Innovation & Technology Transfer Archives - INNOVA

TrackIT Blockchain

admin — Thu, 07 May 2026 16:27:30 +0000

Project Overview

TrackIT Blockchain is an initiative promoted by Agenzia ICE to support Italian companies in adopting blockchain technology for supply chain traceability and international market enhancement.

Since October 2022, INNOVA, together with HSPI and Blockchain Italia, has been recognized as a qualified service provider within the framework of the initiative, delivering specialized blockchain-based services to companies operating across multiple industrial sectors.

The project aims to increase transparency, product authenticity, and trust in international markets by leveraging blockchain technology to create secure and traceable digital supply chain systems.

Our Role & Contribution

As an official qualified service provider, INNOVA supports companies in designing and implementing blockchain-enabled traceability systems that improve product transparency and strengthen international competitiveness.

Our contribution includes:

Supply chain mapping and process analysis
Design and implementation of blockchain traceability systems
Development of APIs and digital integration solutions
Creation of user interfaces for international consumers
Training and advisory services on blockchain technologies
Support for digital innovation and international market positioning

Through these activities, INNOVA helps companies transform traditional supply chains into secure, transparent, and digitally connected ecosystems.

The Challenge

Global supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, while consumers and international markets demand greater transparency, authenticity, and sustainability.

Companies often face challenges related to:

Lack of supply chain traceability
Counterfeit risks and limited product transparency
Difficulties communicating product value internationally
Limited adoption of blockchain technologies due to technical complexity

TrackIT Blockchain addresses these barriers by providing accessible and practical blockchain solutions tailored to business needs.

Consultation Process

Supply Chain Analysis

Mapping production flows and identifying traceability requirements

Blockchain System Design

Developing customized blockchain architectures for traceability

API & Platform Development

Integrating blockchain solutions with existing digital infrastructures

Consumer Interface Creation

Designing intuitive interfaces for international end-users

Training & Technology Transfer

Supporting companies through blockchain education and adoption activities

Deployment & Market Enhancement

Implementing solutions that strengthen international positioning and product trust

Impact & Results

TrackIT Blockchain supports companies in:

improving product traceability and transparency,
increasing consumer trust and brand value,
enhancing international competitiveness,
accelerating blockchain adoption within traditional industries,
promoting digital innovation across supply chains.

The initiative contributes to the digital transformation of Italian enterprises by combining blockchain technology, innovation services, and international market strategies.

Project Information :

Project Name: TrackIT Blockchain

Category: Blockchain Innovation | Supply Chain Traceability | Digital Transformation

Timeline: Oct 2022 - Ongoing

Project Website: https://www.ice.it/it/blockchain

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AWARE

admin — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:01:05 +0000

Project Overview

At INNOVA, we are proud to contribute to AWARE, a European initiative focused on advancing sustainable innovation and environmental awareness across regions.

The project aims to empower ecosystems, organizations, and communities by promoting green transition strategies, responsible innovation, and knowledge sharing aligned with European sustainability goals.

Through collaboration among international partners, AWARE supports the development of innovative solutions, policy alignment, and capacity building to address environmental and societal challenges.

Our Role & Contribution

As the Project Coordinator, INNOVA leads the strategic direction, implementation, and overall management of the AWARE project, ensuring the successful delivery of its objectives and long-term impact.

INNOVA is an established deep-tech incubator and accelerator, acting as the parent company of a group of technology-oriented SMEs and a seed capital investment fund. With extensive experience across European innovation programmes, INNOVA has contributed to the implementation of over 38 EU-funded projects under Horizon 2020, FP7, and CIP often in coordination or key support roles.

Within AWARE, INNOVA is responsible for:

Coordinating project activities and ensuring alignment across all partners
Managing project governance, timelines, and deliverables
Overseeing communication, reporting, and stakeholder engagement
Ensuring quality control and compliance with EU standards
Driving the industrialisation, scalability, and real-world uptake of project results

Thanks to its multidisciplinary expertise and strong positioning at the intersection of research, industry, and investment, INNOVA plays a pivotal role in transforming project outcomes into market-ready, impactful solutions.

The Challenge

Europe is facing increasing pressure to accelerate the green transition, while ensuring that innovation ecosystems remain competitive and inclusive.

