In this challenging environment, characterized by obstacles and difficulties, but also moments of inspiration and a collective resolve to work together, the FUTURE4PRIMA project shines as a beacon of action, hope and a catalyst for profound transformation.

A collaborative journey

The recently granted FUTURE4PRIMA project, led by PRIMA Program, will be embarking on a collaborative journey starting on January 2024, with 21 partners across the Mediterranean. This coalition includes R&I Ministries as well as universities and research organizations, uniting their expertise and dedication to a common cause.

Strengthening collaborations for a resilient future

FUTURE4PRIMA is set to reinforce and expand collaborations between national R&I funding institutions, particularly in the areas of sustainable agri-food systems and water management in the Mediterranean.

Building upon the legacy of the Horizon 2020 Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), this project aims at extending the Program’s activities to widening countries and, crucially, reaching out to third countries bordering the Mediterranean.

This expansion aims to pool resources, focus on shared priorities, and address emerging challenges in the region, aligning with the European Green Deal’s objectives and the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

FUTURE4PRIMA seeks to add an integrated approach to resource management, encompassing ecosystems, energy, and health, thereby broadening PRIMA’s original focus on sustainable water management and agri-food systems.

Charting a path forward

FUTURE4PRIMA outlines four key objectives that underpin its mission:

1. Creating an Enabling Environment: The project seeks to establish an environment conducive to cross-sector R&I collaborations and strategic coordination among research funding organizations. This is vital for addressing resource efficiency and climate change challenges on a global scale.
2. Fostering Policy Uptake: FUTURE4PRIMA aims to foster the adoption of improved regulatory aspects that facilitate R&I cooperation, strengthening the international dimension of the European Research Area.
3. Accelerating Market Uptake: To drive innovation ecosystems and market uptake in widening and southern neighborhood countries, the project will support the adoption of innovations.
4. Providing Access to Information and Tools: FUTURE4PRIMA will offer access to information and tools to measure progress towards achieving the EU Green Deal and the SDGs.

Over the course of 48 months, FUTURE4PRIMA will:

• Develop shared R&I strategies among national funding agencies.
• Establish strategic orientations for the renewed PRIMA partnership within the next EU Framework Programme.
• Overcome implementation obstacles, streamline procedures, and harmonize national R&I processes.
• Bridge gaps in the EURO-MED project portfolio, promoting research uptake that addresses market and social needs while unlocking innovation potential.

This collaboration lays the foundation for a comprehensive update of the PRIMA Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), offering a promising path towards a brighter and more sustainable future for the Mediterranean and beyond.

Regarding META Group’s involvement in FUTURE4PRIMA, Adelaide Moscatelli, Project Manager, highlighted that: “We are very pleased to participate in FUTURE4PRIMA. By validating the innovation potential of the projects, we will ensure that the benefits they ought to generate effectively reach the Mediterranean region. This approach will allow to profit from the long-term impact of these ambitious initiatives”.

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Bridging the Gap: CircularInvest’s Mission

Circular economy projects have the potential to revolutionise the way we think about resource management and sustainability. Yet, the path from concept to realisation can be challenging, particularly when seeking financial support. CircularInvest is on a mission to change this.

CircularInvest is a dynamic initiative run by four organisations – INOVA+, META Group, Circle Economy, and ICLEI Europe. This consortium possesses the right combination of competences, experience, and a vast network of experts to offer unique and effective services to circular economy project promoters.

The core objective of CircularInvest is to help circular economy projects reach maturity and become investment-ready, thereby increasing their chances of securing the necessary financial resources for implementation. Projects that CircularInvest supports should exhibit a minimum viable product or a scalable prototype (Technology Readiness Level 6 or higher), have a clear business and financial model, and demonstrate strong economic potential. They should also be innovative, providing distinct advantages over existing alternatives and generating positive environmental, economic, and social impacts in one or more eligible territories.

