by InTrieste
In less than two weeks, the picturesque northern Italian city of Trieste will play host to one of the most significant international gatherings in science and technology. The third edition of the Big Science Business Forum (BSBF2024) will take place from October 1 to 4, drawing delegates from around the globe to the city’s Generali Convention Center in Porto Vecchio.
At the heart of the event is an ambitious goal: to bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and industry, creating new opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and economic growth. With a market estimated at €10 billion annually, the world of Big Science — a term for the large-scale scientific endeavors that drive technological breakthroughs — is not just about discovery. It’s about business.
Hosted by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, BSBF2024 promises to attract over 1,000 delegates from more than 500 organizations, with 29 countries represented. Participants will include major European Big Science Organizations (BSOs) such as CERN, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the European Southern Observatory (ESO), alongside a host of high-tech companies, investors, and policymakers.
Trieste’s Strategic Role
For Trieste, a city with deep scientific roots, hosting BSBF is both a natural evolution and a statement of ambition. “BSBF represents an extraordinary opportunity for Trieste,” said Massimiliano Fedriga, President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and President of BSBF2024, at a press conference. “The region has made a qualitative leap in recent years by investing in strategic research sectors, from life sciences to hydrogen, and energy and digital transformation processes.”
Trieste has long been a hub of scientific activity, home to institutions such as the Area Science Park, Italy’s premier national research center. The event also highlights Italy’s growing influence in the global science and technology arena, positioning the country as a leader in the burgeoning Big Science market.
Fostering a Market for Big Science
BSBF2024 will focus on the complex intersection between science and commerce. With public tenders and international contracts increasingly shaping the sector, the forum provides a platform for participants to explore funding opportunities, discuss the technical challenges of engaging industries in scientific projects, and share best practices from across Europe. The ultimate goal: to create a thriving market for Big Science that benefits both researchers and industry players alike.
The event will feature six plenary sessions, 16 parallel workshops, and countless opportunities for business-to-business (B2B) meetings, all aimed at fostering collaboration. The gathering is supported by ten European BSOs, including CERN, the European Spallation Source (ESS), and the European XFEL, among others.
Spotlight on Innovation and the Next Generation
The forum’s final day will be dedicated to students and early-career researchers. Young professionals under the age of 40 from across Europe will be given free access to the event, allowing them to network with top scientists and industry leaders. This initiative is designed to promote career opportunities in the ever-expanding Big Science ecosystem, as well as inspire the next generation of innovators.
“Trieste and Friuli Venezia Giulia will be at the center of a dialogue between scientific excellence and entrepreneurial innovation,” said Alessia Rosolen, the Regional Councillor for Employment, Education, University, Research, and Family. “The exchange of expertise will help keep pace with rapid societal changes, stimulate investment in virtuous development processes, and, most importantly, create new career opportunities for young people.”
Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park, emphasized the importance of nurturing connections between research, innovation, and business. “BSBF is a unique opportunity to strengthen the relationship between research infrastructures and companies specializing in high-tech products. It’s about fostering a virtuous cycle of innovation that will drive the green transition,” she said.
A European Collaboration on Display
This year’s forum will not only showcase Italian leadership in Big Science but also reinforce the importance of European collaboration. Over the last two years, organizers have hosted a series of roadshows across major capitals in Central and Eastern Europe, drawing in new business participants and broadening the forum’s reach. The involvement of 26 new small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 14 countries, including two from Italy, demonstrates the growing economic potential of the Big Science market.
BSBF2024 will culminate in a symbolic handover of responsibilities to the host of the 2026 edition, further cementing the forum’s role as a crucial meeting point for Europe’s scientific and industrial leaders.
Numbers and Impact
The sheer scale of BSBF2024 is impressive: 1,000 delegates, 163 exhibition stands, and 245 exhibitors. Participants will include representatives from major European countries, as well as China, the United Kingdom, and Northern Ireland. Some 1,700 students and researchers have applied to participate in this year’s event, with Italy leading the way in terms of representation.
Major sponsors include prominent names in industry such as AVS Added Value Solutions, DANIELI, Fincantieri S.p.A., and illycaffè S.p.A., underlining the forum’s importance as both a scientific and business event.
How to Attend
Registration for the event is still open via the official BSBF 2024 website, and participants can download the event’s app for more information. For young professionals interested in the future of Big Science, BSBF offers an unparalleled opportunity to meet the industry’s brightest minds and engage with cutting-edge technology.
As Trieste prepares for the arrival of some of the world’s leading scientists and industrialists, the city’s transformation into a global hub for science and technology seems well underway.
For further information, visit www.bsbf2024.org.
Interviews: FVG governor, Massimiliano Fedriga; regional councilor for education and research, Alessia Rosolen.
