Circular Bootcamp in Taranto, local companies and startups come together

Sharing experiences, discussing the circular economy, innovation and sustainability, and building synergies between local companies and startups: these were the objectives of the Circular Bootcamp organised by Joule for the second year running in the city of Taranto. The event took place on 3 October as part of the Re-Think Circular Economy Forum. The Bootcamp offered an important opportunity to contribute to the development of an innovation ecosystem in the Apulian city.  

Attendees at the initiative, hosted in the Ex-Baraccamenti Cattolica, included Mattia Voltaggio, Head of Joule, Michelangelo Di Luozzo, director of the Eni refinery in Taranto, and Domenica Surace, responsible for Joule for measurement and reporting. Domenica Surace explained: “The idea was born with the aim of talking about the circular economy and creating a moment for companies, SMEs and startups in the Joule ecosystem to come together. We believe it is an important opportunity to create value for the local area and to make the city of Taranto more and more a point of reference for innovation.” 

During the event, a panel discussion titled “Local ecosystems for innovation and sustainability” allowed a number of representatives of local organisations to talk about both the projects already carried out and future initiatives.Participants included:  Lavinia Carrese from the Faros accelerator of the National Network promoted by CDP Venture Capital, the first Italian accelerator dedicated to startups in the blue economy; Francesco Castellano, founder of Tondo, an organisation dedicated to the circular economy;  Lucia Minutello, vice president of Confindustria Taranto with responsibility for Research, Innovation and Equality issues; Feliciana Catino, head of the Innovation and Smart City service of the Municipality of Taranto and administrative manager of the Calliope project (House of Emerging Technologies of Taranto). 

The event ended with all those present participating in roundtable discussions. This allowed both the startups of the Joule ecosystem and local companies to talk about themselves and about their projects and activities. It provided a great networking opportunity, aimed at developing synergies and possible future collaborations. 

The startups of the Joule ecosystem present at the event were:

• Bi-rex, represented by Greta Colombo Dugoni and Monica Ferro;
• Pyrogas Engineering S.B., represented by Matteo Pizzuto;
• Regenstech, represented by Maria Silvia Pazzi;
• ReHouseit, represented by Nicolò Verardi
• 20energy, represented by Marco Krieziu;
• DockPower, represented by Davide Lorenzi;
• SEAform, represented by Alice;
• Wast3DShells, represented by Serena Lotto.