CONFINDUSTRIA TOSCANA

Their core work

Confindustria Toscana is the Tuscan regional branch of Italy's main employers' federation, acting as a key node in the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). They provide structured innovation support services to SMEs — including innovation management assessments, key account management (KAM), coaching, and internationalization support. Their H2020 involvement centers on helping Tuscan businesses access EU funding instruments (SME Instrument, EIC) and adopt formal innovation management standards (CEN/TS 16555). More recently, they expanded into photonics technology support through the PhotonHub Europe digital innovation hub.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their early work (2014-2016) focused on basic EEN services — technology transfer, internationalization, and initial SME innovation assessments through SCRIpT and the first I-KAM2EU. From 2017 onward, they formalized their approach by adopting the CEN/TS 16555 innovation management standard, adding structured client journey methodologies and EIMC (European Innovation Management Certificate) tools. Their most recent shift (2021) moves beyond pure advisory services into sector-specific deep tech support through PhotonHub Europe, signaling a transition from generalist innovation brokering toward technology-focused digital innovation hub activities.

Moving from generalist SME advisory toward sector-specific digital innovation hub services, with photonics as their first deep-tech vertical.

How they like to work

Always a participant, never a coordinator — consistent with their role as a regional industry association contributing local SME access and innovation support capacity to larger European consortia. With 91 unique partners across 17 countries, they maintain a broad but EEN-anchored network. The repeated I-KAM2EU participation (4 rounds) shows strong loyalty to proven partnerships, making them a reliable long-term consortium member rather than a one-off contributor.

Broad European network spanning 91 unique partners across 17 countries, built primarily through EEN consortium activities. Their network is strongest in EU member states with active EEN nodes, giving them reach into regional SME ecosystems across Europe.

What sets them apart

As Tuscany's main employers' federation, they offer direct access to one of Italy's strongest industrial SME ecosystems — from leather goods and fashion to precision mechanics and life sciences. Unlike consultancies or research institutes, they represent the businesses themselves, meaning they can mobilize real companies for pilots, testing, and market validation. For any consortium needing an Italian regional industry gateway with proven EEN methodology, they are a natural fit.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PhotonHub Europe
  Their largest project (EUR 101,875) and a strategic pivot — a pan-European one-stop-shop for photonics innovation support running until 2026, marking their entry into deep-tech sector-specific services.
• I-KAM2EU
  Rare continuity — four consecutive funding rounds (2015-2021) refining the same SME innovation assessment methodology, demonstrating sustained commitment and iterative improvement in KAM services.