Empowering Circular Economy Project Promoters

CircularInvest offers a comprehensive suite of services to empower circular economy project promoters:

1. Tailored Mentoring Sessions: Experienced experts provide personalised mentoring sessions to enhance the circularity of supported projects. These sessions also help in developing robust business plans and securing funding.
2. Peer-to-Peer Workshops: Project promoters can participate in peer-to-peer online workshops, enabling them to learn from and collaborate with other circular economy developers.
3. Pitch Sessions: CircularInvest provides opportunities to pitch projects to potential investors, both online and in live settings.
4. Knowledge Transfer and Networking: Participants can engage in knowledge transfer events and expand their networks through a Community of Practice.
5. Promotion: CircularInvest offers a platform for project promoters to showcase their projects through various channels.

It is important to note that while CircularInvest does not provide direct financial resources to selected projects, it does offer invaluable support and networking opportunities.

Project developers are encouraged to apply by 15 December 2023. To find more details and access the application portal, click here.

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• The Lean Canvas – 18th October. One of the main failure for early-stage startups is that there is no market needs towards the products/services they are developing. Thus to avoid to fall into this statistic, it is important early-stage startups explore the Lean Canvas as a strategic planning tool. 
• The Unique Value Proposition Canvas – 6th November. The first goal in adopting the Lean Canvas is to reach the Problem-solution fit which is basically when a startup is developing a solution for a specific need(s) for the customers. In order to reach this goal, startups need to use the UVP as a strategic tool. 
• Approaching risk capital investors – 21st November. High-growth early stage startups need money to scale and boost their activities. It is important that the founders understand which are the kind of investors in the market and which is the best way to approach them. 
• How to master your pitch – 5th December. The first approach to investors is the key to increase the odds to get the funds. Thus, preparing a great pitch is crucial to achieve this first step.

A problem oriented approach

This Business Partnership Action consists of four 90-minute online workshops, each including both theoretical and practical aspects. It also offers the participants the opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, exchange best practices, ideas and perspectives, and leverage lessons learned from their journey. 

The workshops will be guided by META Group’s senior expert and coach, Lorenzo Valeriani. He has an educational background in Technology management from Unicusano University and in quantitative finance from the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Lorenzo has been part of META Group since 2016. Over the years, he focused in the financial domain, particularly within META Ventures, where he worked as analyst on supportingportfolio startups across Italy. Lorenzo continues to work closely with early-stage startups, aiming to provide them with the expertise and tools necessary to secure crucial financial backing to boost their fast growth. He combines these activities with his involvement in several EU projects. 

Regarding the value that the participants will find in these workshops, Lorenzo said: “We’re trying to orient them to tackle a concrete problem. Giving to the founders, in a seed phase, a problem oriented approach will help them to have a higher chance of success. In our experience, having the right strategic mindset plays a crucial role in increasing the survival rate of early-stage startups. This is exactly what we are looking to transmit during the first two workshops. By provinding the participants with this toolkit, startups will follow a strategy which can stick better to the target customers.  

A workshop to help you navigate the ecosystem of investment 

When asked about the appointments on 21st November and 5th December, Lorenzo explained that “the last two are more focused on how to present the project to the investors and to navigate in the ecosystem of investment. Fast growing startups need money to rapidly scale and thus it is important for them to immediately look around and understand how the risk capital industry works” 

This initiative is open to start-up founders and representatives who are looking to enhance their understanding of business partnerships actions. If it resonates with you and want to improve your chances of finding investors for your company, click here and register now.  

The Region Alliance for Interconnected Startup Ecosystems – RAISE – project aims at developing a new and sustainable integrated support framework to foster startup growth and scale-up across Europe. It targets companies that have already achieved first results, possibly supported by regional programmes and are now aiming to grow. In this framework, the project partners are required to implement several pilot actions, among which there are training, mentoring, and networking sessions which will help startup promoters to get in contact with the appropriate mentors and trainers who can help them gain access to their target markets. 

