Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale "Made in Italy"

What Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale "Made in Italy" does

Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale "Made in Italy" (operating as Clusterminit) is a non-profit national technology cluster established in 2021 and recognized by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) as one of 12 official national technology clusters. Its function is to coordinate research, innovation, and competitiveness initiatives across Italian manufacturing sectors — including fashion, textile, furniture, footwear, leather goods, nautical, design, and creative industries — by connecting enterprises, universities (18+ in the DeMIT national doctorate alone), public research institutions, trade associations, and government bodies. The Cluster does not develop proprietary technology products; instead it operates a portfolio of collaborative programs organized around thematic tables (Circular Economy, Traceability and Digital Product Passport, AI) and working groups (communication, project/bids/resources), plus flagship events such as DeMIT Days, the Giornata Nazionale del Made in Italy, the Prosperity Fashion Conference, and the New Italian Cool Award in Japan.

The Cluster's technology footprint is primarily educational and facilitative: webinars and publications cover blockchain, AI, and digital traceability as enabling technologies for the EU Eco-design Regulation (ESPR) and the Digital Product Passport. Its core deliverable is the Quaderni del Cluster editorial series and a national research roadmap, rather than a software platform. The organization is led by President Alberto Bassi (IUAV University of Venice, appointed November 2024) and Cluster Manager Giuseppe Iacobelli, with coordinators overseeing thematic tables and working groups.

The business model is non-commercial: the Cluster is publicly funded via MUR and partner contributions, membership is free for eligible entities, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed. The Cluster's value capture is institutional — it aggregates demand for EU programs (notably Horizon Europe via APRE), channels MUR funding toward applied research, and provides member enterprises with regulatory literacy, networking, and a route to international markets (Saudi Arabia, Japan). Growth in scope and geographic reach has been continuous since 2021, though commercial monetization is structurally absent from the model.

Name

Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale "Made in Italy"

Legal name

Cluster Nazionale Made in Italy

Website

https://clusterminit.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale "Made in Italy" (Clusterminit) is an Italian non-profit national technology cluster, recognized by MUR, that coordinates innovation across fashion, textile, furniture, footwear, design, and creative manufacturing by connecting 18+ universities, research institutions, trade associations, and enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association / Technology Cluster Coordination Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business Associations (81391)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Circular Economy & Sustainable Products (Reuse, Repair, Upcycling) (BPAGALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), Industrial Data Platforms, Historian & MES/MOM Integration (IMAIAMAI)

Keywords

• National technology cluster
• Made in Italy innovation
• Circular economy research
• Digital product passport
• Industry-academia collaboration

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Non-revenue generating organization: The Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale Made in Italy is a non-profit national technology cluster funded by public institutions (Ministry of University and Research - MUR) to coordinate research, innovation, and competitiveness initiatives across Italian manufacturing sectors including fashion, furniture, textile, nautical, and creative industries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Clusterminit is a non-profit national technology cluster that coordinates and facilitates collaboration across Italy's Made in Italy manufacturing ecosystem, including fashion, textile, furniture, footwear, leather goods, nautical, and creative industries. It delivers this coordination through thematic working tables (Circular Economy, Traceability/Digital Product Passport, AI), the Open Innovation Call for Textile Sustainability, the National Doctorate in Design for Made in Italy (DeMIT), events such as DeMIT Days and the Giornata Nazionale del Made in Italy, and the "Quaderni del Cluster" editorial series. The cluster connects 18+ universities, research institutions, trade associations, and enterprises to support sustainability, digital transformation, and innovation.

