On January 29, 2025, the RAISE up Pitch Day took place at the Auditorium Hall of the Genoa Aquarium, marking the final event of the first edition of the RAISE up Mentorship Program.
This initiative, promoted under Spoke 5 of the RAISE project with the support of PwC Italy and I3P – the Incubator of the Polytechnic University of Turin, served as a significant opportunity for dialogue among businesses, investors, and stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.
The event opened with a speech by Andrea Pagnin, leader of Spoke 5, who emphasized the importance of dialogue between the research and business sectors, highlighting the strategic role of mentorship programs like RAISE up in fostering connections and growth opportunities.
Cristina Battaglia, RAISE Programme Manager, followed by reaffirming the value of technology transfer as a key driver for innovation and economic development.
Institutional greetings were delivered by Alessio Piana, Delegate Councilor for Economic Development of the Liguria Region, and Laura Gaggero, Delegate Councilor for Innovation and Cybersecurity of the Municipality of Genoa, both expressing their support for initiatives aimed at strengthening the local innovation ecosystem.
One of the most anticipated moments of the day was the keynote speech by Guest Speaker Luca Rossettini, introduced by Andrea Manchelli, Partner at PwC.
In his address, the Founder and CEO of D-Orbit, a leading company in space logistics and sustainability, shared his entrepreneurial experience, focusing on the challenges and opportunities related to scaling technological solutions. He also underscored the crucial role of sustainability as a driver of innovation, emphasizing the importance of transforming unexpected events, mistakes, and even failures into strategic opportunities—an essential element for a successful entrepreneurial journey.
Following this, Miriam Molinari, Project Manager of Spoke 5, along with Luca Passoni, Director at PwC, presented the RAISE up Mentorship Program, outlining its objectives and achievements. They also introduced the panel of experts tasked with evaluating the pitches of the participating teams, officially marking the start of the project presentations.
The panel consisted of:
– Francesco Rossi, Fondo Tech Transfer CDP VC
– Stefano Peronicini, Eureka! Venture SGR
– Matteo Bonfanti, Kairos Partners SGR
– Emilia Garito, Deep Ocean Capital SGR SPA
– Elga Corricelli, LifeGate Way
The second part of the event was entirely dedicated to the presentation of twelve innovative solutions, preceded by an introduction from the RAISE spoke leaders: Michela Spagnuolo (CNR, Spoke 1 – Inclusive Technologies for Urban Experience Transformation), Lorenzo De Michieli (IIT, Spoke 2 – Smart Solutions for the Healthcare Sector), Marco Faimali (CNR, Spoke 3 – Eco-Robotics for Environmental Protection), and Giovanni Satta (UniGe, Spoke 4, representing Davide Giglio – Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for the Maritime and Port Sector).
The following solutions were presented:
LUCA: An EduTech platform based on Artificial Intelligence for the accessibility of educational content in Italian Sign Language (LIS). Through an AI avatar, it offers lessons and exercises accessible to deaf students, bridging the gap in educational materials and reducing reliance on interpreters.
SMART GATE VISION: An automated infrastructure for managing access in port and logistics areas. Utilizing AI-powered video technology, the system identifies IMO plates in real time and detects container damage, enhancing accuracy, security, and operational efficiency. Integration with Aitek’s SESAMO platform is planned.
EVA NAVI: An advanced surgical navigation system that provides dynamic visualization of patient images, overcoming the limitations of traditional sight. It supports surgeons in intraoperative decision-making, reducing stress, errors, and costs of complex procedures.
RESCAPING ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH 3D-PRINTED REEFS FROM RECYCLED MOLLUSK SHELLS: A project aimed at restoring marine ecosystems through 3D-printed artificial reefs made from waste materials from mollusk farming. This innovative solution improves marine biodiversity, water quality, and the ocean’s ability to absorb CO₂.
AUTONOMOUS MOBILE ROBOT FOR SURVEILLANCE, MONITORING, AND OPERATIONS: An autonomous driving system for mobile robots used in industrial and agricultural surveillance and monitoring. The robotic fleet operates 24/7, identifying anomalies and threats with high precision and reliability, reducing risks for human personnel.
MYCOTECH WINE: An aerobiological soil monitoring system for protecting and optimizing wine production. By using natural microorganisms, it helps prevent vine diseases, counteracting the negative effects of climate change and improving vineyard yields.
AETHER: An advanced air and pollutant environmental monitoring platform. Through a combination of fixed stations and drone fleets, it provides accurate and safe analysis in industrial and agricultural areas, optimizing detection efficiency.
PIEZO-AI: An advanced prosthesis with highly sensitive tactile sensors. Using piezoelectric technology, it offers a more natural tactile experience, improving acceptance and use among amputees.
HTS+: An innovative device based on a sensorized glove for automatic and non-invasive assessment of cognitive and motor frailty. Using Artificial Intelligence, it analyzes fine hand movements, providing a more precise and standardized diagnosis than traditional methods.
ULTRAUP: Advanced software for real-time super-resolution of 2D/3D ultrasound images and videos. It enhances visual quality and acquisition frequency while preserving anatomical features, optimizing diagnostic support for healthcare professionals.
VERA: A deep learning model for detecting, diagnosing, and automatically segmenting aero-digestive tract tumor lesions. The system supports otolaryngologists in endoscopic procedures, selecting key frames and characterizing lesions in real time.
URBAN3D: An urban Digital Twin system that generates 3D city models for identifying architectural barriers and optimizing accessibility. This innovative technology simplifies urban data analysis and management, improving the quality of life for vulnerable groups.
At the conclusion of the event, closing remarks were followed by a networking aperitif at the Shark Hall of the Genoa Aquarium. This informal moment allowed participants to explore collaboration opportunities, facilitating dialogue among businesses, investors, and companies interested in adopting new technologies.
The success of this first edition of the RAISE up Pitch Day confirmed the relevance of initiatives that promote technology transfer and the growth of the innovation ecosystem. The RAISE up program has proven to be an effective catalyst for bridging research and the market, creating tangible opportunities for the future of innovation in Italy.
The next edition is set to begin in March 2025, featuring new teams of innovators selected within the RAISE ecosystem.