Research becomes innovation with PoC by Trentino

Technologies for green hydrogen production and biomedical applications, intelligent systems for industry, robotics, precision agriculture, new materials for more sustainable manufacturing, and new therapies for genetic diseases and brain tumors. Every year, research conducted in Trentino generates solutions with significant potential for real-world applications. The crucial moment comes when these technologies leave the laboratory and begin to face the market. At this stage, the involvement of local companies and organizations becomes essential to align research more closely with the needs of industry and create new opportunities for development and collaboration.

This is where PoC by Trentino comes into play. Promoted by Fondazione Bruno Kessler and the University of Trento with the support of the Autonomous Province of Trento and the region’s economic and social ecosystem, the program supports the development of Proofs of Concept. With a total investment of 1.4 million euros for the 2026 edition, it focuses on the phase in which a technology is validated from both a technical and market perspective to facilitate its transition toward real-world applications, new companies, and industrial collaborations. The program’s value extends far beyond funding. The process begins during the selection phase with six weeks of workshops that encourage teams to look at their research from a different perspective—starting with the problem their technology can solve, identifying potential customers and understanding their needs, refining the value proposition through design thinking, and analyzing the market and competitive landscape. Step by step, the process guides researchers from defining the relationship between problem and solution to validating the idea and, ultimately, preparing the pitch through which they present the project and its potential.

For the selected projects, the program continues with support that combines technological development, market analysis, intellectual property protection, mentoring, and engagement with companies, investors, and potential users. This approach makes technology transfer a structured, impact-oriented process.

Local organizations also play a strategic role in this process. Through special awards promoted by the Trento Chamber of Commerce, the Trentino Federation of Cooperation, the Caritro Foundation, Confindustria Trento, Dolomiti Energia, GPI, Innova, and Optoi, they help recognize the most promising technologies and strengthen dialogue between research and industry. This dialogue can continue beyond the award ceremony, creating new opportunities for validation, development, and collaboration.

A total of 175 participants from Fondazione Bruno Kessler and the University of Trento’s academic and research communities responded to the 2026 call, submitting 41 project ideas. Following an initial selection, 30 teams presented their pitches to a jury of experts from research, business, and investment. At the end of the process, 20 projects were selected to develop their respective Proofs of Concept with funding from the program.

The award-winning technologies showcase the diversity and potential of research in Trentino. The selected projects include innovative solutions for green hydrogen production, new therapeutic approaches for genetic diseases and brain tumors, AI and robotics systems that support the digital transformation of industry, precision agriculture technologies, and advanced materials designed to make production processes more sustainable.

While spanning a wide range of fields, the projects share a common goal: turning scientific research into innovations that address real-world challenges and create new market opportunities.

For companies, PoC by Trentino offers a concrete opportunity to identify high-potential technologies before they reach the market, engage with highly specialized expertise, and establish collaborations with the research community. These opportunities can lead to the development of new products and services, access to strategic expertise, and the creation of competitive advantages, while also helping steer the evolution of technologies toward the real needs of industry.

The dialogue that begins with Pitch Day and the award ceremony continues in the months that follow. Over the next eight months, selected teams receive ongoing support through a program designed to create opportunities for exchange, collaboration, and engagement with industry partners and companies. Workshops explore key aspects of bringing technologies to market, from intellectual property management and industrial validation to defining business models and potential forms of collaboration and licensing, public and private funding strategies, and planning future developments both within the region and beyond.

The program continues to grow and is already looking ahead to its next edition in 2027. Companies interested in learning more about the projects or exploring opportunities for collaboration and partnership can contact the FBK Technology Transfer Office at .

PoC by Trentino thus represents a collaborative model of technology transfer: an ecosystem in which research, companies, and institutions share expertise, resources, and a common vision to transform the potential of research into innovation, growth, and new opportunities for the region.