Faros, the blue economy accelerator of the CDP Venture Capital National Network , opens the call for its third edition. Faros was created on the initiative of CDP Venture Capital in collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Ionian Sea – Port of Taranto and is managed by a|cube, an accelerator of companies with a social and environmental impact, and by the local manager Wylab, a certified incubator. Of the 195 candidates of the last edition, 8 startups were selected and completed the 4-month program between the two hubs of Taranto and La Spezia. 6 pilot projects were also developed to test the potential of startups within the production activities of the partners involved. Also for this edition, the selected startups will be offered an acceleration path with masterclasses, one-to-one coaching activities, mentoring, networking with national and international stakeholders; In addition, the best solutions will have the opportunity to carry out open innovation activities with corporate partners; Startups will receive an investment in the form of converting starting from 75 thousand euros with potential follow-ons of up to 400 thousand euros for the most deserving projects.
The aim of Faros is to identify the most interesting national and international companies that develop products or services that impact eight focus areas of the maritime economy: ocean data, intelligent systems and innovative technologies for the collection, monitoring and evaluation of data from the sea and oceans; Ocean Energy System, creation of an energy mix based on ocean resources; Sea Health & Restoration, activities of prevention, protection, restoration and monitoring of the environment and the marine ecosystem; smart port & green shipping, digital and automated processes for the optimization of port activities and the decarbonization of maritime transport; sustainable aquaculture; farming and processing of fish, algae and shellfish for the food chain; innovative use of marine resource, for industrial applications and processes; shipbuilding, innovative and sustainable processes in the shipbuilding and coastal tourism supply chain, services for the development of a more sustainable tourism supply chain.
The innovative solutions teams in the sector will be able to submit their applications by June 16, 2024 and the selection process will culminate in July 2024 with the selection day, at which time up to 10 of the best companies will access the acceleration program which will last 4 months (November 2024 – February 2025) and will end with the demo day, expected in March 2025.
The activities of the Taranto hub are carried out thanks to the collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Ionian Sea – Port of Taranto, an institutional partner oriented to the global promotion of the Ionian port, as well as to the relaunch of the Taranto’s industrial-logistics and tourism system. The support of the main partners: Intesa Sanpaolo and Fincantieri; the institutional partnerships of the Municipality of Taranto, the Chamber of Commerce of Taranto and the University of Bari Aldo Moro. The activities of the La Spezia hub are carried out in collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Eastern Ligurian Sea – Ports of La Spezia and Marina di Carrara, an institutional and territorial partner aimed at promoting the industrial ecosystem and the integration of the ports of La Spezia and Marina di Carrara. The co-investors: Crédit Agricole Italia and Duferco, the main partner: Fincantieri. The institutional partnership of the Municipality of La Spezia, Fondazione Carispezia and PromoStudi La Spezia. For both the Taranto and La Spezia Hubs, Faros also avails itself of the support of corporate partners: Eni through Joule, its business school, BCC San Marzano, and RINA, which with their participation provide distinctive expertise in the sector, contribute to the growth of widespread networking and guarantee the possibility of launching pilot projects with the various business lines.
The startups of the second edition of Faros
BRT Simulators manufactures customizable, modular simulation devices to improve worker safety and reduce waste in complex environments such as those of traditional industries. The startup has developed two testing projects of 3D simulators as a training tool: the first, in collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Ionian Sea – Port of Taranto, focused on cargo handling activities and the second, in collaboration with Acciaierie d’Italia, intended to be used in staff training processes.
Celesta has introduced an advanced IoT device for optimized asset management that can track the location and health of containers and actively monitor work and natural environments.
Dock Power designs piers that are unique in the world and, by exploiting the physical principle of “diffraction”, allow the movement of the waves to pass through the structure, generating electricity and reducing the environmental impact of port energy infrastructure. Together with Eni Joule, the startup has developed a feasibility study, at the ENI site in Taranto, for the construction of a mooring buoy integrated with a wave energy production system.
Limenet has designed, patented and engineered an innovative technology for the conversion of carbon dioxide into an aqueous solution of calcium bicarbonates, ensuring a long-lasting and stable storage of CO2 at sea. In collaboration with Duferco, the startup has carried out a feasibility study on the storage of 100 thousand tons of carbon dioxide in an industrial environment.
SEADS (SEA Defence Solutions), with its Blue Barriers, is able to collect 100% of river plastic before it reaches the oceans, transforming this waste into useful resources for local communities.
SEAform develops self-sufficient and sustainable floating platforms that, through innovative proprietary technologies, allow life on the water through a modular system integrated with the marine ecosystem. The startup conducted a feasibility study in collaboration with the Port System Authority of the Ionian Sea to evaluate the introduction of a floating platform system in the port of Taranto.
Wast3d Shells (W3DS) extracts CaCO3 from currently non-recyclable waste such as mussel shells, producing high-quality extrudable materials for 3D printers.
Wearable Robotics deals with the design, production and marketing of advanced wearable robotic devices, integrated with virtual reality systems in the industrial and medical fields. It has started a collaboration with Fincantieri aimed at designing the customized design of exoskeletons for specific needs and applications.
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