“ReAction”: the new business acceleration programme by NODES

NODES is an innovation ecosystem financed by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan - Ministerial Decree No. 1054 dated June 23, 2022. It involves territories in Piemonte Region, Valle d'Aosta and three provinces of the Lombardia region (Como, Pavia and Varese).

The project involves an investment of €112 million to promote a digital and sustainable North West, with €15 million allocated to similar initiatives in Southern Italy.

The ecosystem comprises local innovation players, expression of the territory's production and research excellence (universities, innovation poles, incubators, accelerators, and research centres). The programme aims to increase the competitiveness of industries and research institutions by creating a territorial system that is attractive to qualified talent and private investment, in line with the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) directives.

The main objective is to support and create, over three years, scientific and industrial research chains, simultaneously enhancing existing ideas, skills and realities and creating new ones by stimulating technology transfer and the development of start-ups, spin-offs and SMEs.

In order to achieve these objectives, NODES is pursuing a shared methodology called Booster. This methodology is divided into 5 different sections which complement each other:

• Ecosystem engagement and development booster; focused on ecosystem engagement and empowerment through collaboration and cooperation.
   
• Research booster; dedicated to research to stimulate interaction between universities, research centres, associations, industry and policymakers.
   
• Competence booster; dedicated to the enhancement of human capital and industrial skills.
   
• Innovation booster; dedicated to the advancement of technology and research.
   
• Acceleration booster; dedicated to the growth of start-ups and spin-offs of emerging technologies.

NODES is divided into 7 ‘Spokes’, each of which is characterised by a specific focus:
 

• Spoke 1: Industry 4.0 for mobility and aerospace.

• Spoke 2: Industrial sustainability and green

• Spoke 3: Tourism industry and culture.

• Spoke 4: Digital and Sustainable Mountain

• Spoke 5: Health industry and silver economy

• Spoke 6: Primary agro-industry

• Spoke 7: Secondary agro-industry

As part of SPOKE 2, ‘Industrial Sustainability and Green’, ReAction - the NODES business acceleration programme - managed by Officine Grandi Riparazioni - OGR Turin (https://ogrtorino.it/en/ogr/project) in collaboration with Feat.Ventures (https://www.featventures.com/), is set up with the ambition of ‘fostering the sustainable and inclusive growth of territories through ecological and digital transition’.

The acceleration programme, which is set up for 7 months, was created with the aim of helping innovative start-ups in the green sector to consolidate in the market, reach new goals and develop an innovative and sustainable industrial model.

The program begins with a call for startups. Interested companies can submit an application, and if they align with the program's objectives, they will be selected as participants; 12 companies were officially selected to join the ‘ReAction’ programme. These realities will go down a growth path, structured in two phases: during the first 4 months of the path, the programme will focus on workshops, mentorship and direct support for business development. The first phase will end with a ‘Demo Day’, a day during which the participating companies will have the opportunity to present themselves to a group of international investors.

The second phase will last 3 months and will focus on networking and matchmaking, to foster the connection between participating companies and professionals, stakeholders and investors, thus providing an opportunity to access capital.

In conclusion, NODES stands as a catalyst for sustainable innovation and regional growth, fostering collaboration across industries, research, and start-ups to drive the digital and ecological transition in Italy’s Northwest. Through initiatives like the ReAction program, it empowers emerging green businesses, strengthens the local innovation ecosystem, and sets a benchmark for resilient, forward-looking development.

Note: NODES (Nord-Ovest Digitale E Sostenibile – tr. which is the Italian for “Digital and Sustainable North-Western Italy”)