Research Gateway returns for its second edition: Veolia’s bridge between scientific research and industry to accelerate the energy transition in Italy

The energy transition and decarbonisation call for scientific innovation that is ready for the real world, scalable solutions and collaboration between research and industry. The technologies and expertise emerging from research offer concrete opportunities to improve energy efficiency and develop new sustainable business models. This is especially true when they are combined with entrepreneurial skills and can rely on the availability of real systems and facilities, which are essential for industrial validation.

In the first edition, Veolia selected 10 research projects, giving them the opportunity to build a strong network of relationships with entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors and Venture Capital firms, as well as to explore the development of pilot projects. Now Veolia in Italy is launching the new edition of Research Gateway, with the aim of connecting the research community with the expertise, assets and innovation needs of a major industrial group operating in environmental and energy services.

The call is open to research projects, technologies and innovative prototypes with potential applications in the following areas:

energy efficiency;
smart management of buildings and infrastructure;
energy storage and resilience;
improvement of indoor environmental conditions.

The programme is run in collaboration with the Circular Economy Lab, an initiative of Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Factory Plus.

VEOLIA

Veolia, the world leader in environmental services, is committed to ensuring ecological security for the benefit of public health and the competitiveness of industries and communities. With 215,000 employees across five continents, the group reduces pollution and carbon emissions and regenerates resources through concrete, complementary solutions in water, waste management – including hazardous waste – and local energy.

Present in Italy for over 100 years, Veolia supports public and private clients on their decarbonisation journey through integrated energy efficiency measures and local renewable energy generation.

Scouting

Research Gateway is aimed primarily at researchers, university research groups and Italian research centres with innovative projects and prototypes in the fields of energy efficiency and decarbonisation and smart buildings.

AREAS OF INTEREST

Energy efficiency, flexibility and decarbonisation technologies

Energy optimisation: solutions to optimise the energy consumption of components and equipment such as boilers, chillers and heat pumps
AI for energy management: AI- and machine learning-based control systems that automatically optimise energy consumption and plant operation
IoT monitoring and predictive maintenance: IoT solutions for monitoring multi-site infrastructure, preventing failures and improving asset efficiency and service life
Innovative energy storage systems: electrical and/or thermal storage based on safe, efficient materials with a reduced environmental impact

Smart buildings and management of complex systems

Smart building automation and control: BACS (Building Automation and Control Systems) acting on HVAC, lighting and security to maximise energy efficiency and comfort
Remote reading and digitalisation of gas meters: innovative, non-invasive solutions for remote meter reading
Smart, connected lighting: adaptive systems that reduce consumption and enable remote monitoring and control
Indoor environmental quality and comfort: technologies to monitor and improve air quality, humidity, lighting and noise in buildings
Energy continuity and microgrids: high-capacity backup systems and microgrids to ensure the operational continuity of industrial sites in the event of grid outages

Selection and Demo Day

Applications to Research Gateway must be submitted no later than 4 December 2026.

Following an initial phase of application screening and one-to-one interviews, the 10 projects with the greatest potential will be selected. They will take part in the acceleration programme and the Demo Day, to be held in May 2027 at Veolia’s headquarters in Paris.

On this occasion, the finalist teams will present their projects to the heads of Veolia’s Business Units, technical leads and Top Management.

The event gives participants the opportunity to present their project idea or technology solution to Veolia’s management teams. The aim is to foster industrial and commercial partnerships and to identify potential investors and partners to support the scaling phase.

Awards, Opportunities & Project Developments

The 10 selected teams will move on to the next phases of the programme, focused on developing strategic partnerships with the Veolia Group.

Taking part in Research Gateway is not just about accessing an opportunity: it means joining a real-world environment for experimentation, growth and impact.

Specifically, the programme offers the selected teams:

In preparation for the Demo Day, participation in a training, acceleration and scale-up support programme promoted by Veolia, in collaboration with qualified partners and industry experts.
The opportunity to develop Proof of Concept (PoC) and pilot tests within Veolia’s industrial ecosystem, to verify the effectiveness of solutions in real-world settings and at commercial scale.
Access to investment opportunities, both direct and indirect, through the qualified network of investors and industrial partners involved in the programme.
Access to an international Master’s programme: one of the selected teams will be chosen by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to attend the Master in Circular Economy, Strategy & Sustainability run by the University of Exeter, thanks to its partnership with the Foundation.

PHASES AND TIMELINE

16 October – 4 December 2026 | Scouting and collection of applications
December 2026 – January 2027 | Assessment and one-to-one interviews
By January 2027 | Selection of the 10 finalist projects
March – May 2027 | Training and acceleration programme
May 2027 | Demo Day at Veolia HQ, Paris

Promoter and Partner