The Italian regions of Sicily and Trieste are making bold moves to strengthen their innovation ecosystems. Through strategic investments in hubs, accelerators, and venture capital, these regions are positioning themselves as leaders in the Mediterranean and beyond.
These initiatives aim to create environments where startups can thrive, attracting both local talent and international investors. The focus is on fostering high-tech industries, from biotechnology to digital innovation, ensuring that Italy remains competitive in the global market.
Sicily’s Ambitious Plan for Innovation Hubs
The Sicilian government has approved funding for 16 new hubs, accelerators, and incubators, marking a significant step in consolidating the region’s startup ecosystem. This initiative, supported by the European Regional Development Fund, aims to provide cutting-edge infrastructure for local startups.
The top project, SiLIFE – Sicily Innovation Hub for Life & Future Enterprises led by BI-REX, scored impressively high with a funding allocation of approximately €999,000. Other notable projects include Qanat – Polo Innovazione Mediterranea by PwC, INN-SO by Gate Real Estate Innovation, and the Ragusa Innovation Lab by ELIS Innovation Hub. These projects focus on innovation, sustainable chemistry, and circular economy.
The 6 million, with the region contributing around €12.8 million. The goal is to transform Sicily into a hub for innovation in the Mediterranean, retaining young talent and attracting investors. The focus areas include life sciences, advanced agro-food, and energy transition.
Edy Tamajo’s Vision for Sicilian Innovation
Edy Tamajo, the regional assessor for productive activities, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “This measure is new for Sicily because it is exclusively designed to grow and consolidate the ecosystem of Sicilian startups,” he stated. The aim is to create an infrastructure that supports the birth, growth, and consolidation of high-tech enterprises.
Tamajo highlighted the need to retain talent and create opportunities within the region. “Through these innovation poles, we want to offer startups services like incubation, acceleration, networking, and access to competencies and investors. Our objective is to make Sicily a place where innovating is advantageous,” he added.
Trieste’s Strategic Shift in Hi-Tech Innovation
In Trieste, a significant shift in the hi-tech landscape occurred with the acquisition of Bic Incubatori Fvg by Innova. This move, finalized on July 3, 2026, marks a new era for the city’s innovation ecosystem. Innova, a company born within the Bic incubator, specializes in designing hardware and software for investigative activities, making it a key player in the intelligence sector.
Bic, established in 1989 and privatized in 2026, has transformed into a Digital Innovation Hub bridging research, education, and industry. With over 370 employees across more than 40 companies and an aggregated turnover exceeding €85 million, Bic has become a cornerstone of Trieste’s tech scene. The incubator’s recent investment in a new digital infrastructure, valued at €1.7 million, underscores its commitment to advanced cybersecurity standards.
The Future of Bic Under Innova’s Leadership
Innova’s acquisition of Bic is seen as a historic and symbolic step. Nicola Salina, president of Innova, stated, “This represents a historic and highly symbolic passage. It demonstrates that in Trieste, it is possible to build successful and continuously growing paths by focusing on technology and innovation.” The collaboration between Bic and Innova is expected to drive further growth and innovation in the region.
Despite the change in ownership, Bip, the previous owner, will continue to collaborate with Innova, leveraging the incubator’s resources for new investment opportunities. This partnership aims to maintain Trieste’s position as a leader in high-tech innovation.
Zest’s Venture into Venture Capital
Zest spa, an accelerator of hi-tech startups formed in 2026 by the merger of Digital Magics and LVentures, is expanding its focus to venture capital. Through a new collaboration with Eureka! Venture SGR, Zest has launched Z_One, a fund dedicated to early-stage startups, particularly in the pre-seed and seed phases. This initiative aims to support startups in their growth beyond the initial incubation phase.
The new fund, valued at €55 million, reflects Zest’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting high-potential startups. This strategic move is expected to strengthen the Italian startup ecosystem, providing the necessary resources for startups to scale and succeed.
As Italy continues to invest in innovation, regions like Sicily and Trieste are setting the stage for a dynamic and competitive future. These initiatives not only support local startups but also attract global talent and investment, positioning Italy as a leader in the global innovation landscape.
