CrossConnect, the new Catania-based infratech accelerator from CDP Venture Capital, is ready to go. The seven startups selected over recent months are primed to start a four-month journey from February to June 2025.

Joule, as a partner of the initiative, participated in the kickoff event, which took place on 18 February. It marked an important moment to present the programme’s services and the office spaces made available to the startups.

Mattia Voltaggio, Head of Joule, said: “Participating in CrossConnect is a valuable opportunity for Eni to develop technological solutions in the circular economy, biofuels, and renewable and low-carbon energies, and to accelerate possible synergies with the Versalis sites in Sicily, starting from the Ragusa site, where a transformation plan has now been drawn up.”

The programme, spanning a total of three years, is backed by an investment exceeding 6 million, of which 5 million euros is provided by the CDP Accelerator Fund, while the remaining funds are contributed by Plug and Play Tech Center and Elis, which will also oversee the operational management. In addition to Joule, Saipem, a global leader in engineering and construction for large-scale projects in the energy sector and both offshore and onshore infrastructures, has welcomed Buzzi and Sonatrach Raffineria Italiana as partners in their initiative. The selected startups immediately received a grant of 150,000 euros, plus there will be up to 500,000 euros as a follow-on investment for the most promising ones.

During the programme, workshops will be organised on product development and Proof of Concept (PoC), protection of intellectual property and impact assessment. The participating startups will also have the opportunity to connect with the Plug and Play and ELIS network, to meet international and domestic venture capital investors, business angels, successful entrepreneurs and experts in the sector.

Finally, the partners will periodically meet with the startups to develop a Proof of Concept and create a relationship to strategically support the objectives and validate the product.