Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster (LE2C) is a Milan-based non-profit association serving as Lombardy's official technology cluster for energy and environment, connecting approximately 100 member companies, universities, and public bodies to drive open innovation and access European and regional funding.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersMilano, Italy
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster does
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster (LE2C) is a recognized non-profit association founded in 2009 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, serving as the official Lombardy Technological Cluster (CTL) for Energy and the Environment as designated by Regione Lombardia in 2014. It functions as an open-innovation intermediary connecting approximately 100 affiliated companies, 15 entrepreneurial associations, 9 universities and research centers (including Politecnico di Milano, University of Brescia, University of Milano-Bicocca, CNR, and RSE), 5 public administration bodies, 4 banking institutions, and 2 press organizations across six thematic areas: Smart Energy Systems, Sustainable Manufacturing, Green Building, Water Energy Nexus, Clean Air, and Circular Economy.
Rather than developing proprietary technology products, LE2C operates a portfolio of competence areas and member support services including Innovation Workshops, the Europe Help-Desk (advisory on EU funding), Innovation Management Capacity assessments, and International Partners' Research through the Enterprise Europe Network database of more than 23,000 international profiles. The cluster is a partner in multiple multi-stakeholder European and regional projects, with current involvement in SYSCHEMIQ (a Horizon Europe circular plastics initiative with a €9.6 million total budget and 21 partners across six countries including Brightlands Chemelot Campus, SABIC, TNO, and Fraunhofer), SPACE-NEST, SMaRT PCBs (WEEE recycling), and the regional Tech4Lib lithium battery recycling project coordinated by the University of Brescia and funded by Fondazione Cariplo.
LE2C's revenue model combines annual membership subscriptions from affiliated members with grants from the European Commission (Horizon Europe, SMP-COSME, H2020, Interreg, I3 Interregional Innovation Investments) and Regione Lombardia (POR FESR programs). A small core staff of 6-8 employees, led by Cluster Manager Carmen Disanto and President Riccardo Bellato (elected 2023-2026), delivers cluster management, project coordination, and member services. The organization holds the Gold Label certification from the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA) and became an official partner of the European Climate Pact in February 2026, placing it among only six accredited Italian entities in that 48-organization network.
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster
- Legal name
- Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster
- Website
- https://energycluster.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster (LE2C) is a Milan-based non-profit association serving as Lombardy's official technology cluster for energy and environment, connecting approximately 100 member companies, universities, and public bodies to drive open innovation and access European and regional funding.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industry Cluster Organization / Innovation Cluster Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (81391)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Climate Finance Strategy (CapEx planning, green finance, incentives & grants) (EUABAKAG)
Keywords
Where Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milano
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership fees: LE2C operates as an association ('associazione riconosciuta') supported by member companies. The cluster generates value through member subscriptions and services, facilitating innovation and collaboration among ~100 affiliated companies, 15 entrepreneurial associations, 9 universities and research centres, 5 public administration bodies, 4 banking institutions, and 2 press organisations.
- European and regional project funding: LE2C receives grants from the European Commission (Horizon Europe, SMP-COSME, H2020, Interreg) and Regione Lombardia (POR FESR) through participation in funded research and innovation projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Cluster membership (associate) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster (LE2C) is a recognized regional technology cluster association in Lombardy, Italy, that functions as an open-innovation facilitator connecting approximately 100 companies, 9 universities and research centers, 5 public administration bodies, 4 banking institutions, 15 entrepreneurial associations, and 2 press organizations across six thematic areas: Smart Energy Systems, Sustainable Manufacturing, Green Building, Water Energy Nexus, Clean Air, and Circular Economy. LE2C delivers member-facing services including innovation workshops, a Europe Help-Desk for EU funding navigation, Innovation Management Capacity assessments (Industry 4.0 readiness), and International Partners' Research/matchmaking via the Enterprise Europe Network database of over 23,000 profiles. The cluster also partners in funded European, national, and regional research and innovation projects (Horizon Europe, SMP-COSME, H2020, Interreg, POR FESR).
Product overview
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster (LE2C) is a regional technology cluster serving as an innovation hub that connects businesses, research institutions, and public administrations in the energy and environment sector. Rather than a unified software product, LE2C offers a portfolio of competence areas (Smart Energy Systems, Sustainable Manufacturing, Green Building, Water Energy Nexus, Clean Air, and Circular Economy) alongside support services including Innovation Workshop, Europe Help-Desk, Innovation Management Capacity, International Partners' Research, and Access to Fundings. The cluster also facilitates participation in European and regional projects such as SYSCHEMIQ, SPACE-NEST, SMaRT PCBs, and Tech4Lib.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Gold Label certification from European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ESCA) — first Italian cluster to achieve this
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SPACE-NEST Consortium (6 partners)coreLE2C is a partner in the SPACE-NEST project (SMP-COSME), alongside Diputación de Málaga, Provincia di Bergamo, Občina Izola, Acciòn Contra el Hambre Spain (capofila), and Inovaktiv. The project regenerates abandoned rural spaces into social economy enterprises focused on green economy.
- SYSCHEMIQ Consortium (21 partners)coreLE2C is one of 21 partners in the European SYSCHEMIQ project (Horizon Europe, €9.6M budget, 2022-2026), focused on accelerating circular economy transition for plastics through urban-industrial districts. Partners include Brightlands Chemelot Campus (NL-coordinator), SABIC, TNO, Maastricht University, Plastic Recyclers Europe, Fraunhofer, and others across Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Slovenia.
- Regione LombardiacoreLE2C is designated by Regione Lombardia as the official Lombardy Technological Cluster (CTL) for Energy and the Environment. The regional government provides funding through POR FESR programs and the Cluster Innovation Call (Bando Cluster Tecnologici per l'Innovazione), most recently approving the 'CLEAN' Activity Plan.
