The last green light will arrive on June 24th, the feast of San Giovanni. That day the Council of Europe will approve the actual transfer of the first funds foreseen from the Next Generation Eu Plan. At the first of July the first "Eurobonds" will be placed new type, a first tranche of bonds for around fifty billion, half destined for Italy as an advance on the 221 billion provided for by the NRPP, i.e. the big bet to get Italy out of the recession and lower debt over time that weighs heavily on the country even before the pandemic. A significant part of the project passes from leap in digital quality of the production structure of the Bel Paese, today in 24th place among the European ones, and for all the indicators considered: connectivity, human capital, use of the Internet, integration of digital technologies and digital public services.
Hence the allocation in the plan 40,7 billion euros for the digital transformation of enterprises. But is Italy technologically equipped for this challenge? Judging by the platoon of listed companies, especially small and medium-sized ones, in the various segments of the Italian Stock Exchange, one can look to the future with cautious optimism. And a sign of comfort in this direction was offered by the recent Aim Conference in which companies such as Cy4gate, a small "intelligent" company active in the design, development and production of technologies, products, systems and services related to the needs of cyber intelligence and cyber security expressed by the Armed Forces, Police Forces, Intelligence Agencies and companies. "It was an opportunity to confirm that we are ready to commit ourselves to all digitization activities related to the Recovery Fund", comments the CEO Emanuele Galtieri.
But, sifting through the price lists, the list of companies capable of tackling the challenge by giving the economic fabric a strong acceleration (+1-1,5%) in terms of productivity is really long. Let's try to develop an initial selection of companies that will benefit from EU funds:
- Alchemy is a company specialized in business model innovation for large and medium-sized companies. Mediobanca (outperform, target €16,4) believes it is well positioned to benefit from the growing demand linked to digital transformation.
- Cyberoo specializes in Cybersecurity for businesses. In September, a technological pole will open in Piacenza, in which other local entities linked to the industrial world and scientific research will also participate.
- Circle is an innovative SME that operates in the digitization of the port sector, intermodal logistics and the dematerialization of operational and customs procedures.
- They is an international leader in the production of semiconductor reliability test and control equipment, active in the aerospace & defence, automotive and consumer electronics markets. He recently signed a collaboration with Alberto Sangiovanni Vincentelli, professor of electrical and computer engineering, University of California at Berkeley. The goal is to expand the portfolio of services and solutions within the RETE methodology, developed by Eles, to qualify semiconductor chips and obtain their reliability for "Zero defects".
- esprinet is a distributor of computers, servers and software with a strong presence in Italy and Spain. Recent results have shown strong growth in all areas and all segments, with B2B / B2C business growing year-on-year by +39% / +25% thanks also to the integration with Spanish Gti.
- Fos is a Genoese SME active in consultancy and in the design and implementation of software solutions for large industrial groups. The company is listed on the AIM segment of the Italian Stock Exchange. Fos closed 2020 with a 33% growth to 13 million after the acquisition of InRebus Technologies. Although small, Fos is followed by investors who know the sector in which it operates well, such as the Algebris and AcomeA funds which respectively hold 1,7% and 1,6% of the capital. The services offered include cloud computing, the design, installation and management of local network and data center architectures, as well as disaster recovery services.
- gpi is active in the health services market. It recently obtained the provisional award of the tender for the multi-channel management of the ReCUP service of the Lazio Region. The value of the contract is equal to 32,4 million for 24 months, renewable for another 24, for a total of 64,8 million euro.
- Relatech is an Innovative PMI specialized in Big Data, Blockchain, Machine Learning and Cloud. It has recently reached an agreement on the essential terms of a multi-year agreement (12 years), for an estimated total amount of around 1.8 million relating to a digital innovation project with ITSRIGHT, an independent Italian collecting company, which operates in Italy and in the world, in the market for the rights of performers and record producers.
- Reply , specialized in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media.
- Retelit , a broadband telecommunications company, is among the realities that could benefit most from the funds of the Recovery Fund. It is the Italian leader in the construction of tailor-made projects, created on platforms entirely managed by the Group, for digital transformation. The combination of proprietary assets and PA Group's innovation and digital expertise has given rise to a player capable of offering integrated digital solutions.
- Sesa, listed on the STAR segment, has signed a binding agreement for the purchase of 55% of the capital of Addfor Industriale, a company specializing in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science solutions for the Made in Italy industrial sectors. In this way the group has strengthened its competitive positioning in a business area with high added value.
- Tinexta, a group active in Digital Trust, Credit Information & Management and Innovation & Marketing Services. “All business units – says CEO Pier Andrea Chevallard – recorded an excellent performance contributing to the first quarter results which record solid organic growth in addition to the growth deriving from the consolidation of the acquisitions”
- TXT e-Solutions , an international specialist in software and solutions with a high strategic value. In 2021 you signed contracts in the defense segment and new strategic partnerships.
- wiit, operator active in the Cloud computing services market and listed on the STAR segment.