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Outside of work, Lorenzo has a passion for football and vintage video games. His educational background includes MBA program at the University of Perugia and an specialization in quantitative finance at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. Lorenzo also spent six months at SRH Hochschule in Berlin, thanks to the Erasmus program.

How has been your path at META Group?
Initially, I began as an intern for six months, and eventually transitioned to a full-time employee. My initial role involved providing support for tasks related to the development of the company’s Intranet system. However, my responsibilities shifted towards the financial branch of the company, particularly focusing on META Ventures. I worked on the management of the startups and the portfolio companies within Italy. My focus was on supporting the different investment managers monitoring the startups. I continued this task for two years before becoming involved in a diverse range of projects across META Group.

However, my connection with the financial and funding aspects of the company remains strong. I continue to collaborate with funds and startups, particularly with an educational perspective in mind. Our goal is to support business initiatives seeking funding and provide them with the necessary tools and expertise to secure financial backing.

What do you do on a typical work day?
Typically, I handle one or two projects simultaneously, although it can vary depending on the period. My process begins by thoroughly reviewing all the tasks associated with each project and assessing their current status. The approach differs significantly depending on whether we’re acting as coordinators or not.

When we’re in a coordinating role, our responsibilities include continuous monitoring of all the partners involved. This often entails designing programs, which can be quite demanding. During project delivery phases, I’m responsible for organizing the execution process. Additionally, I frequently conduct one-on-one sessions, workshops, and project-related activities. After the projects are successfully completed, there’s a phase dedicated to reporting and evaluation.

Which projects are you currently involved in?
The main so far is Circular Invest where we are technical coordinator. It’s a matter of coordinating and monitoring other partner’s activities. Circular Invest is a project development assistant initiative. It is run under the umbrella of CCRI (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative). Circular Invest aims to support circular economy related projects in being more investors ready and closing the funding gap that they need. Now we are in the initial phase, meaning that in the past months we have worked on the design of the structure of this assistance. Our IT team at META Group has developed the platform, for example. In the meanwhile, we have opened a call for applications and right now we’re in the evaluation phase of the candidatures. From October, the deliver of the services will take place and we as META Group will coordinate the experts.

Another initiative that we have closed recently was the pitch academy that we run together with Business Angels Europe dedicated to Horizon Results Booster’s beneficiaries. These beneficiaries were selected by the European Commission to pitch their projects to a group of business angels, with a focus on technologies aimed at combatting cancer and addressing climate change. We conducted both one-on-one sessions and group workshops to enhance their pitching skills, and we were pleased to receive highly positive feedback from the participants.

Which is the most challenging part of your job?
The most challenging part is a matter always of flexibility. Being flexible is crucial for achieving all the objectives laid out in the project’s proposal. If you’re not open-minded enough to find the right path and to approach different perspectives, you’re not going to succeed. I believe that behind this flexibility, there’s a definite sense of curiosity, a willingness to keep an eye on developments in the field. If you’re not aware of what’s going on in the ecosystem, you’re not getting enough resources and you’re not able to realize how others are succeeding. So, it’s essential to grasp that there’s not just one path to your goals. Staying updated and discovering new methods of doing things is key.

What do you like the most about it?
I’d say freedom, meaning you’re not follow a scheme. Even when you have to work within a framework, there’s ample opportunity to discover innovative approaches to achieve your objectives. Also, I like seeing the impact that our efforts have on society or on specific goals set by the Commission.

What are some trends that you identify in your field?
In the field of training, it’s no longer just about providing content and teaching valuable skills. The competition is fierce, and those seeking training also expect connections through networking, guidance on achieving their goals, and practical advice. To be successful, you must address these aspects. This approach increases the likelihood of having satisfied startups who will speak highly of your training and recommend it to others. Therefore, nowadays is very important to be able to offer an external positive network effect and we always try to include it in our training services.

