The RAISE Observatory was established within Spoke 5. It is a strategic tool for technology transfer to build an accessible, up- to-date, and shared knowledge base on robotics and artificial intelligence. This knowledge base is designed to support the growth of the innovation ecosystem and the businesses operating within it.
The Observatory is structured around two complementary pillars, both aimed at producing analyses, studies, and data insights of value to researchers, enterprises, investors, and public decision-makers.
The first pillar is devoted to monitoring emerging technologies and investment dynamics in robotics and AI, with a particular focus on developing informative tools to support research and development activities. The second pillar focuses on mapping Italian deep-tech startups, with the aim of providing an in-depth overview of the high-tech entrepreneurial landscape and identifying its strengths, challenges, and evolutionary trajectories.
Pillar 1 | AI & Robotics Monitor
The first pillar is dedicated to building a shared knowledge base on emerging robotics and artificial
intelligence trends, focusing on the national and international landscape. Its dual objective is, on the one
hand, to provide concrete tools and resources to researchers, businesses, investors, and institutions to
navigate an ever-evolving context and, on the other hand, to support the activities of the Spokes, particularly research groups, by offering up-to-date data, analyses, and references to enable informed decision-making and stimulate new collaborations between academia and industry.
This pillar encompasses integrated activities designed to synthesise complex information and make it
accessible and usable for strategic purposes. Key activities include collecting, organising, and analysing
reports from authoritative sources, aimed at delivering a structured overview of robotics and AI, the most
relevant applications, and developments across different sectors. This effort helps to consolidate a
fragmented body of information into a coherent resource that facilitates the continuous updating of
researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
In parallel, the Observatory undertakes systematic monitoring of investment flows and market dynamics,
analysing capital flows and the role of investors at a global level. These analyses are grounded in specialised databases, notably CB Insights, which provides detailed and up-to-date information on startups, funding rounds, acquisitions, and significant market investors. This enables the identification of the most promising growth trajectories, a clearer understanding of financial resource distribution, and a comprehensive mapping of key ecosystem players, including funds, accelerators, and public and private institutions.
The outputs of Pillar 1 also include thematic reports focusing on the technologies and application areas of the individual Spokes, developed in alignment with the Observatory’s cross-cutting objectives. These
contributions strengthen the ability of research groups to remain current on key topics related to the design, competitive positioning, and impact of proposed solutions. At the same time, they offer the broader ecosystem a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of ongoing developments across various fields of innovation.
Pillar 2 | DTS Monitor
The second pillar is dedicated to mapping and analysing Italian deep tech startups (DTS), with particular
emphasis on those operating in robotics and artificial intelligence. It represents a national monitoring
initiative entirely focused on DTS, a strategic tool designed to systematically observe the evolution of Italy’s high-tech entrepreneurial landscape.
This monitoring activity is based on an integrated approach that combines the analysis of official sources,
such as the special section of the Business Register and the AIDA database, with secondary sources
including specialised reports, research centre databases, and press articles. This is complemented by
extensive quantitative and qualitative research carried out through surveys and interviews with the founders of the startups under examination. Such an approach allows for an exploration beyond structural data, uncovering needs, challenges, and barriers encountered by startups throughout their growth journey.
Pillar 2 aims to provide a dynamic and integrated perspective on the Italian deep tech ecosystem through this work. It delivers analytical content and informative tools to support the scientific community, innovation stakeholders, public policy-makers, and the entrepreneurial system.
RAISE Observatory
Chronicles of Artificial Intelligence Investments
This report analyses investments in the artificial intelligence sector at both international and national levels, focusing on identifying the leading companies, startups, and investors driving its development. The objective is to provide an information base to understand current trends, track capital flows, and assess the strategic positioning of key players. This executive summary offers an overview of the global AI company landscape. The full report delves deeper into the 100 most promising ventures of 2024, Italian startups, their investors and geographical distribution, and the European ecosystem, highlighting its dynamics and leading actors.
Chronicles of Robotics Investments
This report explores investments in the robotics sector at national and international levels, mapping the
companies, startups, and investors contributing to its advancement. The aim is to provide a clear understanding of market dynamics and emerging opportunities, supporting the development of solutions capable of attracting investor interest. This executive summary presents a global snapshot of companies
operating in robotics. The full report offers in-depth insights into entities with valuations exceeding one
billion dollars, Italy’s role, and the evolution of the European robotics ecosystem, shedding light on trends, key players, and growth prospects.