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The Region of Piedmont has allocated 5 million euros to the MATCHIN Call, a measure aimed at carrying out projects to strengthen the innovation capacity of SMEs by integrating highly qualified individuals from the public research sector into companies. The goal is to promote a structured and systemic connection between the public research sector and the industrial fabric, creating an environment that is favorable to both business innovation and the integration and professional growth of young talents and researchers, enhancing their advanced training and specialized skills. The incentive, approved with Director's Determination No. 635 of December 16, 2025, consists of two intervention lines:   Hiring highly qualified individuals from the research world, with a non-repayable contribution and a support intensity ranging from 60% to 70%, depending on the size of the company;   Temporary provision of researchers, through an agreement between SMEs and Universities or Public Research Institutions, with a non-repayable contribution equal to 50% of the costs incurred, as indicated in the agreement. Applications can be submitted starting from March 2, 2026, at 9:00 AM. Information Sheet | Consult the Call    

Segnaliamo che gli uffici HUB NODES resteranno chiusi  dal 24 Dicembre al 6 Gennaio 2026 per le vacanze natalizie.  L'Ecosistema augura a tutti Buone Feste e un felice anno nuovo!

In Turin, at the Feat. House venue, the Final Day of the Venture Booster Program took place—an event that marked the conclusion of the acceleration pathway promoted within NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile, with the support of LifeGate Way.   It was a day dedicated to discussion and knowledge sharing, designed to support startups and entrepreneurial projects engaged in the digital and ecological transition. After a brief introductory session presenting the program and the results achieved, the startups Altered Materials, NAPTER, and New Oil Factory shared their journeys and presented the projects developed during the acceleration phase.   The audience included investors, companies, mentors, program partners, and other startups from the ecosystem—a mix that encouraged dialogue, the exchange of ideas, and new connections. The day concluded with an informal networking session accompanied by an aperitif.   The atmosphere was very positive, with strong and tangible interest in the projects presented, leading to numerous exchanges and the first connections being established. A further step in building a community capable of connecting startups, companies, and investors around the themes of sustainable innovation and digital transformation.  

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.   Read the article on the newspaper’s website

The Piedmont Region has approved “MATCHIN,” a measure that allocates €5 million from the 2021–2027 ERDF Programme to encourage the integration of highly qualified researchers into small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Piedmont. The goal is clear: to strengthen the region’s research, development, and innovation capacity by building a stable bridge between the world of public research and private enterprise. The call for proposals, which will be published by the end of 2025, includes two lines of intervention: Grants for the direct hiring of researchers by SMEs with an operational or production site in Piedmont. Support for the temporary collaboration of personnel from universities and research organizations.   Through this dual approach, MATCHIN aims to foster the circulation of skills and knowledge between universities and businesses, while supporting new opportunities for professional growth for researchers and applied innovation processes for companies.

From October 2 to 4, 2025, NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile brought the voice and vision of the Ecosystem to Expo 2025 Osaka, within the Italy Pavilion of the Ministry of University and Research.   Three intense days on an international stage of innovation, featuring aerospace research, sustainable mobility, and new opportunities for global cooperation. At the center stood the dialogue between research, business, and institutions, with Piedmont and the North-West of Italy leading a shared vision of a sustainable future.   The opening day on October 2, titled “Volare”, gathered some of the most prominent institutional and academic figures: Ambassador Mario Vattani, Commissioner General for Italy at Expo; Stefano Corgnati, Rector of Politecnico di Torino; Alberto Cirio, President of the Piedmont Region; Stefano Lo Russo, Mayor of Turin; and Gianmarco Montanari, Director General of MOST – National Centre for Sustainable Mobility.   Alongside them, the speech by Chiara Ferroni, Director General of NODES, gave substance to the role of the Ecosystem as an open and inclusive model of innovation, highlighting how innovation acts as a driver of territorial development, a concrete instrument for implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), and a model capable of inspiring international collaborations.   “Research that becomes innovation, innovation that becomes impact” – with these words, Ferroni summarized the mission of NODES: an ecosystem that unites universities, enterprises, and the entire territory to face the great challenges of our time.

