ARCA is a consortium for the application of research and the creation of innovative enterprises, which has been active since 2003 and has exploited a partnership between the University of Palermo and a private entrepreneurial group committed to industrial research and technological transfer. In 2005 the Consortium started up the ARCA Incubator to promote and assist the generation of innovative business initiatives. The incubator is located within the University of Palermo campus, covering a total area of about 1,500 square meters and is built around a system of common spaces (coworking areas, a kitchen, a lounge area, printing facilities), units for businesses, offices, staff and meeting rooms, training classrooms and technological laboratories.

1.
CONSORZIO
ARCA
CONSORTIUM FOR THE APPLICATION OF RESEARCH
AND CREATION OF INNOVATIVE ENTERPRISES

2. Arca is a public-private
consortium established
in 2003 by:
• University of Palermo
• Easy Integrazione di Sistemi (a
private consulting company)
ABOUT US

3. WHAT WE DO
• Business incubation
• Technology transfer and
development of new
products for SME and
network enterprises
• Management of territorial
innovation linked to the
promotion of
entrepreneurial culture

4. METHODOLOGY
• Open Innovation-based approach to
link:
• innovators
• Startuppers
• Small and medium enterprises
(and networks)
• Large enterprises
• Hybrid methodology:
• Ideas scouting with a bottom-
up aproach
• Management of “pathfinder”
programs able to generate the
bases for the development of
competitive cluster start-up
based.
• international network
development.
• Care about social impact regionally.

5. ARCA IN FIGURES
over
500
business ideas
over
120
selected ideas
1
incubator
1500
square meters
over
50new business
ventures
over
250
new jobs
12
office spaces
1
fabbrica

6. DISCIPLINARY
CONTEST
2005-2016
Renewable energy and
sustainable constructions
Biotechnology MechatronicsTechonologies for the marine
environment and yachting
Cultural heritage
Biotechnology
Monitoring, GIS
remote sensing
Digital technologies

7. STARTUP

8. 2005-2016

9. THE INCUBATOR
Located inside the university
campus of Palermo
• 1.500 square meters
• 12 office modules
• Public area for meeting and
education
• Fabbrica: industrial
prototyping laboratory
• Solar laboratory “open air”

10. INDUSTRIAL
PROTOTYPING
LABORATORY
300 mq dedicated to the
development of new
products:
• simulation workstations
• 3D printing
• graphic
• mechanical construction
• creation of electronic cards
• testing of materials and equipment.
Networking with scientific laboratories
of the University and other research
institutions operating in the area.

11. SOLAR
LABORATORY
• 3.000 mq dedicated to
the testing of new
components and
systems.
• realized with a mix of
regional, national and
European financial
resources, will represent
an internationally node
testing.

12. CRE_ZI
creative business incubator
• Collaboration between ARCA and
the Department of Culture of the
City of Palermo.
• involvement of the team Catamiati,
promoting entrepreneurship
widespread in Palermo
• identification of a space suitable for
creating a hub for creative start-up
(former kitchens of Cantieri Culturali
alla Zisa)
• “soft” thematic areas: design, music,
culture, entertainment, food,
information technology,
communications, services and
social innovation ...

13. • from January 2011 ARCA is a partner of the
EEN – Enterprise Europe Network, funded
by the EC under the CIP framework
programme. EEN helps SMEs developing
business in new markets, sourcing or
licensing new technologies, accessing EU
finance and EU funding.
• ARCA is hosting TLL Sicily, the regional node
of ENoLL, the European Network of Living
Labs.
• ARCA has partnership agreements with VC
investors and cooperates with scouting
initiatives (Seedlab, Premio Marzotto, Talento
delle idee/Unicredit, SUI/Banca Intesa).
• ARCA is home to the Service Center of the
manufacturing district Meccatronica Sicilia
and promotor of Distretto ad Alta Tecnologia
dei Sistemi Avanzati di Manifattura (DISAM).
THE NETWORKS

14. SUCCESS STORY

15. Mosaicoon

16. WIB

17. Abiel

18. SBSkin

19. Panoptes

20. Thanks for the attention