Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and SMAU support nine Italian Scale-ups across leading global innovation hubs

Through three Tech Tours in the UK, France and the United States, innovative companies from the Innovation Center network gained new opportunities for visibility, business development and international growth

In 2026, Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center renewed its commitment to supporting the international development of the Italian innovation ecosystem by accompanying a selection of scale-ups from its portfolio to SMAU’s international events in London, Paris and New York. The participating companies benefited from increased visibility in foreign markets and established strategic connections with corporates, investors and global innovation players. SMAU is one of Italy’s leading platforms dedicated to startups, open innovation and networking among companies, investors and innovation stakeholders, acting as a meeting point between the Italian ecosystem and some of the world’s most dynamic international hubs.

Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center’s Mission: Showcasing Scale-ups on International Markets

The roadshow with SMAU, for which Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center is both a sponsor and long-standing partner, is part of a broader strategy aimed at supporting the international scaling of Italy’s most promising innovative companies. This is achieved through the creation of business development opportunities, commercial matching initiatives and engagement with top-performing global innovation ecosystems.

The initiative involved a total of nine startups from the Innovation Center network, which took part in B2B meetings, networking activities and discussions with investors, corporates and strategic partners across different target markets.

From London to New York: Network Startups Take Center Stage

The first stop of the roadshow took place in London from 9 to 11 March, in Europe’s leading tech hub. Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center accompanied Ogyre, a startup focused on ocean conservation; AWorld, a Turin-based company developing digital sustainability solutions; and Infinity ID, which specializes in RFID technologies and Industry 5.0 solutions for manufacturing, logistics and retail. During the event, Innovation Center highlighted its role within the ecosystem by participating in a panel discussion on partnerships as a driver of business transformation.

The second stop was held in Paris from 14 to 16 April at Station F, Europe’s largest startup accelerator. Featured companies included TimelapseLab, developer of smart devices for remote construction site management; Miraitek, focused on remote monitoring solutions for industrial plants; and Krillmat, which develops innovative bioplastics made from organic waste materials. Innovation Center also participated in a panel dedicated to open innovation within globally connected innovation ecosystems.

The third Tech Tour brought three innovative companies to the East Coast innovation ecosystem for the first time alongside Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center (New York, 10–12 June). Participants included InspectionDrone, a startup combining drones, artificial intelligence and big data to deliver advanced inspection services; UTwin, specialized in the digital management of buildings and real estate through BIM technologies; and Skillgym, an AI-based platform for training and skills development. On this occasion, Innovation Center joined a panel discussion focused on building new innovation ecosystems beyond national borders.

Innovation Center Tech Tours with SMAU: A Bridge Between Italian Innovation and Global Markets

The support programmes developed with SMAU are designed to create a lasting connection between the Italian innovation ecosystem and major international markets, fostering the creation of new industrial, commercial and financial collaborations. The format combines networking activities, matchmaking meetings, workshops, round tables and discussion sessions involving startups, large companies, investors and institutions.

For startups, these programmes also represent an important opportunity to connect with ecosystem players that can support internationalization and soft-landing initiatives, helping them build strategic relationships in highly innovative markets characterized by strong concentrations of capital, technological expertise and business opportunities.