Member university · Bologna, Italy
University of Bologna · Almacube
- Status
- Member of the SUGAR Network
- Location
- Bologna, Italy
- Continent
- Europe
- Website
- almacube.com/openinnovation
SUGAR projects with UniBo.
LexConnectA peer-matching platform where owners of micro and small enterprises exchange practical business advice.Haufe-LexwarePotsdam DE · Bologna IT
Problem
Germany's 3.8 million small and micro-enterprises are run by professionally isolated owners. They decide alone, on intuition, because consultants are too expensive and advice too generic.
What they built
LexConnect matches entrepreneurs by industry, business size and current challenges. Confidential one-to-one conversations let them exchange real-world advice and build a trusted support network.
Impact
Owners make smarter, more confident decisions and save time. Lexware adds a community layer to its digital advisor strategy and a new channel for attracting users.
CO/LABSoftware that simulates how a company would implement the artificial-leaf technology.Italian Institute of TechnologyNice FR · Bologna IT
Problem
IIT's artificial leaf mimics photosynthesis but is not ready for industrial scale. Companies hesitate to invest at this early stage, yet IIT needs them to develop it further.
What they built
CO/LAB runs an interactive simulation of implementing the artificial leaf in a company's processes and produces a detailed report for its financial team. The simulation can be revised per company.
Impact
A common language between IIT and companies. IIT collects reliable data; companies see whether the technology pays off.
KnockA Microsoft Teams app that shows where colleagues are and whether they can be reached.NestléPotsdam DE · Bologna IT
Problem
In hybrid work it is hard to know where colleagues are and when to reach them. People wait for answers and lose focus to constant notifications.
What they built
Knock visualises colleagues' status and location from calendar and network data, with privacy settings for how much is shared. If someone is available, a Knock video call starts in three clicks.
Impact
Focused, respectful work and faster interactions. The company gains productivity from less waiting and fewer distractions.
MicroBoosterA bank service that uses predictive analysis to suggest personalised growth opportunities to micro-entrepreneurs.CRIFBologna IT · Mumbai IN
Problem
How might CRIF improve its offering for micro-enterprises, with banks as the channel? Italian firms are mostly micro-enterprises with under 20 employees.
What they built
MicroBooster is offered by banks and powered by CRIF's predictive analysis. It combines bank data and entrepreneurs' own input to identify opportunities and offers solutions to act on them.
Impact
Banks deepen relationships with micro-entrepreneurs; entrepreneurs act on proactive, integrated and immediate insights.
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ESGoAn app that scores any product or company on environmental, social and governance criteria.CRIFBologna IT
Problem
How might CRIF engage current and future clients in B2C and B2B2C, with a focus on Gen Z, whose needs differ from earlier generations?
What they built
ESGo scans products and searches companies, returning an easy-to-read ESG score based on quantified factors. Users share ideas and discuss products with their community.
Impact
Gen Z makes informed, responsible purchases. CRIF, trusted in credit scoring, builds a relationship with a generation it must address differently.
COEXA bidirectional communication system that gives operators and collaborative robots a common language.IMABologna IT
Problem
Rethink human-robot collaboration to improve efficiency without compromising safety, and redesign how cobots and humans communicate.
What they built
COEX is a modular system that makes operator and cobot aware of each other's position and movements. Neither has to adapt to the other; both share a language of interaction.
Impact
Operators know they have been detected and what the cobot will do next, so they work faster and feel safer around it.
DaisyA home device and app for oral self check-ups that flag caries and gum-disease risk.Medicover StomatologiaBologna IT · Warsaw PL
Problem
Many people, especially Millennials, dread the dentist, postpone appointments and do not know how to care for their teeth. The brief asked for prevention.
What they built
Daisy combines a device, an app and contact with dentists. A self check-up monitors general oral health and the risk of caries and gum disease, with personalised tips.
Impact
Patients control their oral health and avoid the fear of unexpected diagnoses and painful procedures.
DIGITAL Mechadigital solutionsA roller-coaster maintenance service built on sensor bolts that monitor critical joints and pre-fill reports.PoggipoliniKyoto JP · Bologna IT
Problem
Find new applications and services for Poggipolini's SENS-IN bolt, a fastener with embedded sensors, including a business model for a new market.
What they built
SENS-IN bolts measuring vibration and self-loosening sit at critical points of a roller coaster. Software monitors them continuously and generates pre-filled maintenance reports on a tablet.
Impact
Cheaper, better-documented maintenance for parks and design data for manufacturers. Poggipolini moves from product to service provider.