National Biodiversity Future Center

What National Biodiversity Future Center does

The National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) is Italy's national research center for biodiversity, established in 2022 under the Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR) / NextGenerationEU as one of five National Centers for frontier research. It operates as a consortium (Scarl) governed by a President (Luigi Fiorentino), Director General (Riccardo Coratella), and Scientific Director (Massimo Labra), with an IP Board chaired by Massimo Sterpi. The center coordinates a Hub & Spoke model spanning 6 thematic Spokes (marine, terrestrial/freshwater, urban biodiversity) and 2 cross-cutting Spokes (communication, innovation), engaging over 600 researchers across 40+ partner institutions including CNR, Politecnico di Milano, University of Palermo, and Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn.

NBFC's core outputs are knowledge and technology assets rather than commercial products. Its technology stack includes the Biodiversity Digital Platform (FAIR-compliant data infrastructure, supercomputing via CINECA), the Biodiversity Gateway (virtual portal and physical hubs in Palermo and Venice), and proprietary research tools spanning eDNA-based biodiversity monitoring, machine learning prediction models for ecosystem restoration, biosensors for early pollutant detection, computer vision/deep learning for species identification, and a Nature-based Solutions catalogue. Documented deliverables include the 'Custodi' volume (75 protected-area projects), the 'Nuove Dimensioni' volume on SME innovations, the Urban Nature Plans Guidelines, and the I Feel Food educational program (reaching 650+ students across 6 Italian cities).

NBFC does not generate commercial revenue. Its funding derives entirely from PNRR, distributed internally to research programs and externally via cascading competitive grant calls (bandi a cascata) — for example, a €2.2M Mezzogiorno-focused call. Spoke 8 has channeled approximately €30 million into 120+ R&D and innovation projects for Italian SMEs and Protected Areas. Customer-facing beneficiaries include SMEs (startup/enterprise segments), universities and research institutions, protected areas, Italian municipalities, and schools — all engaged through grants, partnerships, and educational programs rather than paid commercial offerings. Distribution is anchored by the virtual Biodiversity Gateway portal, physical hubs in Palermo and Venice, monthly newsletters, a Delos-managed press office, and active social media presence.

Name

National Biodiversity Future Center

Legal name

National Biodiversity Future Center

Website

https://nbfc.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

NBFC is Italy's national biodiversity research center, established in 2022 under PNRR/NextGenerationEU, coordinating 40+ partner institutions and 600+ researchers through a Hub & Spoke model to advance monitoring, conservation, restoration, and valorization of biodiversity across marine, terrestrial, and urban ecosystems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biodiversity Research Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) / No Net Loss Planning & Metrics (EUAHAHAJ)

Keywords

• Biodiversity research
• Ecosystem monitoring
• Nature conservation
• Biodiversity restoration
• Innovation transfer

Headquarters

HQ city

Palermo

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. PNRR Public Research Funding: NBFC is funded by the Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza (PNRR) under Mission 4 'Istruzione e Ricerca', Component 2 'Dalla Ricerca all'Impresa', Investment 1.4 'Potenziamento strutture di ricerca e creazione di Campioni Nazionali di R&S'. The center operates as a public research consortium without a commercial revenue model. It distributes cascading grants to external organizations and generates value through knowledge transfer, innovation support, and ecosystem services.
2. Innovation Support and Technology Transfer: NBFC supports over 120 R&D and innovation projects for SMEs and Protected Areas across Italy (approx. €30 million). The center promotes innovation through the Biodiversity Gateway (both virtual and physical), supporting the development of start-ups and green jobs, with activities spanning industrial supply chains, nursery sector, fishing, aquaculture, and bioactive compound production.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NBFC is Italy's national research center for biodiversity, structured around a Hub & Spoke model with 6 thematic Spokes (marine, terrestrial/wetlands, urban) and 2 cross-cutting Spokes (communication, innovation). It conducts biodiversity monitoring, conservation, restoration, and valorization research using advanced tools (eDNA monitoring, AI/ML prediction models, biosensors, computer vision), and transfers knowledge and innovation to Italian SMEs, protected areas, universities, and public administrations through competitive cascading grant calls and the Biodiversity Gateway platform.