Product overview

Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale 'Made in Italy' is a national technology cluster that functions as a coordination and facilitation body for the Made in Italy ecosystem (fashion, design, furniture, textile, automotive, nautical). Rather than offering a unified software product, the Cluster provides a portfolio of collaborative programs including Thematic Tables (Circular Economy, Traceability/Digital Product Passport, AI), the Open Innovation Call for Textile Sustainability (with Decathlon and RadiciGroup), the New Italian Cool Award, and the National Doctorate in Design for Made in Italy. Key activities include organizing events (DeMIT Days, Giornata Nazionale del Made in Italy, Prosperity Fashion Conference), publishing research (Quaderni del Cluster series), and facilitating connections between enterprises, universities, and research institutions across Italy. The Cluster focuses on sustainability, digital transformation, traceability, and innovation through working groups and collaborative projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tavoli Tematici (Thematic Tables) Working groups addressing key contemporary issues including circular economy, artificial intelligence, and traceability, coordinated by various experts and focused on innovation for the Made in Italy system. Available to member organizations.
• Verso l'Economia Circolare Series Series of three online meetings organized with ICESP (Italian Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform) covering RIDURRE (May 13), RIUSARE (June 17), and RICICLARE (July 15), focused on circular economy practices and good practices in Italian enterprises.
• Digital Product Passport Webinar Program Webinar program organized by the Traceability Table on Digital Product Passport, covering traceability, sustainability, eco-design, and regulatory compliance with European standards (ESPR). Attracted over 70 participants in its first edition.
• Open Innovation Call for Textile Sustainability Open innovation project launched with Decathlon Produzione Italia and RadiciGroup to promote sustainability in textile supply chains through collaborative innovation. Closed with a Demo Day event on December 13, 2023.
• DeMIT Days Events promoting dialogue between the National Doctorate in Design for Made in Italy and the Cluster, held at Officina Vanvitelli in San Leucio, Caserta, and including presentation of the 'New Made in Italy Manifesto' and roundtable discussions.
• New Italian Cool Award Award competition launched by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, supported by the Cluster, to promote talented Made in Italy fashion designers on the Japanese market. The Cluster funded participation costs for 15 startups and 5 students.
• Dottorato Nazionale in Design per il Made in Italy National Doctorate of Interest in Design for Made in Italy: Identity, Innovation and Sustainability, coordinated by Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli with 17+ partner universities. The Cluster co-finances doctoral scholarships and conducts joint research activities. Involves over 100 doctoral students.
• Prosperity Fashion Conference International conference exploring the relationship between fashion, economy, environment, and society, focused on sustainability in the fashion system and transformation toward an inclusive model oriented toward shared well-being.
• Quaderni del Cluster Editorial series collecting materials and insights produced through thematic table activities. Aims to valorize the work of thematic tables and create a shared knowledge archive for enterprises, universities, and researchers.
• Cluster Made in Italy Network Membership Membership-based national network connecting enterprises, universities, research institutions, and institutions for collaboration on Made in Italy innovation strategies. Includes 11 members in the Coordination and Management Committee and 16 in the Scientific Committee.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 110 companies and researchers engaged in circular economy initiatives
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered international, major, core and key.

