Client: Würth Italia
Duration: 2 months

Context
Würth Italia, a leading distributor of products and services for professionals, was exploring new opportunities to strengthen its industrial offering through innovative technologies.

The Challenge
In a fast-evolving and highly fragmented landscape, identifying the right innovation partners and solutions can be complex and resource-intensive.

Our Contribution
We supported Würth Italia in navigating the technology landscape, helping identify relevant innovation opportunities and facilitating connections with selected players aligned with their strategic priorities.

Outcome

• Increased visibility on emerging technologies and market trends
• Access to a curated set of innovation opportunities
• Activation of initial connections with selected solution providers

Why it matters
Accessing the right technologies is about identifying what truly fits and turning it into concrete opportunities. We help organisations cut through complexity and connect with the right innovation partners.

From Assessment to Proof of Concept

Client: Mid-sized manufacturing company - Textile sector
Duration: 4 months

Context
Within its production line, the company relied on a manual glueing workstation. This process exposed operators to chemical substances and repetitive movements, creating both safety concerns and operational inefficiencies.

Automation was identified as a strategic priority to enhance workplace safety while improving productivity and process reliability.

The Challenge

• Identify the most suitable automation solution for a critical workstation
• Validate the technology in a real production environment
• Define a clear and scalable roadmap for broader factory implementation

Our Approach
We supported the client through a structured, end-to-end process:

• Operational assessment of the glueing workstation and process requirements
• Targeted technology scouting to identify high-fit solution providers
• End-to-end PoC management, coordinating implementation with the selected partner
• Scalability roadmap design to enable factory-wide automation

Results

• Successful Proof of Concept, validated in an operational setting
• Scalable automation roadmap aligned with the client’s production strategy
• Clear path to industrial deployment, reducing risk and accelerating decision-making

Impact
The project enabled the client to transition from a manual, risk-prone process to a validated automation pathway, laying the foundations for safer operations, improved efficiency, and long-term competitiveness.

Client: SME in electronic components manufacturing
Duration: 2 months

Context
An SME in the electronic components sector was exploring automating its production line. The project involved an international university research group as the solution provider, requiring coordination between two organisations with very different dynamics and timelines.

The challenge
To manage the integration between the operational needs of the manufacturing client and the technological capabilities of the research group, keeping the project on schedule and ensuring concrete on-site validation.

The approach

• Initial alignment between client and researchers on objectives, timelines and expectations
• Definition of project governance and roles
• Ongoing operational coordination between the two parties
• Management of critical issues and facilitation of decision-making throughout the PoC

Results

• PoC launched and moving towards adoption within the planned timeframe (2 months)
• Effective collaboration established between the industrial client and the research group

Client: International Private Equity Fund

Period: 1 month

Context
A leading Private Equity fund (with over €10 billion in AUM) was seeking European SMEs with strong technological momentum to grow one of its portfolio companies through an acquisition.

The challenge
To identify SMEs producing advanced technologies in the fields of digital printing, marking systems or computer vision, which, in addition to strong technological expertise, met specific financial and income requirements to qualify as acquisition targets.

The approach

• Definition of scouting criteria (technological and financial) in collaboration with the client
• Mapping of European SMEs meeting the technological requirements
• Analysis of patent portfolio, technological assets, corporate structure and financial statements
• Preparation of a shortlist and estimation of the target acquisition price

Results
Shortlist of 10 target SMEs with which to initiate initial acquisition discussions.