Entrepreneurship and Primary Agro-Industry: the launch of the NODES Academy of Spoke 6

On 10 October, the first edition of the NODES Academy - Primary Agro-Industry, organised by ComoNEXT, commenced with an initial session held at the Museum of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pavia. The event was attended by NODES researchers interested in developing entrepreneurial skills, with projects and ideas related to the themes of primary agro-industry.

During the first day, the training programme was initiated, including the definition of objectives and the presentation of participants and teams. Additionally, the first lesson on Business Model Canvas (BMC) and Value Proposition Canvas was held, featuring practical exercises. This approach provided participants with the necessary tools to develop innovative business strategies applicable to their research projects and ideas related to the agro-industry sector.

Among the teams of industrial Proof of Concepts (POCs) participating in the NODES Academy under Spoke 6 are projects such as DigiNut, DigiMilk, Demetra, BioRestart, and Sapevo, focused on innovative solutions for sustainability and the digitalisation of agro-industry. Also participating is the team from the WakeUp POC (Spoke 2) and a NODES PhD student working on the flagship project VINO, contributing innovative skills and ideas for the sustainable management of natural resources and the improvement of agro-food supply chains.

The NODES Academy represents an important opportunity to provide researchers with the necessary tools to develop innovative business strategies applicable to their projects related to the primary agro-industry sector.