Tunisia, with its growing roster of over 1,400 active startups, is positioning itself as a strategic partner for the Italian innovation ecosystem. The sentiment was echoed by Italy’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Alessandro Prunas, during the second edition of “Innovation Dialogues,” an event series designed to build collaborative bridges between the two Mediterranean tech hubs. The discussions spotlighted Tunisian climate tech startup ProVerdy as a prime example of the country’s emerging technological capabilities.
Quick Facts
- Tunisia is home to over 1,400 active startups.
- “Innovation Dialogues” event series fosters Tunisia-Italy collaboration.
- Key focus areas include AI, emerging tech, and sustainability.
Fostering Cross-Mediterranean Tech Synergies
Organized by the Italian Embassy and the Terna Innovation Hub, the event was held at Tunisia’s Startup Village, bringing together founders, investors, and public institutions. The initiative aims to move beyond simple dialogue and encourage tangible partnerships in strategic sectors.
Ambassador Prunas highlighted the robustness of the Tunisian ecosystem, which he noted is supported by a strong network of universities, research centers, technology parks, and public institutions. This foundation, he stated, creates a fertile environment for exchanging ideas, talent, and expertise, ultimately paving the way for new ventures between the two countries.
Spotlight on Tunisian and Italian Climate Tech
The event’s discussions centered on innovative solutions for sustainable development, featuring Tunisian and Italian startups at the forefront of climate tech. Souha Bejaoui, co-founder of ProVerdy, presented her company’s AI-driven platform. The solution enables organizations to measure and reduce their carbon footprint through advanced carbon accounting and sustainability reporting tools. ProVerdy was previously selected for the Terna Innovation Hub in Tunisia’s 2026 accelerator program.
Sharing the stage was Matteo Menighini, co-founder of the Italian startup Koalisation. His company, established in 2022, develops carbon finance projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on clean cooking, agroforestry, and water access. The collaboration between ProVerdy and Koalisation was presented as a model for the potential integration between the two nations’ startups.
A Strategic Gateway to Africa
The partnership is seen as more than just a bilateral opportunity. Matteo Menighini emphasized Tunisia’s strategic value, describing it as “the closest gateway to Africa for Italy” due to its geographic and cultural proximity. This position, he argued, can significantly contribute to developing cross-border skills and cooperation.
Ambassador Prunas also pointed to the energy sector as a particularly promising area for collaboration, citing the major electricity interconnection project between Tunisia and Italy as a key example. However, he stressed that innovation should not be limited to specific sectors. “We must let innovation guide us, rather than trying to direct it,” he remarked.
About ProVerdy
Founded by Souha Bejaoui, ProVerdy is a Tunisian climate tech startup that has developed an AI-powered platform to help businesses measure, manage, and reduce their carbon footprint. The company provides tools for carbon accounting and generating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability reports.
Source: Italpress
