Theme: technologically advanced solutions for better management of water resource. Context: the water and climate crisis requires companies to rethink the management and development models of networks, plants and infrastructures. For the development of these crucial points have arisen 10 startup, selected and accelerated, who had the opportunity to present themselves to a wide audience of entrepreneurs and client companies of Intesa Sanpaolo potentially interested in investing in their innovative projects. The scope is the first demo day of the new edition, dedicated to Watertech, of Up2Stars, the program, in its second edition, created by Intesa Sanpaolo to stimulate the potential that young entrepreneurial entities can generate in support of the digital transition indicated by the PNRR.
From consumption control, to desalination, to purification, to irrigation
Among innovative ideas presented by startups: sensors and intelligent devices to monitor water consumption and detect any leaks or waste, mechanisms for seawater desalination, wastewater recovery and purification solutions, to data-based irrigation systems.
“Water is an irreplaceable and infinite resource, which is why it is a priority for companies to create models for the sustainable use and recovery of water resources through advanced technologies applied to production processes” he says Anna Roscio, Executive Director Sales&Marketing Companies Intesa Sanpaolo. “In this context, startups can play a decisive role in transferring technological skills to mature companies” and adds “Intesa Sanpaolo also encourages this process with the Up2Stars program: since the launch of the program we have already selected 50 of the best innovative entrepreneurial companies, accompanying them in managerial growth paths and networking with investors and businesses. At the same time, we support research and the sharing of skills by creating a dialogue in the area between CNR, universities, incubators, and competence centers with financial, consultancy and prospective support".
The event, organized and carried out with the support of Visa, took place at the Apple Developer Academy ofFederico II University of Naples, a center of excellence for innovation, where research, technology and the entrepreneurial world converge. The University is in fact also home to the CNR Agritech – PNRR reference center for innovation and research in the agri-food sector and partner of this edition of Up2Stars – and the Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Hub, dedicated to technological transfer from academic research towards businesses, a meeting and dialogue point between startups, research centers, incubators, "accelerators" and other innovation players and stakeholders.
In this first demo day dedicated to WaterTech, the startups participating in the Up2Stars program had the opportunity to present themselves to a wide audience of entrepreneurs and client companies of Intesa Sanpaolo potentially interested in investing in their innovative projects.
An important challenge, in which digital technology plays a fundamental role. In fact, there are more and more companies and startups that use advanced technologies such as Big Data, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and cloud to make water supply and distribution more efficient. Even water, therefore, can become "smart". I am an example of this
Intesa Sanpaolo is a partner of the Federico II University, with which it has developed multiple activities to promote research, innovation and sustainability. Among these, the 34 workshops in which the Bank encouraged the meeting of over 40 startups with more than 900 local client companies and 500 students, creating various innovation matchings. Furthermore, again in collaboration with the University, Intesa Sanpaolo has developed the Fintech Project work project to bring students closer to their professional future by acquiring project management and digital strategy skills, and Terra Next, the acceleration program for startups and innovative SMEs operating in the Bioeconomy sector, born in collaboration between the Intesa Sanpaolo Group and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, which sees the Federico II University as a scientific partner alongside a corporate partner.
Watertech in Italy: increasing consumption efficiency is essential
Italy is among the European countries with the greatest water stress and the impact of climate change adds to a supply of systems and works that is not always adequate and to one of the highest water consumption in Europe, underlines the Research and Development Department Intesa Sanpaolo research. Efficiency in consumption in this context is an essential element: the demand side measures involve significant investments in technologies and systems, first and foremost in the agricultural sector, which appears to be the main user of the resource with 11,6 billion cubic meters in 2021, equal to 47% of total consumption. The advantages deriving from the adoption of new technologies could also be significant in the industrial sector (22,4% of consumption) where water is used both as a primary input in the production process and for cooling machinery or washing plants and where water saving and resource reuse measures are still not widespread. “It is therefore crucial to invest both in works connected to supply, both in distribution networks and in the sewerage and purification sectors, and in innovation and technology” says Intesa SanPaolo. “It is also necessary to store more resources, reduce losses and improve fuel efficiency.
New technologies and solutions for a new management model
Climate change requires investments in innovation with greater attention to sustainability and environmental respect. By analyzing data on environmental patents from OECD sources, says Intesa Sanpaolo, it is possible to identify some specific technological trends for the water sector: reduction of water pollution (for example waste water treatment, sludge, reclamation), water conservation ( for example waste reduction, infrastructure control, irrigation control, distribution) and availability (for example rainwater collection, desalination of sea water). According to the OECD study, although Italy is not present among the main patenters in the water sector, it is however in the ranking of those countries that deposit patents in water technologies with a high innovative value. “This result reflects the potential that our country can have in developing new solutions in the water sector and also supporting the birth of new startups” concludes Intesa.