Could you share with us a nice METAmemory?
During my internship, or shortly afterward—I can’t recall the exact timing—in my first year at META Group, I was working closely with Anna Amati, one of my first mentors here. She assigned me to attend a conference in Southern Italy. I felt quite nervous because I was relatively new to the field. However, Anna reassured me, saying I only needed to share a few insights about our company’s experiences.

As I was talking with the event moderator just before it began, they unexpectedly introduced entirely different questions and topics for discussion that I hadn’t prepared for. It was a pretty stressful and tough moment. However, now I can smile about it and appreciate it as a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Check out other interviews with Anita Tregner, Lorenzo Barabani, Marco Franchin or Frédérique Pannier.

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The Pitch Clinic workshop is designed for early-stage knowledge-intensive startups looking for risk-capital investors. It covers key aspects such as sources of funding, approaching investors, and creating an appropriate pitch tailored to specific situations. The participants will have access to learning resources, including a hands-on session to present their pitch live in front of other startups and receive personalized feedback. 

“We want to unburden entrepreneurial researchers and innovators from the daunting trial and error process of designing and presenting the right pitch. The Pitch Clinic provides not just a set of tools and a proven framework but also the opportunity to develop and practice an effective pitch together with experts and peers in a real-life context,” said Lorenzo Valeriani, Senior Expert at META Group and one of the trainers. 

Learn how to build a successful pitch deck

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We have collected information from some of the best sources and reports to answer these questions in a short and informative way.

What Is a Megatrend? 

A megatrend is a trend with a significant impact on a global scale and with the potential to greatly influence our future. Megatrends can be defined as extensive patterns that are likely to shape the future of our world for the next 10 to 20 years and beyond. They are expected to impact multiple aspects of society, including economics, politics, technology, culture, and the environment. These trends have the potential to create new industries, reshape existing ones, and alter the way we live and work. 

Why Are Megatrends Important? 

Unlike short-term trends, megatrends form and span over multiple years. They can create significant opportunities and challenges for individuals, businesses, and governments, and it’s essential to understand them to prepare for the future.   

In research and innovation (R&I), megatrends can reveal emerging opportunities and challenges in particular sectors or at the level of society that have to be addressed. They can also inform about new funding sources and potential collaboration with new actors and stakeholders. 

Scientists and innovators can use megatrends to anticipate and plan for the future. By understanding the driving forces behind these trends, they can identify emerging technologies, industries, and markets, and develop innovative solutions to address the challenges that arise. For example, the megatrend of increasing urbanization has led to the development of smart cities, with new technologies and systems designed to improve transportation, energy efficiency, and public safety. 

Megatrends also provide a framework for collaboration across different sectors, allowing scientists and innovators to work together with policymakers, businesses, and other stakeholders to address complex challenges. By sharing knowledge and resources, they can accelerate the development of new technologies and strategies that can help to address the most pressing global issues. 

We have analyzed several reports and priorities and here are some of the main megatrends to consider for research and innovation. 

5 Megatrends to Understand What’s Next in Science & Innovation

#1 CLIMATE

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our times. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that human activities have caused approximately 1.0°C of global warming above pre-industrial levels. In the coming decades climate changes will increase in all regions. Some impacts may be long-lasting or irreversible, such as the loss of some ecosystems. For 1.5°C of global warming, there will be increasing heat waves, longer warm seasons and shorter cold seasons. At 2°C of global warming, heat extremes would more often reach critical tolerance thresholds for agriculture and health, the latest IPCC report shows.  

As a global phenomenon, climate change requires global effort but also regional, national, and individual commitment and action. This also means significant opportunities for R&I. 

R&I will play a central role in: 

• accelerating and navigating the necessary transitions 
• deploying, demonstrating and de-risking solutions 
• engaging citizens in social innovation 

The European Commission made €1 billion available under the Green Deal – the last and biggest call under Horizon 2020 and funded 73 projects to contribute to the EU’s response to the climate crisis and help protect Europe’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity. 