Key challenges include:

Limited integration of sustainability into innovation processes
Fragmented collaboration between stakeholders
Gaps in awareness and capacity for sustainable innovation

AWARE addresses these challenges by promoting a collaborative and systemic approach, enabling regions to adopt sustainable practices and strengthen their innovation capacity.

Consultation Process

Initial Assessment

Understanding regional needs and sustainability priorities

Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborating with key innovation actors and institutions

Innovation & Sustainability Mapping

Identifying opportunities for green transition

Strategy Development

Designing action plans aligned with EU sustainability goals

Implementation & Support

Activating solutions and collaborative initiatives

Monitoring & Impact Evaluation

Ensuring long-term effectiveness and scalability

Impact & Results

AWARE contributes to strengthening Europe’s innovation landscape by:

Promoting sustainable and responsible innovation practices
Supporting organizations in adopting green transition strategies
Enhancing collaboration across regions and ecosystems
Increasing awareness and capacity for sustainability-driven innovation
Contributing to a more resilient, inclusive, and competitive European economy

The project plays a key role in aligning innovation activities with the European Green Deal and sustainability agenda.

Project Information :

Project Name: AWARE

Category: European Innovation Project | Sustainability & Green Transition

Timeline: 2023 - Ongoing

Project Website: www.aware-eu.eu

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ACT-FAST

admin — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:56 +0000

Project Overview

ACT-FAST: Actions for Climate Transition by developing Future Aquaculture Strategies and Technologies is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action dedicated to identifying, validating, and demonstrating climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions tailored for European aquaculture.

The project addresses the growing climate pressures affecting aquaculture, including rising temperatures, harmful algal blooms, disease risks, lower oxygen levels, invasive species, and increasing stress on fish and shellfish production systems.

ACT-FAST works across four target regions the Mediterranean, river deltas, Central and Eastern European inland waters, and the North-East Atlantic to test practical, climate-smart solutions that strengthen resilience, improve sustainability, and support long-term food security.

Our Role & Contribution

Within ACT-FAST, INNOVA is responsible for Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation, helping ensure that project knowledge, tools, and results reach the right stakeholders and generate long-term impact.

Our contribution supports the project by:

Increasing visibility across European innovation and aquaculture ecosystems,
Engaging stakeholders through dissemination activities and outreach,
Supporting the exploitation of project results and their pathway toward uptake,
Contributing to knowledge transfer, policy dialogue, and long-term valorisation of project outcomes.

The Challenge

European aquaculture is under growing pressure from climate change. Warmer waters are reducing water quality and fish health, harmful algal blooms and parasites are becoming more frequent, and invasive species are disrupting local ecosystems and production. At the same time, the sector faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions, improve circularity, and meet sustainability standards.

ACT-FAST responds to this challenge by combining science, technology, and practical sector knowledge to develop solutions that are not only innovative, but also scalable, adoptable, and relevant to real farming conditions.

Consultation Process

Climate Risk Analysis

Assessing long-term climate trends, regional vulnerabilities, and aquaculture-specific risks.

Solution Design

Developing climate-smart feeds, monitoring tools, circular systems, and adaptive farming approaches.

Lab Validation

Testing innovations in controlled research environments before field deployment.

Farm Demonstration

Piloting solutions in real production environments across the four target regions.

Sustainability Assessment

Evaluating environmental, economic, social, and circularity impacts through life cycle and impact analysis.

Knowledge Transfer & Exploitation

Sharing results through training, webinars, the Virtual ActFast Lighthouse, policy guidance, and exploitation pathways.

Impact & Results

ACT-FAST is designed to deliver measurable benefits for climate-resilient aquaculture. According to the project newsletter and presentation, expected impacts include a 10% reduction in mortality for seabass and carp, a 5% reduction for salmon, a 10% cut in antibiotic and chemical use, improved feed efficiency, and productivity gains in several farming systems.

The project is also expected to reduce environmental pressure through circular approaches and improved feed performance. For example, the newsletter highlights the potential to save 34,000 tonnes of CO2e per year through new Mediterranean feed formulations and to support recovery of 520 hectares of salinised coastal land through wider uptake of delta solutions.

Beyond technical innovation, ACT-FAST invests in wider sector uptake through training, stakeholder engagement, webinars, and the Virtual ActFast Lighthouse, helping translate project knowledge into practical tools and long-term value for European aquaculture.

