Background
Veneto Nanotech was created in 2003 after a careful evaluation and analysis of the Italian business position regarding innovation and technology transfer, and has grown to coordinate the activities of the hi-tech cluster of nanotechnology applied to materials.
The cluster was originally formed by three universities (Padua, Venice and Verona), the Veneto region of Italy, the Ministry of Education, research organisations and other public institutions and private companies.
Aims and targets
Veneto Nanotech was established with the objective of building international excellence in research, to foster the application of nanotechnology, and to support the development of start-ups in the sector concerned.
Strategy and actions
As an example, one enterprise promoted by Veneto Nanotech is NanoFab, one of the first European laboratories applying nanotechnology to industrial production. Created to promote interaction between the nanotechnology and business communities, it places at the disposal of businesses laboratories in the forefront in order to support technology and scientific expertise transfer. NanoFab proposes itself as a reference point for scientific consultancy through its own facilities as well as through its links with national and international academic institutions. Nanofab operates in two different ways: it can be used by companies with their own technicians and researchers or instead they can place orders for R&D products.
Monitoring and evaluation
Funding/Cost effectiveness
The cluster had an original 5 year budget of €63 million, €26 million of which came from the Italian Ministry of Research and the rest from the regional Veneto government. This was spent on recruiting and training researchers, carrying out research into nanotechnology, and promoting and managing the cluster for the first period. Since then the total budget has exceeded €100m.
Sustainability/Transferability
Veneto Nanotech’s aim is now to create an international area of nanotechnology excellence in the region and spread knowledge of the opportunities for further innovation.
Outcomes/impacts
Achievements
Five years down the line, 400 companies are now involved in the initiative and some 80 research projects have been launched, at a total cost of almost €115 million.
Success factors
A main success factor has been Veneto Nanotech's clarity of role in facilitating coordination of activities in the nanotechnology sector.
Unintended impacts
Strengths and weaknesses
The cluster approach has proved to have been successful in transferring technology and is now an important asset for regional ‘knowledge-based’ development contributing to accelerating innovation processes on a wider scale than on a regional basis.
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