The place where research becomes a product. Here US Techpark, the innovation district of South Tyrol. An ecosystem in which 75 companies, 35 startups, 4 research institutes coexist (Eurac Research, Laimburg Research Center, Fraunhofer Italy is Climate House), the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, 40 laboratories and 700 highly qualified workers, for over 70% graduates with masters or with PHD. Actors collaborating to generate innovation in key sectors of the South Tyrolean economy: Green, Food, Digital, Automotive and Automation.
And it is precisely to the latter sector that the WE Techpark in Brunico, the new pole of innovation that will arrive in 2022 in Val Pusteria powered by hydrogen, the green gold on which the South Tyrolean province is betting more than others. The NOI Techpark in Brunico, the result of a strategic investment of 31 million euros, will support research and development in the field of smart mobility. Not everyone knows, in fact, that one in three cars has components made in South Tyrol. Eight hundred companies, mostly suppliers of German carmakers, contribute half to the province's exports, employing 16,000 people, or one in three employees in the area.
After all, as the president of NOI Techpark, Helga Thaler recalls: «Never like today it is essential to encourage the meeting between industry and research in order to compete globally ». A goal that NOI Techpark has very clear.
Reacting to the crisis
During Covid-19, in particular, he supported companies, accompanying them in facing a sudden and unexpected change. With a conviction: you also learn from crises. For this, they should not be wasted. Thus he created the platform “Reacting to the crisis” with which he offered tailor-made services for companies, freelancers and start-ups. The initiative offered specific consultations with coaches, webinars and digital tools for the home office.
Innovation is like nature
"WE is synonymous with adaptability - says Ulrich Stofner, director of NOI Techpark - We felt the responsibility to respond immediately, supporting companies, and to make our entire network and skills available". Mission accomplished if we consider that upon physical reopening of the activities, in the post lockdown, NOI Techpark counted 19 new entries: 10 companies and 9 start-ups. From Würth to Loacker, from ODIS to Ontopic. "That there are companies and start-ups that did not want to stop and continue to focus on new plans and innovative projects is an important signal in this delicate phase", comments the director, "The NOI, together with its partners, can offer them the network and infrastructure necessary to increase know-how and competitiveness».
The «nature of innovation», Acronym of the park, after all, is just this: a flow never equal to itself that regenerates and continues to grow even after storms.
Silvia Pagliuca
