Driving innovation by leveraging a network of SMEs and the creative contributions of young people
Upskill Venezia Metropolitana promotes the growth and development of the region by fostering new synergies among young technical college students, institutions, and local entrepreneurs. The goal is clear: to improve the quality of life for residents and enhance the region’s appeal to tourists by supporting technological and social innovation.
This year, the project is focused on the Portogruaro area, involving local businesses, SMEs, and talented students from the ITS Tourism Innovation Digital 4.0 and Full-Stack Web Developer programs.
The areas of focus for the project were determined by focus groups that gathered the opinions, priorities, and perspectives of local youth, businesses, and trade associations.
Using the Design Thinking methodology, the project managers at Upskill 4.0 guide 45 young students through a design process encompassing the phases of empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing, transforming business challenges into concrete solutions for the local ecosystem. The key elements underpinning the project are:
- Participatory innovation: actively contributing to the development of a regional initiative in which all stakeholders can generate new ideas and solutions.
- Intergenerational connection: fostering dialogue between businesses, local institutions, and young students to explore the opportunities offered by new technologies.
- Regional appeal: promoting Portogruaro’s vitality as a hub for social and entrepreneurial growth, while encouraging the involvement of younger generations.
The companies leading the way in innovation
The participants in the third edition of Upskill Venezia Metropolitana describe the historic center of Portogruaro, which takes great care in selecting the products and services it offers to both local residents and visitors.
A.FA Architettura SRL: the firm led by architect Francesco Steccanella, which has been in operation for over 28 years, is embarking on a project to revamp its communications and digital presence. The goal is to strengthen its visual identity by highlighting the founder’s deep connection to academic research and integrated design.
Gelateria Oltrè: a contemporary artisanal gelateria in Portogruaro, is looking ahead to the summer of 2026 with the opening of a new location in Caorle. The design challenge is to strategically support this launch through a plan that integrates communication, events, and experiences, extending the brand beyond the physical store.
Retrospettivi Ottica: an eyewear concept store and boutique that blends style, urban design, and craftsmanship. The challenge for the students is to transform the boutique into a vibrant cultural and creative space—one that transcends its commercial purpose to become a community gathering place and a catalyst for urban regeneration.
A project that benefits the community
This approach to regional innovation delivers benefits on multiple fronts. On the one hand, businesses achieve tangible growth through strategic concepts tailored to their specific needs, thereby enhancing their competitiveness. On the other hand, the project supports the urban regeneration of Portogruaro, transforming it into a hub capable of offering solid opportunities for social and entrepreneurial growth. Finally, the initiative proves extremely beneficial for students, who put what they have studied into practice and see their new skills certified internationally by earning the “Design Thinking for Innovation” Open Badge.
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Notes
Upskill Venezia Metropolitana is a project carried out with the support of the Fondazione di Venezia, promoted by the Fondazione Portogruaro Campus ETS, in partnership with Upskill 4.0.
