a4oi – Agrifoodtech for Open Innovation

Event organized by by Agrifood AxElerator (AxE), *beeco, FEDERALIMENTARE, ENEA, and CL.A.N.

Agrifood AxElerator (AxE) is a qualified matchmaking platform that connects agrifoodtech startups—already established and with an existing MVP—with food and beverage companies looking for concrete solutions ready to be tested in their processes.

*beeco is an innovation ecosystem and tech hub that promotes sustainable practices and synergies in the agrifoodtech sector, supporting community access to advanced technologies. It also supports the launch and growth of startups and innovative projects by offering incubation, applied research, and training.

FEDERALIMENTARE - Founded in 1982 within Confindustria, Federalimentare represents and protects the Italian food and beverage industry—the nation's second-largest manufacturing sector, which, with an annual turnover of over 197 billion euros, contributes 9% to the national GDP (2024 data). Through its national trade associations, Federalimentare brings together thousands of manufacturing companies dedicated to enhancing the excellence of Made in Italy food products. Working alongside Italian institutions, Federalimentare promotes a healthy, balanced, and sustainable food model based on safety and quality standards. The Federation supports the export orientation of food and beverage companies to bring the values of food and wine culture to tables around the world, safeguarding Made in Italy food excellence against counterfeiting. Mindful of business needs and encouraging research and innovation while fully respecting tradition, Federalimentare responds to evolving consumer demands and market trends. Proud to represent one of the driving sectors of the country's economy at the heart of the main economic supply chain in Italy and the European Union, it protects its interests at the national, European, and international levels.

ENEA - ENEA is the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy, and Sustainable Economic Development. The Department for the Sustainability of Production and Territorial Systems (SSPT) has the mission to develop eco-innovation in production and consumption systems, contributing to the implementation of national strategies and policies while encouraging more efficient and sustainable supply models. Within the Department, the Division of Sustainable Food Systems (SSPT-AGROS) focuses on innovation to enhance the competitiveness of food production by promoting supply chain approaches and local territorial clusters.

CL.A.N. - The National Agrifood Cluster (CL.A.N.) is a recognized multi-stakeholder association that brings together companies, trade associations, universities, research organizations, training bodies, and local representations operating in the agrifood sector. It was established to promote, defend, and boost the development of the agrifood supply chain—from agricultural production to processing and related industrial sectors—by stimulating innovation, maximizing the value of research results, creating new skills, and encouraging collaboration among research institutions, enterprises, public administration, and government bodies. Since 2019, the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MIUR) has recognized the CL.A.N. Cluster as a steering committee and key point of contact for national and European institutions regarding research and innovation in the agrifood sector.

Session overview

a4oi is an open innovation initiative that engages companies, researchers, and startups to tackle the most urgent challenges in the agrifoodtech sector. Working groups are custom-built through targeted stakeholder matchmaking to generate sustainable projects addressing real business needs. The goal is to drive concrete impact and foster collaborations capable of transforming agriculture and the agrifood supply chain.

General Program

9:30 - 10:00: Welcome

10:00 - 10:30: Institutional Greetings

10:30 - 11:30: Presentation of Corporate Needs

11:30 - 16:30: Table Discussions

16:30 - 18:00: Final Presentations

The event will be held in Italian

English translation available (see below)