Today, FacilityLive, in collaboration with the European Commission, launched a ‘digital bridge’ between Europe and the Mediterranean.
Matera, Italy – March 1st 2019: New European platform, Startup Europe Mediterranean (SEMED) launched today in Matera, the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Part of the European Commission’s Startup Europe initiative, the SEMED platform is the brainchild of Italy’s highest valued start-up, FacilityLive.
SEMED will connect people, businesses and innovation ecosystems across the Mediterranean basin, including: startups, investors, companies, incubators, universities, research centres and representatives of institutions and politicians. Users will be able to easily organise meetings, exchanging information, ideas and creating partnerships.
The launch of SEMED follows a series of presentations at prestigious events across Europe and the Mediterranean, the final phase of the pre-launching tour was held on February 6th at the European Parliament during an event organised in collaboration with the European Internet Forum (official video of the event).
Matera’s geographical position and strong Mediterranean cultural identity, that will be celebrated throughout 2019 as a symbol of European Culture, is perfectly placed to be the home of the digital bridge between the Europe and Mediterranean ecosystems.
Following a year of preparatory work in collaboration with the European Commission, the project marks the first time an Italian company has been partnered with for a project of this scale and importance. FacilityLive’s ground-breaking, patented technology will be central to the operation and sustainability of the SEMED platform.
Gianpiero Lotito, CEO and founder of FacilityLive comments: “A project like Startup Europe Mediterranean is an important innovation in the creation of ecosystems in Europe, because it is based on a digital platform that will evolve the classic exchange programs that have always characterised the previous ecosystems. We are proud that the choice fell on our platform that wants to be strongly European and Italian.”
The platform, www.startupeuromed.eu, represents an important step forward. It provides a unique opportunity to foster relations among tech businesses in the Mediterranean area, create business opportunities, share best practices and discover talent by connecting regions.
The city of Matera European Capital of Culture 2019, the EIC prize – European Innovation Council Award – for Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid (€ 5M), EMBA Ticinensis of the Alma Mater Ticinensis Foundation, the European Tech Alliance, BlueMed, the Master in International Business and Entrepreneurship of the University of Pavia, Startup Olè Salamanca 2019, the Chamber of Commerce of Basilicata, the Blockchain for Social Good prize, Next Generation Internet, Startup Maroc, Startup Africa Summit, Next Generation Internet, Novamont and Startup Europe Awards have already become official partners of SEMED.
The Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament have included SEMED in one of their latest resolutions that recognise it as “a key action to stimulate cooperation on innovation, job creation and sustainable economic growth”.
The growing interest in the initiative is also evidenced by the attention reserved primarily by the European Parliament as well as appreciation from other numerous and important stakeholders such as companies, investors, foundations, business associations, chamber of commerce, European regions and cities, universities, national research councils and Think Tank, which have expressed strong interest in joining it.
The event took place in the prestigious location of Casa Cava, a theatre carved in the stone in the heart of the famous “Sassi di Matera”, and hosted speakers from all over the Mediterranean among which there are well-known leaders of innovative ecosystems, investors and high-level representatives of the European Commission and other European, national and regional institutions.
SPEAKERS
- Signe Ratso, Deputy Director General responsible for Open Innovation & Outreach at DG RTD of the European Commission
- Andrea Cioffi, Undersecretary for Economic Development responsible for Digital
- Raffaello De Ruggieri, Mayor of Matera
- Roberto Cifarelli, Regional Minister for Economic Development, Job, Education and Research
- Brando Benifei, Rapporteur of Resolution 2018/2160(INI) Post-Arab Spring: way forward for the MENA region at the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament
- Mariya Gabriel, European Commissioner responsible for Digital Economy, Patroness of the Startup Europe Mediterranean Launch Event (Video Message)
- Gianpiero Lotito, Founder & CEO di FacilityLive and President of the European Tech Alliance
- Mariuccia Teroni, Founder & Chair of FacilityLive
- Isidro Laso Ballesteros, Head of Startup Europe at DG Connect of the European Commission
- Emilio Corchado, CEO of Startupolè and University of Salamanca
- Naoufal Chama, CEO of Digimind Morocco, Founder & President of Startup Morocco and Organizer of Startup Africa Summit
- Nicolas Brien, Managing Director of France Digitale
- Pierluigi Argoneto, T3 Innovation Coordinator, Basilicata Region
- Fabienne Gaoutier, Head of Unit Innovation Ecosystems at DG RTD of the European Commission
- Stefano Denicolai, Professor in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at University of Pavia & University of Sussex and former Visiting Scholar at Harvard Business School (2015)
- Emmanuel Noutary, General Delegate at ANIMA Investment Network
- Alessandra Luchetti, Head of Department – A: Excellent Science Department at Research Executive Agency (REA) of the European Commission presenting the Marie Skłodowska-Curie action: Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE)
- Harald Gruber, Head of Division for Digital Infrastructure at the European Investment Bank
- Sigi Gruber, HoU Healthy Oceans & Seas at DG RTD of the European Commission presenting the BlueMed Initiative