• Ministry of Economy and Planning of Saudi ArabiainternationalGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 June 2024Two-day meeting in June 2024 with Saudi Minister Faisal F. Alibrahim to present Italian cluster organizational models and Made in Italy sector excellence in textile, design, and automotive, aimed at strengthening international relations and technology transfer.
• Italian Chamber of Commerce in JapaninternationalGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership supporting 'The New Italian Cool Award' contest for promoting Italian fashion designers in the Japanese market. The cluster funded participation costs for 15 startups and 5 students.
• CL.A.N. (National Agrifood Cluster)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2023Memorandum of Understanding signed on February 2, 2023, aimed at developing joint projects on Made in Italy challenges in the agri-food sector. Presidents Silvana Pezzoli and Mauro Fontana committed to strategic joint approaches for synergies and proposals.
• APRE (Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2021Partnership agreement signed on November 23, 2021, to provide information and support for Italian participation in European Union research and innovation programs, particularly Horizon Europe. APRE is Italy's agency for promoting European research.
• Dottorato Nazionale DeMIT – Design per il Made in ItalycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with the National Doctorate of Interest in Design for Made in Italy, coordinated by Università degli Studi della Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, involving 18 Italian universities. The cluster co-finances a doctoral scholarship and organizes joint events like DeMIT Days.
• ICESP (Italian Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on circular economy initiatives, including a joint series of three online meetings titled 'Verso l'economia circolare: esempi, esperienze, buone prassi nelle imprese italiane' (May-July 2025).
• Decathlon Produzione Italia and RadiciGroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the 'Open Innovation Call for Textile Sustainability' initiative, with a Demo Day event on December 13, 2023, showcasing selected innovative projects in textile sustainability.
• AssocalzaturificikeyGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on traceability events for the footwear sector, including presentations on legislation, challenges, processes, and technology solutions for Italian shoe manufacturers.
• AssopellettierikeyGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration on traceability events for the leather goods sector, working together on Digital Product Passport adoption and blockchain solutions for supply chain management.
• OhoskinkeyOthersCluster member company showcasing innovative sustainable material made from orange waste at Milan Design Week, demonstrating circular design principles.
• Various Italian Technological ClusterskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in joint events with other national technological clusters, including R2B Research to Business exhibition where multiple clusters shared a common space dedicated to the cluster ecosystem.
• Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale EnergiakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint event 'Manifattura Made in Italy e sostenibilità energetica' (June 2022) addressing energy sustainability challenges in manufacturing supply chains.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ICESP - Italian Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform: Italy's national stakeholder platform for circular economy, partnering with the Made in Italy Cluster on a 2025 webinar series. Comparable as a thematic coordination platform, but focused specifically on circular economy rather than the broader Made in Italy manufacturing ecosystem.
• APRE - Agenzia per la Promozione della Ricerca Europea: Italy's agency for promoting European research participation. Strategic partner of the Cluster since November 2021, providing Horizon Europe support. Comparable as a national-level coordination body for Italian research and innovation, but with European rather than sectoral scope.

Direct peers

• CL.A.N. - Cluster Agrifood Nazionale: Italian national technology cluster focused on the agri-food sector, with which the Made in Italy Cluster signed an MoU in February 2023 for joint Made in Italy challenges. Operates under the same MUR national cluster framework and serves as a direct peer in the cluster system.
• Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale Energia: Another of Italy's 12 national technology clusters operating under MUR mandate. Co-organized the 'Manifattura Made in Italy e sostenibilità energetica' event with the Made in Italy Cluster, demonstrating direct peer collaboration on cross-cluster sustainability topics.
• Cluster Smart Manufacturing / Fabbrica Intelligente: Another MUR-mandated Italian national technology cluster, focused on smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0. Operates in the same institutional framework and shares overlapping enterprise membership across Italian manufacturing sectors, making it a structurally comparable peer.

Broad incumbents

• CNA - Confederazione Nazionale dell'Artigianato e della Piccola e Media Impresa: Italian confederation representing artisans and SMEs. Listed as a stakeholder in the Cluster's member ecosystem. Comparable as a broader representation body for Italian small manufacturers, with overlapping membership across Made in Italy sectors.
• Confindustria: Italy's main employers' federation representing manufacturing and service companies. Listed as a key stakeholder in the Cluster's member network. Comparable as a broader industry coordination body, though with commercial advocacy rather than R&D coordination focus.
• FederlegnoArredo: Italian industry federation representing wood, furniture, and decor companies. Listed as a partner in the Cluster's governance ecosystem, representing the established industry association counterpart to the Cluster's broader cross-sector coordination role.

Others

• European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP): EU-wide platform for cluster-to-cluster collaboration and internationalization. Comparable as a cluster-coordination infrastructure provider at the European level, supporting cluster management best practices that the Made in Italy Cluster itself implements in Italy.
• Fondazione Italia Digitale: Italian non-profit foundation promoting digital transformation. Operates as a comparable non-profit, ecosystem-coordination entity working at the intersection of public policy, industry, and digital innovation - adjacent to the Made in Italy Cluster's digital traceability and AI thematic work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCsO9x8TCKrYs_GfG7fS5Kmw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cluster-tecnologico-nazionale-made-in-italy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cluster Tecnologico Nazionale "Made in Italy"