EIT Manufacturing South and Fondazione Piemonte Innova form a strategic network partnership to drive innovation in European manufacturing

EIT Manufacturing South and Fondazione Piemonte Innova have signed a significant partnership agreement to strengthen collaboration and innovation in the European manufacturing sector. This partnership will leverage both organisations’ knowledge, networks, and resources to promote digital transformation, advanced manufacturing technologies, and sustainable industrial solutions.

EIT Manufacturing South, a Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), connects key manufacturing sector players in Southern Europe, including Italy, Switzerland, and Malta. Its mission focuses on fostering innovation through knowledge transfer, business creation, and educational initiatives.

Fondazione Piemonte Innova, based in Turin, is a key player in Italy’s innovation ecosystem. Specialising in supporting research-business collaboration and promoting innovation, it coordinates major technology clusters (the national SmartCommunities Cluster and the regional ICT Innovation Hub). It collaborates with regional and international partners to accelerate digital innovation and the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

This strategic collaboration aims to provide access to a shared network for innovation proposals, enabling technology validation, new project development, and participation in European and national funding initiatives.

A particular focus will be dedicated to regions with lower innovation levels through the Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), reducing the technological gap and promoting more inclusive innovation policies.

The partnership will also involve organising matchmaking events and workshops to strengthen networking between businesses, universities, and research institutions while supporting collaborations on European and national funding calls. High-impact seminars, webinars, and innovation and business development training courses will also be offered.

"We are delighted to welcome Piemonte Innova as our new Network Partner. This partnership represents an important step in strengthening our collaboration with the Piedmont region, a cornerstone of Italy’s manufacturing landscape. Thanks to Piemonte Innova’s exceptional network and expertise in regional, national, and European programmes, I am confident that our collaboration will help accelerate innovation processes, foster upskilling and reskilling, and ultimately enhance the competitiveness, sustainability, and resilience of the local industrial ecosystem." said Gian Mario Maggio, Managing Director of EIT Manufacturing South.

"Thanks to EIT’s expertise and international network, we will be able to expand opportunities for businesses in our region, fostering collaborations and participation in European projects. This partnership will allow us to develop new synergies between industry, research, and institutions, strengthening Piedmont’s position as a hub of excellence for digital and sustainable innovation." said Laura Morgagni, Director of Fondazione Piemonte Innova.

The first joint event took place on Tuesday, 18 February 2025, at Tecnopolo Manifattura in Bologna, as part of the launch of the EIT Community Hub Italy. EIT Manufacturing, in collaboration with Piemonte Innova, organised a matchmaking event dedicated to KICs, facilitating the planning of participation in upcoming European funding calls. More than 100 participants had the opportunity to present their initiatives and meet potential partners and collaborators.

Through this collaboration, EIT Manufacturing South and Fondazione Piemonte Innova are laying the foundation for an increasingly innovative, sustainable, and competitive manufacturing sector, contributing to the growth of the entire European industrial ecosystem.