Third edition of ORA! launches

It’s now the third year of ORA! - Outpost Ravenna for Energy Transition, the innovation platform promoted by Joule in collaboration with Mind the Bridge and with the support of the Municipality of Ravenna and local businesses. On 27 February, Palazzo Rasponi dalle Teste in Ravenna hosted the launch event, in the presence of the local authorities and all stakeholders.

The initiative seeks to establish Ravenna as an international hub for the energy transition, concentrating on Blue and Green Economy technologies and building an open innovation ecosystem, in which international startups and scaleups can forge tangible partnerships with local businesses.

Among the various firms that took part in earlier rounds of the programme and saw real gains in innovation, Minerali Industriali e Natura Nuova have decided to become ORA! Supporters, actively giving back and contributing to the development of Ravenna’s innovation network.

“Through ORA!, we aim to bring tangible and accessible innovation to businesses by fostering connections between local companies and startups,” said Antonietta De Sanctis, Head of the Startup Acceleration Program at Joule. “Working closely with the local area and with the backing of partners like Mind the Bridge, and the dedication of firms such as Minerali Industriali and Natura Nuova, Ravenna is fast becoming a strong and established hub for the energy and business transition, using an Open Innovation approach that others could easily adopt.”

The ORA! project is based on three main and complementary drivers:

• TRANSITION: Open Innovation

The Open Innovation Outpost in Ravenna is not an accelerator or incubator. Instead, it helps local businesses with the energy and strategic transition by partnering and working with international startups and scaleups.

• ATTRACTIVENESS: International Startups

By actively scouting globally in key sectors and providing tangible value through proof-of-concept projects with companies, the Outpost can appeal to international startups and scaleups.

• TRAINING: Building expertise

The project aims to build expertise and spread open innovation methods by offering training for businesses (Open Innovation Bootcamp and Open Innovation Club) and students (Open Innovation Academy and Venture Client Lab).

“ORA! represents a unique opportunity to bring Open Innovation directly into industrial companies, creating value and enabling growth and diversification strategies,” added Alberto Onetti, Chairman of Mind the Bridge. “Previous editions’ results show that Ravenna’s business community can draw in innovative startups and foster lasting partnerships that drive innovation and growth. It is about continuing on and, if possible, speeding up, since innovation and sustainability are urgent and essential for competitiveness.”

Launched by Joule in 2022 together with local institutions and with the support of Mind the Bridge, ORA! - Outpost Ravenna for Energy Transition has seen significant growth. In 2023, there were 12 participating companies and 30 one-on-one meetings with startups, while 2024 saw 65 startups – selected from over 200 candidates from 20 countries – and 30 one-on-one meetings, currently resulting in five collaboration opportunities.

Following the kick-off on 27 February, all activities for the participating companies will begin. These include the International Scouting Sprint and the networking and training sessions linked to the Open Innovation Club, all commencing with a dedicated event in Ravenna.

The training courses are designed for students and young professionals to develop the next generation of Junior Innovation Managers in the Green and Blue Economy sectors.

The Open Innovation Academy offers an annual course for recent graduates that focuses on “learning by doing”. The eight-week programme combines in-person sessions in Ravenna and Rome with online training.

The Venture Client Lab combines direct lessons and hands-on experiences to help companies to scout, match and launch pilot projects with innovative startups.

Thanks to support from FEEM, this new edition also launches the ORA! program for six high school students in Ravenna, who will be able to explore important topics, shadow peers further along in their studies, and find guidance and opportunities for their future careers.