Project Overview
Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti di Roma (CTE Roma) was a strategic 5-year innovation initiative coordinated by Roma Capitale with the objective of accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies and strengthening the innovation ecosystem of the Lazio region.
The project created a collaborative environment connecting:
- universities and research centers,
- startups and SMEs,
- public institutions,
- corporates,
- technology providers,
- and innovation support organizations.
CTE Roma focused on promoting experimentation, technology transfer, and startup creation around enabling technologies such as:
- 5G networks,
- Artificial Intelligence (AI),
- Internet of Things (IoT),
- Blockchain,
- cloud computing,
- and digital transformation solutions.
The initiative supported companies and innovators in transforming research results and technological know-how into scalable products, services, and market-ready solutions capable of generating economic and societal impact.
Our Role & Contribution
INNOVA played a central role in coordinating technology transfer activities dedicated to SMEs participating in the project.
Over a three-year implementation period, INNOVA designed and managed advanced support services aimed at helping companies integrate emerging technologies into their innovation and business development strategies.
The activities coordinated by INNOVA involved 12 SMEs that received high-value innovation support services focused on:
- technology scouting,
- knowledge transfer from universities and research centers,
- innovation assessment,
- business model development,
- and integration of emerging digital technologies.
INNOVA specifically supported SMEs working on innovative solutions involving:
- 5G-enabled applications,
- Artificial Intelligence,
- Blockchain technologies,
- Internet of Things (IoT),
- smart digital services,
- and advanced connectivity solutions.
The company facilitated collaboration between enterprises and local universities to enable the transfer of scientific know-how into industrial and commercial applications.
INNOVA also contributed to:
- innovation mentoring,
- startup support,
- strategic business development,
- commercialization planning,
- networking and ecosystem engagement,
- and innovation management activities.
Its contribution ensured that participating companies could effectively bridge the gap between research, experimentation, and market deployment.
The Challenge
Despite the rapid growth of emerging technologies, many SMEs face significant barriers in accessing advanced technological know-how and integrating innovative digital solutions into their business models.
Key challenges included:
- limited access to research infrastructures,
- insufficient collaboration between academia and industry,
- lack of internal expertise on emerging technologies,
- difficulties in commercializing innovation,
- and limited support for experimentation and prototyping activities.
CTE Roma addressed these challenges by creating an innovation hub capable of connecting companies, researchers, public institutions, and technology providers within a collaborative ecosystem focused on digital transformation and advanced technologies.
The project also aimed to strengthen Rome’s position as a national innovation hub for emerging technologies and smart city development.
Consultation Process
Impact & Results
CTE Roma significantly contributed to strengthening the innovation capacity of SMEs and startups within the Lazio region by facilitating access to emerging technologies and advanced innovation services.
Through the activities coordinated by INNOVA:
- 12 SMEs received specialized technology transfer support,
- collaboration between academia and industry was reinforced,
- emerging technologies were integrated into innovative products and services,
- local innovation ecosystems became more interconnected,
- and companies improved their readiness for digital transformation and market expansion.
The project also contributed to promoting Rome as a strategic European hub for:
- digital innovation,
- smart city experimentation,
- advanced connectivity,
- and deep-tech entrepreneurship.
CTE Roma demonstrated how collaborative innovation ecosystems can accelerate technology adoption, strengthen SME competitiveness, and foster sustainable innovation growth.
Project Information :