Scientists are fighting climate change on many battlefields. One of the most active is the energy sector led by the need to switch to more efficient and sustainable energy sources. But technology development is not the only field where researchers are looking for novel solutions. Adaptation to the effects of climate change also plays a critical role. The changes envisioned by the IPCC report require action, resilience and changes in the way people behave and live. One way to do it is by replacing our eating habits and identifying more sustainable patterns in agriculture and farming. 

RADIANT is a European project that promotes crop diversification, environmental and agrobiodiversity preservation, and fair economic development through the valorization of underutilized crops. It is carried out by researchers, farmers, value chain actors and consumers, developing solutions and tools that promote underutilized crops, agrobiodiversity, sustainable diets, and dynamic value chains.  In the last century, 75% of the genetic diversity of crops has been lost. There are about 259,000 plant species of which 50,000 are edible, with 150-200 actually consumed, and only three provide 60% of the calories and nutrition in the human diet (maize, rice and wheat).  RADIANT supports the EU Farm to Fork Strategy objectives to make the EU food system more robust and resilient to future crises like COVID-19, growing population demands and increasingly recurrent natural disasters such as floods or droughts. To achieve this, value chains must move towards becoming more biodiverse and resilient.

#2 SOCIETY 

In recent years, global population growth has been slowing down, but the world still faces a significant population. Although the average birth rate is decreasing, some countries like Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are experiencing growth. Moreover, people are living longer than ever before due to advancements in healthcare and technology. As a result, it is estimated that by 2030, 12% of the world’s population will be over 65 years old. This increase in longevity presents challenges and opportunities for societies worldwide. 

As older adults may require more healthcare and support services, more jobs may be generated. Additionally, they may bring valuable knowledge, skills, and experience to the workforce and society.  

However, the trend of decreasing fertility rates is also related to urbanization. The United Nations estimates that 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050, leading to the challenge of building smarter cities due to the significant energy resources and global emissions generated by cities. 

​Developing new solutions for aging populations AAL2Business was an initiative funded by AAL, a funding program that focuses on improving the quality of life for older individuals and promotes technological and innovative opportunities in the healthy aging field. They achieve this by providing funding for projects that aim to develop market-ready products and services for older people, with each project involving SMEs, research institutions, and end-user organizations. Since its establishment in 2008, AAL has supported more than 300 projects that address various concerns, including the management of chronic conditions, social inclusion, access to online services, mobility, daily activity management, and support for informal caregivers.

#3 TECHNOLOGY 

With technology evolving at an unprecedented pace, we are now more connected than ever before. Innovation in areas such as cities, mobility, energy, and economic growth is driving improvements that will affect all industries in almost every part of the world.  

Technology has the potential to revolutionize human life, and recent advancements in healthcare are the perfect example of this. From telemedicine to precision medicine and the development of artificial organs, technology has transformed healthcare and will continue to do so in the coming decades. 

​An example of ambitious initiatives in medicine is PHIRE. The team works on the first artificial intelligence-assisted theranostic approach (combination of therapy and diagnosis performed at the same time) for human bladder cancer lesions. PHIRE solution aims to overcome the limitations of the current clinical approaches for the management of human bladder cancer (BCa) lesions < 1mm, which are responsible for 40% of relapses of high-grade disease.   Other examples include OXiNEMS, which develops Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) from transition metal oxides to measure weak magnetic fields generated by brain activity, and ECLipse, focused on the design of a nanobiotechnological platform that will make pathogens detection more economical, faster, and efficient.

#4 ENERGY 

Energy production is currently the primary cause of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is the main contributor to climate change. According to ESPAS, energy consumption is projected to increase by 1.7% annually, resulting in a rise in oil, gas, and coal prices. This is correlated with more people living in cities and with climate change.  

