Co-Innovation Award for six projects developed by Basilicata startups and businesses

The second edition of Basilicata Open LAB ended with the presentation of the Co-Innovation Awards to the six winning projects, developed by startups from across Italy and companies from Basilicata. 

A total of 40 businesses from Basilicata and 135 national startups responded to the “Call for innovation”. The journey leading to the selection of the winners involved alternating periods of training and dialogue with participants and businesses from Basilicata willing to adopt innovative models in their production processes, as well as in-depth workshops on the four thematic areas identified as strategic for the region’s economic growth. For this edition, these areas were: agritech, sustainable mobility, bioenergy, and local development.

Basilicata Open LAB is the programme supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in the Basilicata region, implemented by Eni with the backing of Shell Italia E&P, through Joule, Eni’s school for enterprise. 

The prizes on offer, in addition to a training and mentoring programme that will continue over the coming months, were awarded to:

• SIEve and La Marchesa - This project’s aim is to reuse of wastewater for irrigation, countering the drought damage that in 2024 led to losses of €625,000 for the company. The project enables La Marchesa to avoid up to €130,000 in future damages per year, grants SIEve access to an emerging market, and allows the region to develop a scalable case study to reclaim over 430 million cubic metres of water annually.

• Sipow and Sogemont WEEE - This project aims to validate a circular supply chain for the recovery of silicon from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) photovoltaics. The process involves disassembly, mechanical crushing, and chemical-physical analysis of the powders using XRF and ICP spectrometry techniques aimed at quantifying and purifying silicon. The introduction of traceable containers also allows for logistical optimisation and reduced contamination. The pilot test assesses yield, purity, environmental impact, and scalability at a national level.

• Beadroots and Con.Pro.Bio Lucano - This project offers an innovative agricultural solution centred on the use of beneficial microorganisms. It is a 100% natural product, designed for easy implementation and capable of delivering tangible benefits to the environment and agricultural productivity. The main goals are soil regeneration, water footprint reduction, and increased crop yield, providing a sustainable, effective, and replicable agricultural model.

• Pasitea and Agostino Arcasensa - This project focuses on using innovative additives for concrete, aiming to enhance locally quarried materials from Basilicata by improving their technical performance and reducing the environmental impact of the construction sector.

• ToMove and Matheca - This project creates a “digital twin” of the municipality of Aliano with bespoke 3D surveys for the deployment of remotely operated electric vehicles. Integrated data in ToMove systems enable fleet optimisation, safety, and predictive management of urban spaces. The pilot technically and commercially validates the solution and serves as a strategic entry point for Matheca (a geospatial survey company) in the smart mobility sector.

• Adaptronics and Torre Albineta - This project tests an electro-adhesive gripper for the automatic picking of raspberries. The lightweight, fully electric device is being tested in a greenhouse to validate its ability to handle “delicate” fruit without causing damage. The project aims to demonstrate the agritech applicability of the technology and develop a case study for future robotic applications in agriculture.

To implement the initiative, Joule relies on the support of PoliHub and Consorzio Elis, two proven technical partners for Basilicata Open Lab, which is part of the Development Projects promoted by the co-holders of the Val d’Agri Concession under the New Protocol of Intent between the Basilicata Region and Eni.

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