- European Climate PactcoreSince February 2026, LE2C has been an official Partner of the European Climate Pact, a network of 48 European organizations. LE2C is among only six accredited Italian entities. The Pact promotes emission reduction, decarbonization, and sustainable transition of production chains.
- Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) / Confindustria LombardiacoreLE2C collaborates with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) via Confindustria Lombardia to provide international partner search services to member companies, with access to a database of over 23,000 international profiles for commercial, technological, and European project partnerships.
- M.I.A. LOMBARDIA (European Digital Innovation Hub)minorLE2C leverages M.I.A. LOMBARDIA, a European Digital Innovation Hub recognized by the European Commission with a Seal of Excellence, funded through PNRR. M.I.A. provides member companies with discounts on cluster services related to digitalization and innovation management.
- Digital Innovation HubminorLE2C has an agreement with the Digital Innovation Hub to offer free services analyzing companies' innovation management capacity, particularly related to Industry 4.0 and digitalization, through a specific test and improvement roadmap.
- ECCO (Climate Think Tank)minorLE2C serves as a promoter of a series of meetings on the Circular Economy Act, an initiative organized by ECCO think tank with the patronage of Confindustria Lombardia and promoted by On. Pierfrancesco Maran, President of the European Parliament's ENVI Commission.
- AssolombardaminorAssolombarda supports LE2C's dissemination activities, particularly in the SYSCHEMIQ project, and LE2C's President and several board members are affiliated with Assolombarda through its Chemicals Group and Green Economy Network.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cluster Spring: Italian Sustainable Processes and Resources for Innovation and Next Generation cluster, a National Technology Cluster focused on green/sustainable processes. Comparable as a national-level energy-and-environment cluster organization coordinating industry, research, and public partners.
- TAV – Cluster Lombardo Tecnologie per gli Ambienti di Vita: Lombardy Technological Cluster (CTL) for home/living environments, designated by Regione Lombardia. Direct peer to LE2C under the same regional designation regime, with parallel services, funding sources, and member-engagement model.
- Cluster Lombardo Mobilità (CLM): Lombardy Technological Cluster (CTL) for mobility, designated by Regione Lombardia alongside LE2C. Operates the same cluster management model (association, membership-based, EU project participation) but in the mobility sector, making it the most directly comparable peer in the same institutional ecosystem.
- AFIL – Associazione Fabbrica Intelligente Lombardia: Another Lombardy Technological Cluster (CTL) designated by Regione Lombardia, focused on advanced manufacturing. Direct peer operating under the same CTL designation regime with a similar funding, services, and member-engagement model.
- Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale Energia (CTNE): Italian National Technology Cluster for Energy, of which LE2C's previous President Luca Donelli was a Board member. Direct peer in the same energy innovation intermediation space, operating at national rather than regional level.
- Fondazione Cluster Lombardo delle Tecnologie dell'Informazione (CLTT): Lombardy cluster organization for Information and Communication Technologies, also designated as a Lombardy CTL. Direct peer operating within the same Regione Lombardia cluster ecosystem with similar governance and funding structure.
Regional players
- Tenerrdis: French energy transition cluster based in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, operating as a regional innovation hub for energy and cleantech. Comparable in function (membership-based open innovation cluster, EU project participation) but serving a different geography.
- Clúster de Energía de Aragón (ENERARAGON): Aragon (Spain) energy cluster aggregating companies, research centers and public institutions in the energy and cleantech domains. Comparable to LE2C as a sub-national cluster organization but operating in a different European region.
- Energy Saxony: German energy technology cluster for the Saxony region, connecting industry, research and public institutions in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Functions as a regional innovation intermediary comparable to LE2C but in a different member state.
- Catalan Energy Cluster (CEEC): Catalan energy cluster representing energy sector companies, research centers, and public bodies in Catalonia. Similar cluster model (association, member services, EU-funded projects) focused on energy and cleantech in a different European region.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster social profiles
Digital presenceLombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster
What does Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster do?
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster (LE2C) is a recognized regional technology cluster association in Lombardy, Italy, that functions as an open-innovation facilitator connecting approximately 100 companies, 9 universities and research centers, 5 public administration bodies, 4 banking institutions, 15 entrepreneurial associations, and 2 press organizations across six thematic areas: Smart Energy Systems, Sustainable Manufacturing, Green Building, Water Energy Nexus, Clean Air, and Circular Economy. LE2C delivers member-facing services including innovation workshops, a Europe Help-Desk for EU funding navigation, Innovation Management Capacity assessments (Industry 4.0 readiness), and International Partners' Research/matchmaking via the Enterprise Europe Network database of over 23,000 profiles. The cluster also partners in funded European, national, and regional research and innovation projects (Horizon Europe, SMP-COSME, H2020, Interreg, POR FESR).
Is Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster a public or private company?
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster founded?
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster based?
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster is headquartered in Milano, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership fees are the primary driver. The others are european and regional project funding.
Who are Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cluster Spring, TAV – Cluster Lombardo Tecnologie per gli Ambienti di Vita, Cluster Lombardo Mobilità (CLM), AFIL – Associazione Fabbrica Intelligente Lombardia, Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale Energia (CTNE) and Fondazione Cluster Lombardo delle Tecnologie dell'Informazione (CLTT). Regional players are Tenerrdis, Clúster de Energía de Aragón (ENERARAGON), Energy Saxony and Catalan Energy Cluster (CEEC).
Does Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster.
What industry is Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster in?
Lombardy Energy Cleantech Cluster's product category is Industry Cluster Organization / Innovation Cluster Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUABAKAG, Climate Finance Strategy (CapEx planning, green finance, incentives & grants). Its NAICS code is 81391 and its SIC code is 8600.