Turin named European Capital of Innovation 2024 at the Web Summit in Lisbon
Turin has been awarded the title of European Capital of Innovation (iCapital) 2024, surpassing Espoo (Finland) and West Midlands (UK). The announcement was made yesterday during the Web Summit in Lisbon, one of the most significant global events in the field of innovation. The award was presented to Mayor Stefano Lo Russo by the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova.
The iCapital Award, established by the European Union ten years ago, is given to cities that have built inclusive innovation ecosystems capable of connecting citizens, universities, businesses, and public institutions to improve social well-being. The aim is to celebrate cities that embed innovation into their urban fabric, adopting strategies that range from sustainability to digital transformation, with a focus on inclusivity and social impact.
The jury awarded Turin 1 million euros to further support its innovation journey.
The recognition was granted to Turin due to initiatives such as Torino City Lab, a platform that since 2018 has allowed the testing of urban technologies in real-life conditions, and the House of Emerging Technologies (CTE Next), launched in 2021 to strengthen the local ecosystem with projects related to smart mobility, smart living, sustainability, space economy, and more.
Torino Social Impact has played a key role in showcasing the city’s potential in the field of social innovation, creating a collaborative ecosystem aimed at generating a positive social impact in the area.
Torino City Lab, Torino Social Impact, and CTE NEXT are initiatives that Fondazione Piemonte Innova has been connected to since their inception and continues to partner with through numerous ongoing collaborations.
“As Fondazione Piemonte Innova, we are truly excited and increasingly proud to stand alongside the City of Turin – our founder – in numerous projects where innovation means: alliances and partnerships to build a fairer and more sustainable present and future, also thanks to technology and digital transformation,” said Massimiliano Cipolletta, President of Fondazione Piemonte Innova.
Fondazione Piemonte Innova was present in Lisbon to support the nomination, alongside other local ecosystem representatives, including the University of Turin, the Polytechnic University of Turin, the Chamber of Commerce, Torino Social Impact, and the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation.
The iCapital recognition confirms Turin as a European innovation hub, following in the footsteps of cities such as Barcelona, Paris, and Lisbon, which have received the title in previous years. This victory not only celebrates the city’s successes but also serves as an incentive to continue investing in innovative projects that combine technology, sustainability, and inclusivity.
Congratulations again to Turin and its vibrant ecosystem!
