From research to business: Naples is investing in talent and ideas

“But the most important thing, at least in the initial phase,” Sala reiterates, “is to understand people. The small companies we have created – some of which have since grown far larger than we ever expected, whilst others are still growing – must have the capacity to bridge two different worlds and cultures: that of research and that of entrepreneurship. These are worlds that often operate at different paces and use different languages. Neither is better than the other, but they must be integrated’ so that ideas and talent can give rise to businesses.

If people matter, excellence makes the difference. “We’re looking for ideas that change the rules of the game, ideas with a strong scientific basis. It is excellence that makes the difference,” says Caterina Meglio, CEO of Materias, another Neapolitan organisation that has taken on the task of bridging the gap between high-level research and industry, supporting technology transfer and the development of innovative solutions, with a particular focus on advanced materials.

“The first point is research, particularly in the materials sector, which cuts across virtually all industrial fields. Research that is truly in-depth and can deliver advanced technological solutions which, in some situations, can actually be a game-changer,” he says. It’s a field where only one in a thousand succeeds. ‘It takes at least five years of investment. In our 10-year history, we’ve seen around 1,300 ideas; we shortlisted about 70, began investing, and that number was whittled down to 40; we narrowed it further to 25, and of those 25, we now have 14 agreements with companies for patent licensing.”

Next year, in the first quarter of 2027, the first product will be launched on the market, thanks to an agreement with Bonifiche Ferraresi in the field of new fertilisers. ‘Ours is a very long journey; it requires very patient capital, which, however, makes all the difference when it pays off,’ says Caterina Meglio. ‘Our model is based on ideas of high scientific value. That is why our most important asset is human capital. We have 20 employees; everyone on our team holds a PhD, two are returnees, and all, of course, have degrees in STEM subjects. And 70 per cent are women – not because we set out to make it that way, but because they proved to be the most talented.”

“My source is expertise – Italian talent, which is the best in the world,” continues Meglio. “The second asset is intellectual property. We hold 140 patents divided into five patent families. These patents have been extended to every country in the world, so we have authorised patents in the United States, Canada, China…”. This is the path that takes cutting-edge research from academic papers and research laboratories to the market and the business world. ‘I’m not a researcher; I carry out business intelligence assessments to work out whether anyone else in the world has already worked on this, is currently working on it, or whether the market is viable for me. Alternatively, I create a new market because my idea leads to the creation of something that doesn’t yet exist.’

A company synonymous with innovation: “We help ideas become reality”, as the company’s website states. Start-ups and SMEs such as Estesias, specialising in 3D printing of reinforced concrete; Sanidrink, specialising in antimicrobial surface treatment; and AMPure, which develops innovative dermocosmetic formulations, have all been founded here. Whilst Materias’s spirit is proudly Neapolitan, and its young talents hail from Campania, the same cannot be said of its capital. “That comes from the North,” concludes the CEO: 7.5 billion raised from private investors and national players, with 14 projects funded by public money.

Thirty years of history, a turnover of 7 million euros, 60 employees, honoured by two Presidents of the Republic – Napolitano and Mattarella – and listed amongst the companies in Borsa Italiana’s ‘Elite’ project, dedicated to SMEs with high growth potential, and a dream: to reach for the moon. This is the DNA of SMS Engineering, an information technology company specialising in software development, ERP, AI, BI, cyber security and digital infrastructure, particularly for data centres. Proudly Neapolitan in origin yet international in its outlook, and, above all, determined to bring young people closer to technology.

“We were just young people when we founded it,” says Vice-President Massimiliano Canestro, “three engineers and a doctor of mathematics. All from the University of Naples Federico II.” They stayed in Naples and built their careers there. Their latest milestone is investment in artificial intelligence, which now accounts for 1 billion in turnover. But their sights are set further afield, and this involves engaging the younger generations.

“We talk about technology in schools too,” says Canestro, “but subjects like ours can seem daunting. That’s why we’ve decided to reach out to young people and speak their language.” This includes projects that go beyond simple communication and outreach. SMS Engineering features on the ‘Quartieri Spagnoli’ edition of Monopoly in Naples, with its logo on the ‘Technology Station’; to promote its IT solutions, it uses a cosplayer who portrays Marvel characters. “Young people are our talent and will be our future clients in the business world,” adds Canestro.

The dream – and the champion of building bridges with the younger generations – is called COSMO. It is a small visual indicator of microgravity, designed to float when conditions of apparent weightlessness are reached. It stems from the experience gained during the JumpinFuture zero-gravity missions, carried out by the Centre for Near Space at the Italian Institute for the Future. With its funny and likeable robot-like appearance, it has also taken social media by storm, featuring in stories posted by both ESA and NASA. ‘COSMO now stands as a symbol of the convergence of scientific research, technological innovation and public outreach. We use it at scientific, technological, university and institutional events, where its presence helps to make complex topics such as microgravity, space exploration, artificial intelligence and new technologies more accessible and engaging,” explains the vice-president of SMS Engineering.

It is customary for astronauts to take a mascot with them on space missions: SMS Engineering has proposed COSMO as an ‘ambassador of Italian innovation’ to NASA. ‘Our dream now is to actually take COSMO into space, as part of a future Axiom Space mission or other missions to which ASI might contribute,’ says Canestro. ‘Pope Francis had already given his blessing to COSMO. We also wanted to imbue this project with a special human and spiritual significance. Inside COSMO’s head is a rosary blessed by Pope Leo XIV, which we would like to take into space as a universal symbol of peace, hope and brotherhood amongst peoples. This message stems from the conviction that space belongs to all of humanity, regardless of nationality, culture or religious beliefs.”