BIAT - Innovation and High Technology Lab, funded under the Cohesion Action Plan of Italy’s Economic Development Ministry, is an initiative designed to enable enterprises and research systems of southern Italy in particular, the regions of Abruzzo, Molise, Sardinia, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Apulia and Sicily -  to express their full potential for innovation and excellence. The event is organised by the Italian Trade Agency in collaboration with the partnering Regional Governments.

BIAT aims to promote the placing on the market and/or the transfer of innovative products and services or high technology and intangible assets (patents in particular) by matching commercial and technology supply and demand between startups, innovative SMEs, business networks, universities, technology parks and foreign counterparts. 
The event is divided into 3 distinct phases: 

collection of project proposals that can be applied to commercial, industrial, and technological enterprises of the South Italy Regions.

identification of foreign counterparts through an online matchmaking system that will allow foreign companies to consult the summaries of proposed projects and select those of interest.

carrying out meetings between Italian and foreign counterparts. 

The sectors involved include biotechnology, green economy (circular economy, renewable energy, environment), ICT, innovative materials, nanotechnologies,and  technologies for smart cities.

The 2021 edition of BIAT will be held from September 22 to 24 in Taormina, Sicily.  Almost 100 Italian startups signed to meet with the international delegates from various countries including: Austria, Belgium, China, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, India, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. 
Machines Italia and the Italian Trade Commission - ITA will invite selected manufacturing and tech companies, venture capitals and angel investors from Canada and the US to attend the in-person event.   Travel and hotel costs will be covered by Machines Italia.

For further information on BIAT 2021 and how to be part of the Machines Italia and Italian Trade Commission delegation please visit www.biat-ita.it or contact toronto [at] ice.it (subject: Machines%20Italia%20Newsletter)   or chicago [at] ice.it ?subject=Machines%20Italia%20Newsletter">chicago [at] ice.it