Cleantech216 is a digital innovation hub dedicated to promoting clean technologies and strengthening climate resilience in Tunisia. Led by Future Islands and funded by Digital Africa, Cleantech216 provides small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with affordable access to innovation and digital skills, enabling them to move towards a more sustainable future.
Through its initiatives, Cleantech216 offers tailored support to help businesses adopt green technologies, improve energy efficiency, and optimize their production processes. The hub plays a key role in Tunisia’s sustainable development by fostering collaboration between SMEs, startups, and sector experts.
Many Tunisian SMEs face challenges integrating clean technologies due to high costs, limited access to expertise, and a lack of structured programs to support their transition. Furthermore, the rapid evolution of technologies and environmental regulations makes adopting innovative approaches essential. Without appropriate support, these companies struggle to meet the demands of digital and ecological transformation.
Cleantech216 offers a range of programs designed to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices among Tunisian SMEs:
EcoCollab:Monthly networking events focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, and green technologies, connecting SMEs with experts and industry leaders.
Innovalink: An open innovation platform that connects SMEs with startups to co-develop innovative solutions tailored to their challenges.
SkillElevate: Specialized training programs to equip SMEs with the digital and technological skills essential for their green transition.
InvestiConnect: A program dedicated to helping SMEs find funding and prepare for investment in their innovative projects.
The Innovalink program also applies structured open innovation approaches to foster collaboration between startups and businesses through:
– Identifying strategic challenges and sustainability needs.
– Matching SMEs with startups offering suitable solutions.
– Providing support for collaboration through innovation sprints and mentoring.
– Assisting with the implementation of validated solutions.
Cleantech216 has already supported its first cohort of SMEs in their digital and ecological transformation, resulting in tangible improvements in operational efficiency and sustainability.
Key outcomes:
Three SMEs engaged in the open innovation program Innovalink, collaborating with startups to adopt clean technology solutions:
– Soprotic: Specializing in shoe manufacturing.
– Tunisie Transformateurs: Specializing in electric transformers.
– Delta Cuisine: Specializing in kitchen and wardrobe manufacturing.
- Assessments conducted on the digital maturity and investment readiness of participating SMEs.
- Strategic matchmaking between SMEs and startups, leading to solutions tailored to the businesses’ challenges.
- Workshops, innovation sprints, and follow-up sessions to ensure effective solution implementation.
A notable success was with Tunisie Transformateurs, which partnered with the startup IoWaVes to develop a real-time stock tracking system. This innovation improved data reliability and production efficiency, demonstrating the potential of open innovation to address industrial challenges and foster sustainable transformation.
- 4 EcoCollab events organized, addressing topics such as climate awareness, digital transformation, and blockchain for sustainability.
- 15 startups and 6 cleantech service providers integrated into the Cleantech216 ecosystem.
- Over 20 participants per event, engaged in discussions on energy efficiency and sustainable practices.
By fostering collaboration and providing structured support, Cleantech216 helps Tunisian SMEs accelerate their transition to a more sustainable and competitive future.
