IREFI played a pivotal role in fostering cross-border collaboration, connecting companies, investors, and industrial leaders.

From over 450 applications across Europe, nine standout start-ups were selected. These innovators gain access to an international network for strategic partnerships with major corporates and industrial groups. Additionally, they are eligible for Scientifica’s operational venture capital support, which aids start-ups from pre-seed to growth stages, driving scale-up and global expansion.

The selected start-ups are:

• Daidalos, which has designed an innovative hardware accelerator specifically for AI, capable of delivering greater computing power with reduced energy consumption
• Layer Logic, which has developed a high-precision biosensor that reduces the time needed to detect bacteria in food products, such as fish and cheese, from days to minutes
• Materys, with its AI-powered platform that automates the technical complexities involved in the effective discovery and analysis of materials
• Spuma, which has developed a patented, biodegradable bio-additive for the removal of PFAS from contaminated water, achieving over 90% effectiveness without generating secondary waste – unlike traditional filtration methods
• Next Generation Robotics, which has created advanced robotic systems for the inspection and monitoring of railway rolling stock (trains, subways, freight trains, and rail vehicles in general), with the goal of digitizing and remotely managing the visual inspection process
• Ningaloo Biosystem, which has developed a platform that applies dynamic control based on optogenetics to bioreactor processes, optimizing biopharmaceutical production
• QSensAto, which develops miniaturized atomic sensors based on Laser-Written Vapor Cells (LWVCs), using quantum technology to perform ultra-precise and accurate measurements
• Quidditas, with its innovative genomic editing platform that enables controlled recombination of large DNA fragments
• Inflant, which has developed a solution that reduces the inflammatory response in the intestine without compromising the immune system’s overall ability to fight infections

The nine selected start-ups operate in strategic sectors such as Generative Artificial Intelligence, Smart Materials, Agritech, Smart City & Mobility, Advanced Manufacturing, Quantum Technologies, and Climate Tech.

In addition to Italian ventures, the group includes teams from Germany, Belgium, France, and Sweden, perfectly aligned with Super Sapiens Europe’s mission to foster a Europe-wide innovation landscape and identify the most promising investment opportunities in the technological innovation market.

“Europe is an emerging hub for deep tech start-ups, with untapped potential that deserves to be recognized and supported. With initiatives like Super Sapiens Europe, we aim to accelerate the growth of a more integrated and globally competitive ecosystem,” said Riccardo D’Alessandri, Managing Partner at Scientifica Venture Capital. “The selected start-ups will embark on a structured path of validation and scale-up, strengthening their business models and developing effective go-to-market strategies to position themselves as leaders in their respective fields.”

Super Sapiens Europe brought together several of IREFI’s key partners, including leading innovators such as Edison, Eni, STMicroelectronics, Fincantieri, Generali, and Thales. Their involvement underscores the strong interest of major industrial players in fostering strategic collaborations with start-ups through open innovation models to accelerate technological advancements and market solutions. Initiatives like Call4Ideas Super Sapiens Europe highlight Europe’s potential to position itself as a global innovation hub.