America’s Cup: a call for 20 innovative projects linked to the blue economy

The Call invites proposals to develop solutions capable of addressing six strategic challenges for the future of the Blue Economy: innovating the shipbuilding and sailing sectors, with solutions that integrate research, new technologies and sustainability; making ports and logistics more efficient and sustainable through automation, digitalisation and new solutions for managing port flows and operations; rethinking maritime tourism, optimising tourist flows and distributing the benefits in a more sustainable manner from an economic, social and environmental perspective; making the sea and urban spaces more accessible by developing solutions and services capable of improving inclusivity and usability; protect and enhance marine resources through new technologies and models capable of safeguarding raw materials and marine biological resources and promoting their sustainable use; monitor and manage the effects of climate change by developing tools to measure and mitigate its impact on the seas, coastlines and territories.

Applications must be received by the indirizzo:bandi.contributi@pec.comune.napoli.it by 15 November 2026.

Proposals will be assessed by a Technical Committee through a two-stage process: an initial document-based assessment, focusing on the quality, impact and feasibility of the projects, and a second stage for shortlisted candidates, who will be asked to present their idea via a pitch and a question-and-answer session.

“Innovation and support for young talent in our region are the paths we must take in the immediate future,” says the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi. “With this call for proposals, we are creating the conditions to support start-ups on a path of advanced training, providing expertise, experience, spaces and opportunities to encourage new ideas and projects capable of combining technology and sustainability. With a particular focus on everything related to the Blue Economy. From this perspective, the America’s Cup represents a unique opportunity for young entrepreneurs, offering chances to meet and exchange expertise. Naples is therefore at the forefront of international events and increasingly at the heart of our country’s economic fabric, establishing itself as a true Mediterranean capital,”

“The America’s Cup represents an important opportunity to boost the region’s development even beyond the sporting event itself,” adds Bernardo Mattarella, CEO of Invitalia. “The collaboration between Invitalia and Naples City Council aims to nurture entrepreneurial talent to bring out the best ideas, particularly in the Blue Economy sector. Promoting the creation of highly innovative businesses, with the involvement, in particular, of young people and women, helps to generate quality jobs and create a virtuous cycle of economic, social, environmental and cultural benefits for the communities concerned and for the country as a whole.”