The new National Technology Transfer Hub brings together leading Italian research institutions to support the development of deep-tech ventures in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.
The Italian Institute of Artificial Intelligence (AI4I) is among the scientific promoters of SophIA, Italy’s new National Technology Transfer Hub dedicated to Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, announced on 23 September 2026 by CDP Venture Capital and developed in partnership with Scientifica Venture Capital.
From research to venture creation
SophIA is designed to strengthen the path from research to market by supporting the transformation of scientific results and advanced technologies into new deep-tech ventures. With an initial allocation of €27.5 million from CDP Venture Capital’s Tech Transfer Fund and Artificial Intelligence Fund, the Hub aims to support the creation and growth of more than 20 initiatives at proof-of-concept, pre-seed and seed stages over the next three years.
Alongside AI4I, SophIA’s scientific promoters are the University of Naples Federico II, Politecnico di Milano, Fondazione Bruno Kessler and the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT). The model brings together research, technological expertise and capital, supporting technologies along the path from the laboratory to industrial development and venture creation.
The technologies behind SophIA
SophIA’s scientific and technological scope spans foundation models, advanced architectures and multimodal models, intelligent agents, autonomous and collaborative robotics, digital twins, edge computing, emerging hardware and high-performance computing infrastructure. Application areas include process automation and the design of materials and pharmaceuticals.
AI4I’s contribution
For AI4I, participation in SophIA is directly aligned with the Institute’s mission to connect advanced research, engineering capabilities, computing infrastructure and industry, creating the conditions for scientific results to develop into technologies, applications and new entrepreneurial ventures.
“Technology transfer is one of the decisive steps in transforming scientific excellence into industrial innovation and new entrepreneurship. Initiatives such as SophIA help strengthen this pipeline, creating a structured bridge between advanced research, technological development and the creation of deep-tech companies. AI4I’s participation in this initiative is part of a broader vision: connecting scientific expertise, computing infrastructure and engineering capabilities to foster the development of advanced applications and new entrepreneurial ventures. Strengthening the dialogue between universities, research centres, investors and industry is now a key factor in consolidating Italy’s role in the new technological cycles of artificial intelligence,” said Fabio Pammolli, President of AI4I.
AI4I’s participation in SophIA strengthens its role within a national network bringing together research, engineering, technology transfer, capital and industry, with the aim of increasing Italy’s capacity to turn scientific knowledge into innovation and new businesses.