Project Information :

Project Name: ACT-FAST

Category: European Innovation Project | Climate Adaptation & Sustainable Aquaculture

Timeline: 2025 - Ongoing

Project Website: www.actfast-project.eu

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SMILE CITY

admin — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 09:00:47 +0000

Project Overview

SMILE CITY is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action focused on developing and implementing circular systemic solutions for sustainable urban mobility across Europe. The project aims to accelerate the transition toward carbon-neutral, resource-efficient, and climate-friendly cities by integrating circular economy principles into urban infrastructure and mobility systems.

Operating across 10 pilot locations in 7 countries, SMILE CITY brings together 35 partners from 13 countries to co-develop and test innovative solutions that combine mobility, energy, and materials in a holistic and scalable approach.

The initiative promotes the use of recycled materials, renewable energy, and smart urban design, supporting cities in building more resilient, sustainable, and citizen-centered environments.

Our Role & Contribution

Within SMILE CITY, INNOVA is a sub-contractor that provides specialized support to the Project Coordinator (ETRA), contributing to the effective execution and governance of the project.

Our role includes:

Supporting project management, coordination, and monitoring activities,
Ensuring the timely implementation of milestones, deliverables, and reports,
Managing documentation and performing quality checks across project outputs,
Maintaining continuous liaison with consortium partners,
Assisting in the preparation of project updates, reviews, and amendments,
Contributing to the organization of international conferences, workshops, and seminars aligned with project objectives.

Through this role, INNOVA ensures that SMILE CITY operates efficiently, maintains high-quality standards, and delivers impactful results across all participating regions.

The Challenge

European cities face increasing pressure to reduce emissions, improve mobility systems, and transition toward circular and climate-neutral models. Traditional urban infrastructures often rely on linear resource use, contributing to waste, inefficiency, and environmental degradation.

Key challenges include:

High carbon emissions from urban mobility systems,
Inefficient use of materials and lack of circular solutions,
Limited integration of renewable energy into urban infrastructure,
Growing demand for sustainable, safe, and accessible mobility options.

SMILE CITY addresses these challenges by introducing integrated, circular, and scalable solutions that combine mobility, materials, and energy into a unified framework.

Consultation Process

Urban Needs Assessment

Identifying city-specific mobility challenges, infrastructure gaps, and circular economy opportunities.

Solution Co-Design

Collaborating with municipalities, industry, and stakeholders to design integrated circular mobility solutions.

Technology Integration

Developing systems combining recycled materials, solar energy, and smart mobility infrastructure.

Pilot Implementation

Deploying solutions across 10 pilot cities to validate performance in real urban environments.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Tracking environmental, economic, and social impact through data-driven assessment and performance indicators.

Dissemination & Replication

Sharing results through events, workshops, and stakeholder engagement to enable replication across Europe.

Impact & Results

SMILE CITY is set to deliver transformative impact on urban mobility and circular economy adoption across Europe. The project integrates innovations such as off-grid charging stations, solar-powered infrastructure, cycling paths, and urban furniture made from recycled materials, creating a new model for sustainable cities.

By leveraging circular materials and renewable energy, the project contributes to:

reducing CO₂ emissions and environmental impact,
promoting sustainable and active mobility solutions,
increasing resource efficiency through reuse and recycling,
improving urban safety and quality of life.

Beyond technical outcomes, SMILE CITY actively engages citizens, municipalities, and industry leaders, fostering awareness and accelerating the transition toward a circular and climate-friendly urban economy.

The project ultimately contributes to building smarter, greener, and more resilient cities across Europe, aligned with the EU Green Deal and Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI).

Project Information :

Project Name: SMILE CITY

Category: European Innovation Project | Circular Economy | Smart & Sustainable Urban Mobility

Timeline: 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2028 (48 months)

Project Website: www.smile-city.eu

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POTENTIAL

admin — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 10:10:46 +0000

Project Overview

POTENTIAL is a large-scale European pilot project focused on the implementation and adoption of the European Digital Identity Wallet (EUDI Wallet). The initiative aims to enable citizens, businesses, and public administrations across Europe to securely access and share digital identity credentials in a trusted and interoperable way.

By testing real-life use cases across multiple sectors, POTENTIAL contributes to building a secure, user-centric, and privacy-compliant digital identity ecosystem aligned with the EU Digital Decade and eIDAS 2.0 framework.

The project brings together a wide network of public authorities, private sector organizations, and technology providers to accelerate the deployment of cross-border digital services and enhance digital trust across Europe.