From October 2 to 4 2025, NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale E Sostenibile will take center stage at Expo Osaka 2025, inside the Italy Pavilion hosted by the Ministry of Universities and Research, together with the Politecnico di Torino and MOST – National Center for Sustainable Mobility.    The University, coordinator of the Ecosystem, will showcase the AIRONE project – Aircraft and drones for sustainable civil mobility, a multimedia journey dedicated to the new frontiers of aerospace research and the mobility of the future. Topics presented will include: drones entering everyday mobility, next-generation low-emission aircraft, technologies for supersonic and space flight, as well as satellites and innovative applications improving life on Earth.   On the opening day, October 2, NODES will participate with a keynote by General Manager Chiara Ferroni, who will share the Ecosystem’s vision of innovation as a driver for regional development and the opportunities created by the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). Her speech will be part of an institutional talk also featuring Mario Vattani (Commissioner General, Italy Expo 2025 Osaka), Stefano Corgnati (Rector, Politecnico di Torino), Alberto Cirio (President, Piedmont Region), Stefano Lo Russo (Mayor of Turin), and Gianmarco Montanari (General Director, MOST).   Participation in Expo Osaka represents a unique opportunity for NODES to enhance its role as a national research and innovation ecosystem and to strengthen international relations with Japan and other global stakeholders. With the contribution of its seven thematic Spokes, NODES promotes an interdisciplinary innovation model that brings together universities, enterprises, and territories.. Its presence at the Expo reaffirms the Ecosystem’s commitment to giving international visibility to the excellence of Northwest Italy and to their impact on the future of mobility, sustainability, and digitalization.  

In Turin, an intense weekend of research took shape with UNIGHT – The European Researchers’ Night, which turned the city into a vast open-air laboratory. Over 350 activities animated the Castello del Valentino, the Botanical Garden and many other city spaces with exhibitions, experiments, performances and talks designed to bring everyone – from children to adults – closer to the world of research.   Promoted by the Politecnico di Torino and the University of Turin, with the support of the Municipality and the Region, the initiative highlighted not only scientific achievements but also the everyday work of attempts, obstacles and errors. It was an invitation to see science as a living and imperfect process that grows precisely through its challenges. Within this rich programme, NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile presented activities that combined innovation, sustainability and participation, through exhibitions, labs and institutional stands.  

September 26–27, 2025 – The European Researchers’ Night returns, an event promoted by the European Commission that brings science to squares, universities, and cities across Europe. This year again, NODES – North-West Digital and Sustainable will be a key player, with researchers from its 7 Spokes present in Turin, Pavia, Como, Busto Arsizio, and Aosta, offering many free and public initiatives.   In Turin – UNIGHT 2025: exhibitions and workshops at Valentino Castle and the Botanical Garden, covering digital communication, health, energy, and smart cities, plus a treasure hunt you won’t want to miss!   In Pavia – SHARPER 2025: experiments, games, and scientific stands dedicated to sustainability, agri-food, biotechnology, and circular economy.   In Como and Busto Arsizio – UNINSUBRIA: NODES projects and PoCs on augmented reality, immersive technologies, and circular economy.   In Aosta – UniVdA: workshops for children and families, lectures, scientific tastings, and sky observations with the Astronomical Observatory. A unique opportunity to get to know the research that is changing our daily lives and to imagine future solutions together. Discover the full program and come visit us!

The Venture Booster Program officially kicked off on October 13, 2025. Promoted by NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale E Sostenibile in collaboration with LifeGate Way, the initiative supports startups and entrepreneurial teams committed to the dual digital and ecological transition. Following the public call that closed on October 6, three innovative projects were selected to take part in an intensive, tailor-made acceleration journey running until December 15, 2025:   Altered Materials Biodegradable bio-encapsulation for precision and sustainable agriculture. Agritech, sustainable innovation and scalable technologies using hydrogels and biopolymers to improve fertilizer efficiency and reduce environmental impact.   NAPTER Hybrid nanocarriers for RNA therapies in cardiology, with clinical applications and potential impact on cardiovascular disease treatment. Healthtech, medtech and deep science converge in this frontier project developing targeted RNA delivery systems for post-infarction therapies. New Oil Factory Self-structured oleogels for healthier and more sustainable food formulations, additive-free and low-impact. Foodtech, nutritional innovation and sustainable ingredients designed to replace animal and tropical fats in food products, delivering health and environmental benefits.   A tailor-made journey Each startup is supported by a dedicated tutor and follows a custom acceleration path that includes: Business model development and validation Fundraising and pitch preparation Legal, IP and patent protection Strategic positioning and sustainability The first training session took place on October 15, with a workshop titled “Human Sustainability & Company Culture”, led by Elga Corricelli and Helga Ogliari – a moment of cross-cutting reflection on the human values that guide the growth of sustainable startups.   The initiative is part of the strategic actions of the NODES Ecosystem, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the PNRR – Next Generation EU, with the goal of promoting the emergence and development of innovative, sustainable and interconnected business models. Through the Venture Booster Program, NODES aims to concretely support the growth of high-impact entrepreneurial projects, enhancing the role of the ecosystem as a platform connecting research, business and territories. Learn more Program overview | Launch news      