However, there is an increasing awareness among the population, and several trends are emerging, such as the shift towards renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydro power. There is also an emphasis on energy storage to ensure a reliable and stable energy supply. 

The rush for sustainable and cheap renewable energy has accelerated in the last years. There are lots of EU funding possibilities in the energy sector and many ambitious projects aimed at decarbonizing the European industry and making Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels before 2030.  

​​One of them is ECO2Fuel. Funded under Horizon2020 (Green Deal), it brings together 15 international partners from the chemical, energy, hydrogen, mechanical engineering and automotive industry, and several research institutions set out to contribute to this goal by building the worldwide first CO2 conversion system to convert 742 tons of CO2 per year into economic and sustainable liquid e-fuels and chemicals.   “With the international consortium of ECO2Fuel from Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Greece, and the Netherlands, we will be driving the electromechanical carbon dioxide reduction towards commercialization in the coming five years, assuring the leading position of the EU in developing green technologies for a brighter future.” – says Dr. Schwan Hosseiny from DLR, the coordinator of the team.

#5 ECONOMY 

The global economy is expected to continue growing at a rate of 3% per year over the next decade, according to PwC. This growth will coincide with a rise in the middle class, with most of the world’s population being part of this group by 2030. The emergence of countries such as China, India, and Brazil as economic powerhouses will be a key factor in this trend, with urbanization and industrialization driving demand for resources and energy in these regions. 

Europe has taken several measures to deal with the economic megatrend affecting the region. Some of these measures include: 

• Investing in Innovation: Europe has been investing heavily in research and development to spur innovation and create new technologies. The European Union’s Horizon Europe program, for example, is investing over €100 billion in research and innovation. 
• Promoting Sustainability: Europe is taking steps to transition to a sustainable economy by promoting the use of renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing energy efficiency. The European Green Deal, for example, aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. 
• Supporting SMEs: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a vital part of Europe’s economy, and several measures have been taken to support them. These measures include providing access to finance, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating a favorable business environment. 
• Fostering Digitalization: Europe is embracing digitalization to increase productivity, improve efficiency, and create new business models. The European Union’s Digital Single Market strategy aims to create a seamless digital marketplace across the EU, promote the use of digital technologies, and support innovation. 
• Investing in Human Capital: Europe is investing in education and training to develop the skills needed to adapt to the megatrends. The EU’s Skills Agenda for Europe, for example, aims to improve the quality and relevance of education and training, promote lifelong learning, and support the mobility of workers. 

​One example of initiatives addressing many of these measures is CircularInvest. It helps circular economy projects across Europe become investment-ready and increase their chances to secure financial resources. CircularInvest services include tailor-made support to improve their circularity, develop a business plan (including IP and legal), and make circular economy projects more appealing to investors. The objective of this project is to promote economic growth in European regions and cities, as well as enhance opportunities for circular economy projects. These projects are expected to generate economic wealth and employment opportunities.

Data Sources

Main photo by Fábio Lucas on Unsplash

• DELOITTE – Tech Trends 2023
• PWC – The World in 2025
• EY – Are you reframing your future or is the future reframing you?
• BlackRock – Megatrends Insights on the forces shaping our future
• IPSOS – A New World Disorder? Navigating a Polycrisis
• REPORT ROLAND BERGER
• ESPAS – The Mega Trends
• World Economic Forum – Megatrends and their impact on the global investment landscape
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (1)
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2)
• United Nations
• Earth.org 

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EU-funded projects must guarantee the sustainability and use of research results

• Anita Tregner: Sharing best practices is key to create a more innovative Europe
• Antonello Fiorucci: We are moving from a solution-led to a problem-led approach

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The European population is ageing rapidly, a demographic trend that is impacting economies and societies. The most significant change is a decrease in the proportion of the working population while the number of retired people increases. But it is not just about shrinking labour supply and greater pressure on the public budgets for health care and pensions.  

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