Taranto CirTech
We concretely support the development
of innovative and circular business ideas
The project
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This project aims to take Taranto Circolare‘s activities, results, and experiences to a further level, expanding the study of circularity and the initial project proposals and exploring the potential offered by biotechnology and advanced technologies applied to the circular economy. The initiative concretely supports the development of innovative and circular business ideas, connecting the research dimension with the production world, thus applying in practice what has been studied and proposed so far on a theoretical level.
Find out more about Taranto Circolare!
Objective
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In Taranto, a city marked by an industrial heritage but also by a strong vocation for the blue economy and agrifood, circularity plays a central role, especially in a delicate environmental context. Promoting circular models is essential to make the local production ecosystem more sustainable and reduce the urban environmental impact. The territory offers numerous opportunities to strengthen circularity, fostering the emergence of innovative economic activities, promoting local innovation, and creating value for the community. For these reasons, the circular economy represents the pivot of the entire project proposal, which has its general objective in innovating the productive system of the urban and provincial area of Taranto in a sustainable and regenerative manner.
Activities and timeline
1 | Hackathon
The event will involve Apulian researchers, students, entrepreneurs and startuppers in an open competition, fostering collaboration between the academic and productive worlds.
2 | Call4Ideas
An invitation to start-ups, researchers and hackathon participants to propose deep tech solutions to local challenges. The aim is to select at least 6/8 ideas for an acceleration programme.
3 | Acceleration
An accompanying pathway for proposals selected through Call4Idea, with the aim of increasing circularity in the production system.
4 | Matchmaking
The project will conclude with a pitch day for investors and selected ideas, with the aim of identifying investments and thus fostering circularity in the local ecosystem.
PoC
About three projects will be developed in PoCs/pilot projects with local and regional companies, aligning priorities and needs on circularity
15 – 16 May
Hybrid event,
based in Taranto
Hackathon
Taranto CirTech | Hackathon represents an opportunity for students, researchers and startuppers from Apulia who share an interest in sustainable innovation to meet and collaborate. A hackathon that invites to contribute concretely to the territory’s transition towards a more circular, technological and environmentally friendly model. The challenge is centred on using deep tech to address major sustainability issues innovatively. Biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, new materials, sensors and the Internet of Things will be at the centre of developing high-impact solutions.
The submitted projects will be evaluated according to their potential for impact and development. Participants will be asked to design innovative projects capable of generating real change at urban and regional scales, choosing one of six strategic areas: Blue Economy, Agrifood, Energy, Water, Waste, and Textile.
Call4Ideas
The Call4Ideas is aimed at the proposers of projects submitted through the Taranto Circolare platform, other start-ups present on the platform, hackathon participants, and any other start-ups and research projects in the Puglia region and beyond that would like to offer their deep tech technologies to solve problems in the territory. The proposals that have or intend to open an operational headquarters in Southern Italy, in line with the objectives of the call, will be rewarded.
The initiative aims to gather business proposals for circularity that suggest using innovative deep-tech technologies. A panel of experts will select up to 8 projects for an acceleration process.
3 | Acceleration
Gap Analysis and Circularity – Preliminary assessment of the selected proposals on two fronts: circularity level and economic-entrepreneurial strength. The analysis will be conducted by researchers with expertise in biotechnology, deep tech and economics, also involving potential investors.
Acceleration Programme – Support for start-ups to transform ideas into concrete projects, with a common phase on circular economy and business management, and a customised phase to strengthen technical-scientific skills and prepare for the search for funding.
Call4Experts
Taranto CirTech officially opens its call for experts, seeking educational experts, mentors and professional judges, to support local teams, start-ups and projects in the development of innovative solutions with a high environmental and social impact. We are building a network of experts to strengthen the circular economy and sustainable innovation ecosystem in the Taranto area. If you have skills and experience in these areas, join us and make a real contribution to the transition towards a more circular future.
Open positions&calls
For the CirTech project, Tondo is looking for new professionals to support its implementation in different areas. We are looking for motivated, competent, and passionate people with experience in innovation, sustainability, and the circular economy. The open positions cover strategic, operational, and analytical roles. If you want to contribute to the transition to a more circular future, join us!
Promoter and Organizer
Tondo supports analyses, studies, scientific research, projects, pilot initiatives, and operational activities aimed at safeguarding and improving environmental conditions, as well as promoting the wise and rational use of natural resources, in line with the principles of the Circular Economy.
Scientific partners
The scientific partners provide their technical and scientific know-how, making an essential contribution to the development of the programme. Their involvement is vital to guarantee methodological rigour, support in evaluating solutions, and technical-specialist accompaniment during the key phases of the programme.
Institutional partners
Institutional partners play a strategic role in bridging research and innovation with the productive sector. Thanks to their operational expertise, technical resources, and direct market knowledge, they contribute to the development and validation of the most promising solutions. Their active involvement, through mentoring and close support, helps foster the growth of an ecosystem focused on innovation and industrial sustainability.
Ecosystem partners
Ecosystem partners leverage their networks and technical-methodological expertise to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and foster high-impact synergies. They contribute to the identification and development of projects by providing specialised guidance, promoting technology transfer, and valorising research.
Financial partners
Financial partners play a strategic role in evaluating the growth potential of the most promising startups. Thanks to their expertise in assessing entrepreneurial opportunities and understanding development dynamics, they help identify the most solid and scalable initiatives. Their involvement supports the growth of an innovative and sustainable ecosystem.
Media partner
Media partners play a key role in promoting and disseminating the event to a broad and diverse audience. Through their channels, they help raise awareness of the initiative, amplify its visibility, and engage new communities, fostering wider and more informed participation.
“Taranto CirTech: Taranto Circolare – Call 4 Deep Tech Ideas” project created following the participation of Tondo in the MUSA – Multilayered Urban Sustainability Action – project, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) Mission 4 Component 2 Investment Line 1.5: Strengthening of research structures and creation of R&D “innovation ecosystems”, set up of “territorial leaders in R&D”.