The new video-podcast series dedicated to the RAISE ecosystem opens with an episode focused on one of the most crucial steps in research: technology transfer.
The first episode features Miriam Molinari from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, who recounts the work carried out over the past three years by Spoke 5, the part of the ecosystem that supports ideas and technologies along the journey from the laboratory to the market.
During the episode, Molinari retraces the creation and development of a model designed to enhance research results and transform them into concrete opportunities for businesses, territories, and society. Spoke 5 has operated precisely within this intersection between research and the market, fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the development of new entrepreneurial initiatives in robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies.
At the heart of these activities lies the Acceleration Journey, a structured pathway that guides research groups and small and medium-sized enterprises through the different stages of technology transfer. This model has provided a clear framework for the steps required to bring an innovative idea toward practical applications, building a strong bridge between scientific discovery and industrial development.
The Acceleration Journey consists of three main programs designed to support the growth of technologies developed within the ecosystem. The Technological Acceleration Program has supported teams in advancing their scientific solutions, while the Strategic Incubation and Acceleration Program has helped them develop business models and growth strategies. Alongside these initiatives, the Financial Acceleration Program has encouraged dialogue with investors and created new opportunities for funding.
To support researchers during the most delicate stage of this pathway, Spoke 5 also created RAISE up, a mentorship program designed to assist research teams while they shape strategies for the valorization of their technologies. Mentors and innovation experts have guided teams through entrepreneurial skills, analytical tools, and dedicated moments of discussion that supported the development of their projects.
Alongside the acceleration programs, the ecosystem has also promoted two transversal initiatives dedicated to training and knowledge sharing. The Training Program has involved researchers, students, and professionals through educational activities focused on technological innovation and research valorization. The Communication, Dissemination and Public Engagement Program has opened a dialogue with a broader audience, creating opportunities for interaction among the scientific community, companies, institutions, and citizens.
Over the three years of activity, RAISE has organized events, workshops, and conferences that have showcased its progress and results while encouraging new collaborations between academia and industry. These moments of exchange have helped build a network of relationships and expertise capable of strengthening the innovation ecosystem.
The first episode of the video-podcast therefore offers a privileged perspective on this journey. Through Miriam Molinari’s story, audiences can discover how research can evolve into shared value, generating new technological, economic, and social opportunities.
In the coming weeks, the series will continue with new stories dedicated to the projects, people, and ideas that have shaped the RAISE ecosystem, offering a closer look at the work of a scientific community that is building the future of innovation.
More information about the video-podcast series “Incontri con il futuro – Storie di innovazione dall’ecosistema RAISE”, created in collaboration with the media outlet Rinnovabili.
