The challenges of internationalisation: Five Sardinian companies at ‘We Make Future’ in Bologna
This is what has been described as the largest and most comprehensive trade fair ever organised by the WMF, featuring over 800 exhibitors, 3,000 start-ups, SMEs and investors, 2,800 B2B meetings, and 73,000 visitors from 90 countries
From technological innovation to the agri-food sector, via tourism. Sardinian businesses are setting their sights on international markets and playing the internationalisation card. The starting point is trade fairs and the opportunities these events offer to businesses in the sector. This is one of the reasons that prompted Sardinian companies, as part of the programmes run by the Region, to take part in the ‘We Make Future’ trade fair in Bologna – an event described as the largest and most comprehensive ever organised by WMF. The figures, as highlighted by the organisers, speak for themselves: over 800 exhibitors, 3,000 start-ups, SMEs and investors, 2,800 B2B meetings, and 73,000 visitors from 90 countries.
An event that also serves as a showcase for the companies that have decided to take part and present their activities. “This initiative continues to be a vital opportunity for Sardinian innovation-focused companies to develop commercial and industrial relationships at national and international level,” said Guido Portoghese, Chief of Staff at the Department of Industry, at the end of the three-day event, held from 24 to 26 June, which also saw the Region of Sardinia and five Sardinian start-ups take centre stage at one of the most important international events on innovation – whilst for the Region it is an important opportunity to establish channels of collaboration with other institutions, particularly in the field of internationalisation.” For the occasion, the start-ups Certy, Icarus, Radoff, The Big Wave and Datamesh – all based in Sardinia and supported by the Regional Department of Industry – took part; these companies are active in various sectors of innovation. The event also provided an opportunity for institutional meetings. The Department’s representative also took part in a meeting with representatives of Italian chambers of commerce abroad, during which the topic of Sardinian supply chains with potential for expansion into European markets was explored in depth, particularly the nautical, stone, cork and agri-food sectors. Among the events was also a meeting with the regional deputy governor for digital governance of Central Macedonia, Nikos Tzollas, who invited the Region of Sardinia to take part in the Thessaloniki Money Show, the most important economic and business forum in northern Greece, focusing on ©Region of Sardinia Guido Portoghese, Chief of Staff at the Department of Industry, on innovation and institutional development. ‘An event that could represent a significant opportunity for Sardinian businesses which – as Portoghese added – wish to enter new markets, not only in the field of technological innovation but also in tourism and the agri-food sector.’ These are genuine business challenges that companies are seeking to tackle, starting from Sardinia.