The Venture Booster Program kicks off, an initiative by NODES – Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile in collaboration with LifeGate Way, designed to support startups and entrepreneurial teams engaged in the dual digital and ecological transition. The program will select 3 high-potential projects, offering an intensive and tailored path that combines assessments, mentorship, targeted training, and strategic networking with businesses, investors, and stakeholders. The goal is to strengthen the growth potential of emerging companies, facilitate access to new market and investment opportunities, and promote innovative and sustainable business models.   The Venture Booster Program is aimed at both teams with entrepreneurial ideas in development and startups established for less than 6 months, operating in one of NODES' strategic sectors: from aerospace and mobility to green tech and sustainable industry, from culture and tourism to mountain-related projects, from health to agroindustry.   The selected companies will benefit from personalized mentorship and consultancy, with support in business plan development, marketing strategy definition, and financial management. Additionally, they will gain access to strategic networking, with direct connections to businesses, investors, and key professionals, participation in exclusive events, and entry into a global network of contacts and partners.   “With the Venture Booster Program, we aim to provide emerging startups and teams – both within and outside the NODES ecosystem – with a tangible growth opportunity, offering tools, expertise, and connections. It is a concrete example of NODES' mission: to transform research and innovation into value for people and territories” – said Chiara L. G. Ferroni, CEO of NODES.   The Venture Booster Program is thus part of the NODES Ecosystem, funded by the MUR within the framework of the PNRR NextGenEU, as one of the tools dedicated to identifying and strengthening local startups and entrepreneurial teams, offering them a tailored path, access to specialized expertise, and concrete growth opportunities.   Timeline     •    October 6, 2025 – Application deadline     •    October 10, 2025 – Winners announcement     •    October 13, 2025 – Start of the acceleration program     •    December 18, 2025 – Final event and program closure   For more information and to apply, please visit the program page    

Please note that the HUB NODES offices will be closed for the summer break from Monday, August 11 to Friday, August 22, 2025, Activities will resume regularly starting from Monday, August 25.   The summer break is a valuable opportunity to recharge and restart with renewed momentum: the coming months will be intense, filled with milestones to consolidate, challenges to face, and new opportunities to seize, together. Wishing everyone a wonderful summer! The HUB NODES Team

HUB NODES S.c.a.r.l. has launched a procedure, through a preliminary market consultation, for the identification of an Economic Operator to potentially entrust with the VENTURE BOOSTER PROGRAM service of NODES.   To participate in the consultation, Economic Operators must submit their financial offer and technical proposal, both digitally signed, no later than August 27, 2025, via PEC (Certified Email) to the address nodes@pec.it.  Applicants must also meet the general and professional suitability requirements indicated in the documentation, demonstrate relevant previous experience, and be registered on the Electronic Marketplace of the Public Administration (MePA).   For all details related to the procedure, please refer to the full Notice.   Go to the page

In Aosta, a day of creative dialogue among key players on results, impacts, and future visions On Friday, 18 July 2025, the NODES – North-West Digital and Sustainable Innovation Ecosystem gathered in Aosta for its sixth General Assembly, hosted at the new University Campus of the Università della Valle d’Aosta (UniVdA). It was an intense, well-attended day that placed shared assessment front and center: taking stock of results achieved, examining the first evidence of impact, and charting the horizon of activities between now and the Program’s conclusion at the end of the year.   The proceedings opened with a video welcome message from Stefano Paolo Corgnati, President of HUB NODES, while Alberto Gaggero, the newly appointed lead of Spoke 4 – Digital & Sustainable Mountain, conveyed greetings on behalf of UniVdA’s Rector, Manuela Ceretta.   With total participation exceeding 110 people, 85 onsite and about 25 online, the day marked an important opportunity for broad-based dialogue across the entire NODES network.

In today’s edition of Il Sole 24 Ore, June 20, the Nord Ovest insert features an in-depth article on the NODES Innovation Ecosystem, highlighting the results achieved thanks to the investment of over €112 million from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).   In the article by Filomena Greco, it is emphasized how these funds have made it possible to activate a broad and synergistic network involving 8 universities, innovation hubs, research centers, incubators, and companies, engaging 617 innovation professionals and creating 491 new jobs.   Also featured in the article are the 61 academic Proofs of Concept (PoCs) presented during the Tech Sharing Days at Politecnico di Torino, which for two days was transformed into a true exchange platform between research and industry.  «Technology transfer is a strategic lever for the future of our territory,» says General Director Chiara Ferroni. «The synergy between universities, institutions, and businesses is essential to generate concrete impact.»   Read the article on the newspaper’s website