By joining forces, 28DIGITAL expands its influence within a dynamic nation (San Marino is the fifth-smallest State in the world) that is rapidly positioning itself as a fertile ground for experimentation, startup growth, and digital transformation. San Marino’s regulatory openness provides the ideal environment for 28DIGITAL to deploy its ecosystem, methodologies, and multi-stakeholder networks. This partnership will enable the Republic to strengthen its ties with Europe’s most advanced innovation hubs, while benefiting from 28DIGITAL’s capacity to transform knowledge into scalable ventures and nurture the next generation of digital talent.
The Memorandum outlines a broad and ambitious line of collaboration. The partners will work together to bring San Marino into closer dialogue with leading innovation ecosystems across Europe and the United States, creating opportunities for joint exploration of best practices and emerging technologies. They will co-design programs that encourage the discovery, validation, and development of innovative solutions, ensuring strong alignment with San Marino’s priorities and European strategic objectives.
The partnership also foresees the creation of challenge-driven initiatives and thematic calls capable of mobilizing startups, corporates, universities, and research centres. In parallel, the parties will examine financial opportunities at both national and European levels, with the possibility of establishing a San Marino–based fund dedicated to early-stage deep-tech ventures. Brand awareness and communication efforts will support these activities, reinforcing San Marino’s visibility as an emerging innovation sandbox within Europe.
For 28DIGITAL, the agreement represents a strategic opportunity to build a robust bridge between its pan-European network and an innovation-oriented country preparing to strengthen its alignment with the European Union. The partnership creates favourable conditions for 28DIGITAL to establish a local presence and to channel cutting-edge ideas, talent, and entrepreneurial initiatives toward concrete impact on the ground.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to foster a vibrant innovation environment in San Marino, fully connected to Europe’s digital future,” said Federico Menna, CEO of 28DIGITAL. “By combining our network and expertise with the institutional vision of San Marino Innovation and the long-standing strategic experience of GEA, we are paving the way for measurable and high-impact initiatives that can benefit citizens, institutions, and the broader entrepreneurial community.”
Each initiative developed under the Memorandum will be supported by dedicated service contracts that clearly define objectives, methodologies, resources, deliverables, and governance processes, ensuring precision, transparency, and accountability at every stage.
This agreement marks the beginning of a shared journey aimed at attracting talent, stimulating innovation, and positioning the Republic of San Marino as a rising player in the European technological landscape—advancing 28Digital’s overarching mission to build a fair, competitive, and human-centric digital future.
