e-Novia is the Enterprises Factory that transforms research into products, researchers into entrepreneurs and start-ups into global enterprises. The Factory was born in Milan, in 2015, and has shaped an ecosystem that combines the excellence of the manufacturing industry with the best European scientific competencies in the field of electronics, robotics, mechanics, and vehicular mobility, among others. e-Novia merges digital powers with the physical nature of hardware and equips prototypes with a solid service platform that enables the development and growth of the new enterprise. The Enterprises Factory boasts a framework of shareholders and investors that represent the scientific practice, and the entrepreneurship and management of the Italian and international industrial base. It is repeatedly quoted in the top rankings of the fastest growing companies in Italy and Europe.
- What are you most excited about for 2020?
We had a great start for 2020 with € 8 million raised in an equity crowdfunding campaign sponsored by Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking. It was the largest equity crowdfunding campaign ever carried out in Italy and among the majors in Europe. This is only the beginning, as this year we expect the creation of new Enterprises changing the ecosystem which we live in, in three core fields; Collaborative Mobility, Humanized Machines and Augmented Humans. This year promises to be full of challenges, as we will work hard on the internationalization and expansion of our business portfolio in order to seek out possibilities of listing on the Stock Exchange. - What do you see as a major challenge in the cycling industry and how can CIE play a role in overcoming that challenge?
The cycling sector is growing rapidly, and an increasing number of technologies used in the automotive world, such as ABS, Automated Gear, and Adaptive Suspension, can be adopted also in the bicycles sector. The adoption of such technologies will significantly increase safety, comfort, stability and performance for cyclists. Therefore, the major challenge currently is to exploit the potential of these technologies and change people’s habits, promoting a switch from cars to bikes for a better impact on the environment and society. CIE has a fundamental role in accelerating this process of mobility transformation, thanks to its important role that goes from creating connections among the various stakeholders of the sector to attracting the interest of the European Institutions to foster and promote cycling mobility. - What/who in the cycling industry inspires you?
Our greatest inspiration in this sector is to provide innovation and new technologies aimed at ensuring safety and efficiency for people using bicycles both for sports and commuting. Thanks to technology, our purpose is to transform bikes into vehicles that are able to replace cars, therefore encouraging people to be sustainable and healthy. It will be a great opportunity for us to contribute to a sustainable development of society, improving cycling mobility with our technologies and motivating citizens to make use of it. - Describe in 5 words how cycling is saving the world?
Cycling can change cultural attitudes by triggering a virtuous chain of processes. In other words, sustainability does not only mean reducing emissions and having a positive impact on the environment, but also creating an ecosystem of well-being in which people are healthier and happier. Considering the individual wellness, for instance, everybody knows that more and more people are suffering from stress-related problems and research shows how cycling can reduce levels of cortisol (stress hormones) in the body. Bicycles are a way to make the right choice for the environment, keep fit and spend less time in traffic.