Our Role & Contribution

Within POTENTIAL, INNOVA contributes to supporting project activities related to innovation ecosystems, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination, leveraging its expertise in EU project implementation and digital transformation.

Our contribution includes:

Supporting stakeholder engagement and ecosystem building
Contributing to communication and dissemination activities
Facilitating collaboration between public authorities, technology providers, and end-users
Supporting the promotion of use cases and project outcomes
Contributing to the visibility and impact of the project across European innovation networks

Through this role, INNOVA helps ensure that POTENTIAL results are effectively shared, adopted, and scaled across Europe.

The Challenge

Despite the increasing digitalization of services, Europe still faces significant challenges in achieving a fully interoperable and secure digital identity system, including:

Fragmentation of digital identity solutions across Member States
Limited cross-border usability of digital services
Concerns related to data privacy, security, and user trust
Complexity in accessing public and private digital services

POTENTIAL addresses these challenges by developing and testing a harmonized European Digital Identity Wallet, enabling seamless and secure interactions across borders.

Consultation Process

Use Case Definition

Identifying key sectors and scenarios for digital identity adoption

Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborating with governments, businesses, and technology providers

Solution Development

Designing and integrating EUDI Wallet technologies and services

Pilot Implementation

Validation & Feedback

Collecting user insights and improving system performance

Dissemination & Scaling

Promoting adoption and enabling large-scale implementation across Europe

Impact & Results

POTENTIAL is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of digital identity in Europe by:

Enabling secure and user-controlled digital identity management
Supporting cross-border digital services and interoperability
Increasing trust in digital transactions and data sharing
Accelerating the adoption of the European Digital Identity Wallet
Contributing to a more integrated, digital, and citizen-centric European ecosystem

The project ultimately strengthens Europe’s digital sovereignty and supports the transition toward a fully digital, secure, and inclusive society.

Project Information :

Project Name: POTENTIAL

Category: European Innovation Project | Digital Identity | eGovernment & Digital Transformation

Timeline: 2023 – 2026

Project Website: www.potential-eu.eu

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COFAM

admin — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 10:10:37 +0000

Project Overview

COFAM (CO₂ Footprint Authentication Module) is an Innovation Agreement project focused on advancing digital carbon monitoring, verification, and regulatory compliance through a RegTech-driven approach. Developed within the framework of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE), the project addresses critical challenges in carbon markets by transforming raw environmental data into verified, compliance-ready digital assets.

COFAM introduces a next-generation platform that integrates IoT sensors, drone-based monitoring, cloud-native infrastructure, and blockchain technologies to ensure high levels of transparency, traceability, and data integrity in carbon accounting.

The project directly supports emerging European frameworks such as the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) and contributes to achieving LULUCF 2030 targets, reinforcing the transition toward trustworthy and scalable carbon markets.

Our Role & Contribution

Within the COFAM project, INNOVA is a sub contractor for Webgenesys SpA and played a key role in designing the RegTech model for carbon data verification and compliance, ensuring alignment with both European and international regulatory frameworks.

Our role includes:

Developing digital MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) frameworks aligned with ISPRA and IPCC methodologies
Supporting regulatory compliance integration for EU ETS, CRCF, and ESG reporting frameworks
Designing data standardization and ETL pipelines to convert raw environmental data into certification-ready formats
Contributing to blockchain-based traceability systems to ensure auditability and prevent double counting
Supporting pilot design, validation, and scalability strategies across real-world environments
Facilitating interoperability with carbon markets and voluntary standards (e.g., VCS/VERRA)

Through these activities, INNOVA ensured that COFAM delivers high-integrity, audit-ready carbon data, enabling more efficient and transparent certification processes.

The Challenge

Carbon markets today face significant structural and regulatory challenges, including:

Fragmented regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions
Lack of standardized and interoperable MRV systems
High costs and long timelines for carbon certification
Limited trust due to data inconsistencies and risk of double counting
Difficulty integrating carbon removals into compliance markets

Traditional monitoring methods rely on manual, inconsistent, and non-standardized data collection, which undermines reliability and scalability.

COFAM addresses these challenges by introducing a fully digital, automated, and standardized approach to carbon data verification.

Consultation Process

Regulatory Needs Assessment

Identification of compliance requirements across EU ETS, CRCF, ISPRA, and ESG frameworks.

System Architecture Design

Development of cloud-native infrastructure integrating IoT, remote sensing, and blockchain technologies.

