In Pisa, the Tuscany Region officially launched the TMB – Tuscany Mediterranean Bridge project, a strategic initiative promoted by the Regional Council and implemented by Sviluppo Toscana. The programme aims to establish Tuscany as a key Mediterranean hub for technological innovation and cross-border cooperation.
Invest in Tuscany took part in the event, represented by Marco Perrone, Business Retention Executive Manager, who contributed to the panel “Building bridges across innovation”. The discussion focused on a crucial question for the future of the Mediterranean area:
“What is the likelihood of seeing the emergence of a Mediterranean Innovation Ecosystem within the next 15 years? And what role can each organization play?”
In his remarks, Perrone highlighted the role of Invest in Tuscany in fostering cross-sector and cross-border partnerships and attracting international investments to support sustainable regional growth. He emphasized Tuscany’s ability to create favorable conditions for innovation ecosystems by connecting public and private sectors across diverse geographies.
An International Vision
The TMB project was established under Regional Law No. 10 of February 4, 2025, and is aligned with the broader goals of national and international development agendas, including the AI Program for Sustainable Development promoted by the Italian Government and UNDP.
The first edition officially begins at the end of July with a virtual pre-acceleration phase, culminating in a five-day in-person programme in Pisa from September 1 to 5, 2025.
40 Founders from Tuscany, the Mediterranean and Africa
The programme will bring together 40 founders from Tuscany and from Mediterranean and African countries involved in Italy’s Mattei Plan. The initiative will focus on smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence, offering a platform for collaboration, acceleration, and the development of high-impact solutions to today’s global challenges.
The programme is powered by GATE REI, a leading player in Italy’s innovation ecosystem, operating 12 hubs across the country and specializing in entrepreneurship programmes dedicated to tech for good.
Tuscany: a bridge between innovation and cooperation
The participation of Invest in Tuscany reinforces the region’s vision as a central actor in the Euro-Mediterranean landscape—one that promotes strategic investment, connects local and international ecosystems, and bridges research, enterprise, and policy.
The TMB project is more than a regional initiative: it is an open platform for international cooperation, designed to build real bridges across innovation ecosystems and foster long-term collaboration. Pisa, with its academic tradition and thriving innovation scene, offers the ideal setting for launching this next-generation innovation network.