NODES in Il Sole 24 Ore. The Northwest capable of innovating for the country’s future
On December 15, Il Sole 24 Ore, in its Scenari supplement, dedicated an entire page to the NODES Innovation Ecosystem – North-West Digital and Sustainable – highlighting its strategic role within the PNRR and the impact generated in the region thanks to a total investment of over €112 million. The article emphasizes NODES’ ability to build a broad and integrated network involving universities, research centers, innovation hubs, incubators, and companies, fostering collaboration between academia and the productive system to accelerate the dual digital and ecological transition.
It is a shared platform for applied research, technology transfer, and sustainable development, capable of attracting skills, talent, and investments. The article also highlights the activities of individual Spokes, high-impact research projects, Proofs of Concept, and initiatives for engagement and knowledge sharing, such as events, workshops, and roadshows, which have strengthened dialogue between research, businesses, and local communities. As Director General Chiara Ferroni points out: “Over the past three years, NODES has strengthened the competitiveness of businesses and research, integrating scientific excellence with a dynamic entrepreneurial fabric. Innovation is a continuous, collaborative process, based on sharing and sustainability, which will continue to grow beyond the PNRR.”
A special focus is dedicated to the Booster method, the operational model through which NODES guides research, skills, and companies toward the market. Through integrated action lines ranging from support for applied research to advanced training, from the acceleration of start-ups and spin-offs to the engagement of local stakeholders, Boosters transform ideas and scientific results into entrepreneurial and sustainable development opportunities, reinforcing an open, collaborative, and impact-driven ecosystem.
With over 1,100 people involved, more than 310 companies funded through cascading calls, 61 academic PoCs, over 200 training paths designed, and hundreds of local events, NODES – North-West Digital and Sustainable – confirms itself as a virtuous model of cooperation. An ecosystem that continues to grow, turning research and innovation into tangible value and projecting the Northwest – and with it the country – toward a more innovative, sustainable, and competitive future.