Data Standardization & Integration

Implementation of ETL pipelines to transform raw environmental data into structured, compliant datasets.

Pilot Implementation

Deployment of monitoring systems across real environments, including urban forests and research sites.

Monitoring & Validation

Continuous data collection, validation, and anomaly detection using automated workflows and AI tools.

Dissemination & Replication

Sharing results with stakeholders, policymakers, and industry actors to enable large-scale adoption.

Impact & Results

COFAM is expected to generate transformative impact in both carbon markets and regulatory compliance systems.

Key Outcomes:

Enhanced Data Integrity: Blockchain-backed verification ensures tamper-proof and traceable carbon data
Reduced Certification Costs: Automation significantly lowers MRV costs and accelerates verification timelines
Improved Market Trust: High-quality, verifiable data increases confidence among regulators, investors, and buyers
Scalable SaaS Platform: Cloud-native architecture enables deployment across multiple regions and sectors
Support for Policy Objectives: Contributes to EU climate goals, including CRCF implementation and LULUCF targets
Broader Accessibility: Enables participation of smallholders and SMEs in carbon markets through cost-efficient tools

Project Information :

Project Name: COFAM

Category: Operation Innovation Project | Climate Tech | RegTech | Carbon Markets | Digital MRV

Timeline: 2024 – 2026

Project Website:

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EDIH NEST

admin — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 10:10:29 +0000

Project Overview

EDIH NEST (Network for European Security and Trust) is a European Digital Innovation Hub funded under the Digital Europe Programme (EDIH) and implemented within the framework of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 4, Component 2 Investment 2.3.

The project is implemented by a consortium of five organizations led by Cyber 4.0, with the objective of supporting companies in their digital and cybersecurity transformation journey through advanced innovation services, testing infrastructures, advisory activities, and access to funding opportunities.

NEST supports enterprises of all sizes particularly SMEs by providing specialized services aimed at strengthening technological resilience, cybersecurity capabilities, and innovation capacity across strategic industrial sectors.

Our Role & Contribution

As a consortium member, INNOVA delivers specialized digital innovation services focused on technology transfer, cybersecurity innovation, and business growth support for SMEs and innovative enterprises.

Our contribution includes:

Technology maturity assessment and innovation readiness evaluation
Development, testing, and validation of innovative digital solutions
Support for access to regional, national, and European funding opportunities
Advisory on intellectual property valorisation and patent strategies
Internationalization support and innovation scaling activities
Strategic consulting for digital transformation and cybersecurity adoption

Through its multidisciplinary expertise, INNOVA helps companies accelerate innovation while improving competitiveness and technological resilience.

The Challenge

European SMEs are increasingly exposed to cybersecurity risks and digital transformation challenges, while often lacking the resources, expertise, and infrastructure necessary to adopt advanced digital technologies securely.

Key barriers include:

Limited cybersecurity readiness and compliance capabilities
Difficulties accessing testing and prototyping infrastructures
Low awareness of emerging digital technologies
Limited access to innovation financing and technology transfer services

EDIH NEST addresses these challenges by creating an integrated innovation ecosystem capable of supporting companies throughout their digital transformation process.

Consultation Process

Digital & Cybersecurity Assessment

Evaluating organizational and technical maturity levels

Technology Testing & Validation

Supporting prototyping, testing, and demonstration activities

Innovation Advisory Services

Providing strategic consulting for digital transformation and cybersecurity adoption

Training & Capacity Building

Delivering tailored education, awareness, and specialized training programmes

Intellectual Property & Innovation Support

Supporting patent valorisation and innovation management strategies

Funding & Internationalization Assistance

Facilitating access to public funding, investors, and international innovation networks

Impact & Results

EDIH NEST strengthens the cybersecurity and innovation capacity of European enterprises by:

accelerating digital transformation processes,
improving cybersecurity preparedness and resilience,
supporting the adoption of emerging technologies,
facilitating innovation funding and technology transfer opportunities,
enabling SMEs to become more competitive in international markets.

The initiative contributes to building a more secure, innovative, and digitally resilient European industrial ecosystem.

Project Information :

Project Name: EDIH NEST: Network for European Security and Trust

Category: European Digital Innovation Hub | Cybersecurity | Digital Innovation & Technology Transfer

Timeline: 10 March, 2023 - 30 Apr, 2026

Project Website: https://nest.cyber40.it/

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