A delegation of five high-potential Tunisian startups recently concluded a strategic roadshow in Italy, showcasing Tunisia’s growing innovation ecosystem to institutional partners, corporations, and investors.
The “A Bridge to Tunisia” roadshow was organized by the Italian energy grid leader Terna, in collaboration with innovation platform Mind the Bridge, Italian innovation school Elis, and tech giant Microsoft. The event is a core initiative of the Global Scaleup Program within Terna’s newly established Innovation Zone in Tunis.
The selected startups—Asteroidea, Be Wireless Solutions, Kamioun, Kumulus Water, and NextAV—presented their projects in Rome and Turin. Operating in pivotal sectors like renewable energy, sustainability, and digitalization, they exemplify the dynamism of Tunisia’s entrepreneurial landscape, according to statements from the Italian Embassy in Tunisia.
“The roadshow provided a crucial platform to seek new partnerships and attract the investment necessary for our growth and international expansion,” noted one participant.
Strategic Alignment with Broader Cooperation Goals
This initiative aligns with the spirit of the Italian government’s “Mattei Plan” for Africa, which advocates for strengthened, equal-footing cooperation between Italy and African nations. Through the Terna Innovation Zone in Tunis, the “Italian System” is actively promoting the development of Tunisian startups, facilitating their access to international markets.
“The program acts as a true bridge between our two countries,” said a Terna representative, “fostering skill exchange and the emergence of innovative solutions with global impact.”
The Tunis-based Innovation Zone functions as a specialized training lab and open-innovation hub, granting startups access to Terna’s global network and technical expertise. Its activities focus on training engineers and technicians, in collaboration with local universities, to foster a new generation of energy sector professionals.
Energy Transition: From Startup Innovation to Physical Interconnection
The roadshow and innovation programs are directly linked to larger bilateral infrastructure projects. Most notably, they connect to the strategic ELMED project—the first direct-current electrical interconnection between Europe and Africa.
ELMED, a joint project by Terna and Tunisia’s STEG, will feature a 200-kilometer submarine cable linking the two countries. This “energy bridge” is designed to enhance grid integration of renewable power, improve supply security, and advance decarbonization goals.
“The success of this roadshow underscores how innovation, collaboration, and major sustainable infrastructure can go hand-in-hand,” the Terna representative added, “paving the way for shared economic and technological development.”
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
