Transforming Milan into one of Europe’s leading tech hubs, establishing an open environment where scientists, companies and startups can collaborate and grow together.

A non-profit foundation promoted by its founding members Fondazione Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi University, ION and FSI, the Tech Europe Foundation (TEF) has been established in Milan. TEF’s goal is to create an ecosystem that fosters collaboration between academic research, companies and startups, integrating entrepreneurial development with scientific innovation.

The project represents a virtuous example of public-private collaboration, with the aim of transforming Milan into one of Europe’s leading tech hubs. TEF focuses on fundamental research and creating a critical mass of new companies in the deep tech sector, based on scientific discoveries and technological innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, microelectronics, aerospace and renewable energy.

The project will be based at Parco dei Gasometri in Milan’s Bovisa district, undergoing an important urban regeneration designed by Renzo Piano. When fully operational, 1,000 startups will be hosted annually. TEF has an initial fund of more than €100 million and has already launched a fundraising campaign. The Chamber of Commerce of Milano Monza Brianza Lodi has already contributed €50 million, and the goal is to raise additional funds to reach €1 billion by 2030.

Ferruccio Resta (Politecnico) and Alberto Grando (Bocconi) will be TEF’s President and Vice President respectively for the next three years, leveraging the expertise and labs of the two founding universities. The Foundation will operate according to three main pillars: funding basic research, scouting and supporting startups, and open innovation services for companies.

“The future of European innovation depends on the ability to invest in the talents of our young people and their vision. The ultimate goal of the Tech Europe Foundation is to equip our country with an infrastructure capable of helping new generations of young entrepreneurs who strive to transform scientific research and technological innovation into business,” said Ferruccio Resta, President of the TEF Foundation. “Our goals are clear: 1,000 startups hosted annually and €1 billion to transform research and innovative ideas into tech companies. TEF is an open and inclusive entity, a vibrant ecosystem, which today is aimed at anyone who aspires to believe in the future of Italy and feels a responsibility and passion to contribute, improving the country so that it can become a leading player in technological innovation.”