses and investors will be able to leverage effectively.'
Knowledge Share (KS) is a digital platform that allows businesses, investors, and innovators from all sectors to discover and connect with the best technologies, start-ups, and spin-offs from the research world to jointly develop innovative products and services that contribute to societal well-being through scientific and technological evolution.
The KS project, developed by the Netval Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Enterprises and Made In Italy – Italian Patent and Trademark Office (MIMIT – UIBM), originated from an idea at the Polytechnic University of Turin and was funded as part of the national Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). This investment, part of the European Union's NEXTGENERATIONEU project, promises to significantly contribute to technological and digital progress and innovation in Italy.
'Since its inception, Netval has been a promoter of the economic development of the country through training, networking, and support to national institutions in the field of research valorization,' said Engineer Giuseppe Conti, President of Netval and General Director of IUSS Pavia. 'Knowledge Share, in particular, is an Italian success story: a best practice widely recognized abroad that can concretely help our businesses and academic and research institutions collaborate more efficiently. We are very proud and grateful to be able to serve our members and the entire nation by contributing to this important project.'
The Netval Association, representing the Italian network of Technology Transfer and Third Mission offices of public research, together with the Giuseppina MAI Foundation of Confindustria, played a fundamental role in organizing the event, actively involving their respective ecosystems through a series of online and in-person sessions.
The Scientific Committee, composed of representatives from associations and entities supporting innovation, contributed to defining the agenda and format of the event, ensuring a thorough and stimulating discussion.
The event included moments of great interest, such as the presentation of the "KS 2.0" platform and vertical sessions dedicated to successful cases of the platform and the Knowledge Share project, along with presentations on financing tools dedicated to entities – such as Spin-offs and Start-ups – taking their first steps in the innovation market.
An example is the project related to 'Building Materials from Sawdust.' Presented at the launch event of KS 2.0, it represents a successful case of collaboration between public research – specifically the Polytechnic University of Turin – and a business entity – Marazzato, a key player in waste management and the use of secondary raw materials (MPS). The partnership between the Turin University and the Vercelli-based player resulted in a research and development path to implement projects and technologies for the transformation of sawdust and waste into construction materials, as well as furnishings and design components, with a focus on circularity and sustainability. This initiative is progressively involving smaller companies in the extractive industry.
The day concluded with networking opportunities, including B2B meetings.
Knowledge Share 2.0 reaffirms its role as a key tool in connecting research with the practical needs of businesses, supporting growth and innovation in the Italian landscape.
The launch event of KS 2.0 was endorsed by: the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, the Ministry of University and Research, CNR – National Research Council, Invitalia, Giuseppina Mai Foundation, Italian Tech Alliance, AIFI – Italian Association of Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Private Debt, Miami Scientific Italian Community, LES Italy, AICIPI – Italian Association of Industrial Property Consultants, IASP – International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation, and IUSS – Higher University School Pavia.