Product overview

National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC) is Italy's national research center for biodiversity, structured as a Hub&Spoke model with 8 thematic spokes covering marine, terrestrial, freshwater, urban biodiversity, health/One Health approach, communication, and innovation. NBFC operates as a research and innovation ecosystem rather than a product company, offering the Biodiversity Gateway platform for research-to-society knowledge transfer, the I Feel Food educational program for schools, and publishing guidelines (Urban Nature Plans Guidelines) and research volumes (Custodi, Nuove Dimensioni). The center focuses on monitoring, conservation, restoration, and valorization of biodiversity through interdisciplinary collaboration with universities, research institutions, and businesses across Italy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Biodiversity Gateway: A virtual and physical platform serving as Italy's first biodiversity portal where scientific research meets businesses, public administrations, and citizens.
• I Feel Food

Products and services

• Biodiversity Gateway A national biodiversity portal (both virtual and physical) where scientific research meets businesses, public administrations, experts, and the general public. The Gateway transfers research and innovation results into tangible value for citizens, innovators, and institutions, and serves as the primary knowledge transfer hub for NBFC's research outputs.
• I Feel Food

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 120 R&D and innovation projects funded for SMEs and Protected Areas totaling approximately €30 million
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022CNR is the leading research institution in NBFC's Hub & Spoke model. CNR leads the coordination of 75 innovative projects in protected areas documented in the 'Custodi' volume, hosts the National Biodiversity Forum events, and partners with NBFC for the Biodiversity Gateway and Marevivo initiatives.
• Chinese Academy of SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBFC maintains a partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences for joint research projects in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem protection. The collaboration includes joint Italy-China research project calls and the Sino-Italian Conference on Biodiversity (3rd edition held in Naples). A Summer School took place in Beijing and Shanghai in June-July 2025.
• Politecnico di MilanocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolitecnico di Milano collaborated with Scuola Sant'Anna on the 'Osservatorio Innovazione per la Biodiversità' report, and its Dipartimento di Architettura e Studi Urbani (DAStU) researchers co-developed NBFC's 'Linee guida per i Piani urbani della natura' (Urban Nature Plans Guidelines).
• Bio4DreamscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBFC has entered into Bio4Dreams (incubator/accelerator for early-stage Life Sciences startups) and launched a dialogue on biodiversity innovation. NBFC seeks a Biodiversity Ecosystem Coordinator for Bio4Dreams' Biodiversity Unit, and both entities collaborate on events such as 'Biodiversità in azione – Innovazione, impatto e nuove alleanze per il futuro' held May 14, 2026 at Bio4Dreams HQ @ MIND.
• Stazione Zoologica Anton DohrncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (National Institute for Marine Biology) is a key partner in NBFC's marine biodiversity research, participating in Spoke 2 activities and represented at NBFC events by President Roberto Bassi.
• Fondazione MarevivocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFondazione Marevivo collaborates with NBFC and CNR on World Biodiversity Day events, including delivery of the 'Carta per la tutela della biodiversità marina' to President Sergio Mattarella at Castelporziano. Marevivo partners on the 'Centro della Biodiversità fluviale e urbana' within NBFC's Biodiversity Gateway.
• Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari e di Perfezionamento Sant'AnnacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScuola Sant'Anna collaborated with Politecnico di Milano on the 'Osservatorio Innovazione per la Biodiversità' report supported by NBFC, focusing on corporate strategies and entrepreneurial solutions for ecosystem protection.
• CINECAcoreTechnology or IntegrationCINECA serves as NBFC's supercomputing and digital infrastructure partner, supporting the digital platform, data management, and FAIR data standards implementation for biodiversity research.
• Shanghai Advanced Research Institute (SARI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnder the MoU with NBFC, SARI supports 25 scholarships for Italian students to attend the Summer School on Biodiversity in China, funded by PNRR, with the third edition planned for Naples.
• European Commission / JRC / OECDmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAt the European level, Spoke 8 collaborates with actors involved in biodiversity research and enhancement including the JRC (Joint Research Centre) and OECD. NBFC aligns its activities with EU frameworks including the Nature Restoration Law and EU Biodiversity Strategy.
• ENIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerENI is listed as an NBFC project partner, collaborating on biodiversity research and innovation initiatives within the NBFC ecosystem.
• Novamont SpAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNovamont SpA is listed as an NBFC project partner, contributing to biodiversity-related innovation in the bioeconomy sector.
• Aboca SPA Società AgricolaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAboca SPA Società Agricola is listed as an NBFC project partner, contributing to research on plant biodiversity and natural product valorization.
• Dompé farmaceuticiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDompé farmaceutici is listed as an NBFC project partner, contributing to pharmaceutical research related to biodiversity-derived compounds.
• Greenman Group / Irish National Biodiversity Data CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZinto Labs, funded by Greenman Group and supported by the Irish National Biodiversity Data Centre, launched an eDNA-based invasive aquatic species detection trial. While not a direct NBFC partner, Zinto Labs represents a related initiative in the European biodiversity innovation ecosystem.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT: Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT is a CGIAR research center delivering scientific evidence on agricultural biodiversity and nature-based solutions. It is a direct peer to NBFC in scope, covering biodiversity conservation, food-system linkages, and policy support globally.
• National Biodiversity Network (NBN): NBN is the UK's national biodiversity data partnership linking recording schemes, conservation organizations and government. It is directly comparable to NBFC in operating a national biodiversity data network, partnering with protected areas, and supporting evidence-based conservation decisions.
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): GBIF is an intergovernmental network providing open access biodiversity data worldwide. It is a direct peer to NBFC's Biodiversity Digital Platform given its role as a global aggregator of biodiversity occurrence data and the analogous data-infrastructure mandate.
• ISPRA (Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research): ISPRA is Italy's national environmental agency responsible for monitoring, research and reporting on the state of the environment. It is directly comparable to NBFC given its overlapping Italian public mandate in environmental monitoring, ecosystem assessment, and policy support for biodiversity.
• LifeWatch ERIC: LifeWatch ERIC is the European e-infrastructure for biodiversity and ecosystem research, operating distributed data services across member states. It mirrors NBFC's mission of building national/European biodiversity data infrastructure, including the Biodiversity Gateway, with comparable FAIR-data and observation-network orientation.
• UNEP-WCMC (World Conservation Monitoring Centre): UNEP-WCMC is a UN-affiliated centre that provides biodiversity-related scientific data, policy advice and indicators to governments and conventions. It is a direct peer to NBFC given its role as a biodiversity knowledge/data intermediary supporting international policy frameworks.
• German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv): iDiv is Germany's national biodiversity research center, structured around a Hub model integrating universities and research institutes. It is directly comparable to NBFC as a publicly funded, multi-institutional national center running frontier biodiversity research with hub-and-spoke governance.

Broad incumbents

• Senckenberg Nature Research Society: Senckenberg is a large German research society conducting integrated biodiversity and Earth-system research across museums, institutes and field stations. It is a broad-incumbent peer given its much larger, established footprint in biodiversity science relative to NBFC's national-center scope.

Emerging players

• CMCC - Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici: CMCC is an Italian research consortium on climate change funded under PNRR with a similar Hub & Spoke, multi-institutional structure. It is an emerging-player peer to NBFC given its parallel Italian public-funding model and cross-cutting impact on biodiversity-relevant climate research.

Regional players

• Kunming Institute of Zoology (CAS): KIZ is the Chinese Academy of Sciences' lead institute for animal biodiversity research and an active NBFC partner under their bilateral MoU. It is a regional peer given the formal Sino-Italian biodiversity partnership and parallel national-center role within China's biodiversity research ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nbfc_italy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NBFC_ITALY
• Facebookfacebook.com/nbfcitaly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nbfc-italia
• Instagraminstagram.com/nbfc_italy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Biodiversity Future Center