We transform scientific research into business value
We are the MUR-accredited laboratory that brings applied research into your business. We manage the entire journey: from R&D design to accessing public funding, through to intellectual property protection.
Our story
Our story
Idea-Re is the research and technology transfer laboratory of the Referentia Group. It was born from the idea that applied scientific research should not be a privilege reserved for large organisations, but an accessible tool for any business looking to build a lasting competitive advantage.
Over the years we have developed an original model - Research as a Service (RaaS) - that integrates scientific expertise, public funding management and intellectual property protection into a single, measurable journey. We are not consultants implementing already-known solutions, nor researchers disconnected from the market: we are the operational bridge between the two worlds.
We bring research into the business, not the business into research. The difference lies in where value is created.
The team is made up of 18 highly qualified scientific professionals - 10 PhD holders and 4 post-doctoral researchers - with international peer-reviewed publications and active collaborations with leading Italian universities. We are a laboratory accredited by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and an accredited certifier by MiMIT for the qualification of R&D activities.
How we work
How we work: Research as a Service
A structured three-phase journey with a single point of contact. We don't just advise: we execute, report and protect the results.
-
Assess: R&D analysis and design
We analyse your innovation needs and identify the most suitable R&D path for your business, including an estimate of accessible public funding.
Output: detailed R&D plan + map of applicable funding. -
Research: applied research and funding management
Our team conducts the research by activating collaborations with universities and centres of excellence. We manage access to public funding from start to final reporting.
Output: documented scientific results + end-to-end funding access -
Protect & Monetize: IP and value creation
Patenting, software registration and construction of defensible and commercialisable IP assets, with royalty management on assignments and licences.
Output: registered and protected IP + recurring revenue from licences.
Our results
Our figures
Organic growth with consistently positive EBITDA. All R&D investments are self-funded.
- 70+
- active clients
- 5+
- Protected IP & patents
- 10 PhD
- + 4 Post-Docs in the team
RESEARCH AREAS
Our areas of expertise
-
Neural networks, LLMs, autonomous agents and AI for cybersecurity: we transform data into applied intelligence to automate, decide and protect.
-
Quantum algorithms, combinatorial optimisation (AQOPT), quantum sensing and hybrid classical-quantum systems. AQOPT platform in development for scheduling, resource allocation and energy networks.
-
Strategy, technology and resilience: an integrated approach to cybersecurity covering governance, system protection, incident response and regulatory compliance.
-
From innovation strategy to results protection: an integrated R&D journey that supports businesses at every stage, from research to generated value.
-
From digital maturity to digital twin: we design IoT, cloud and analytics architectures to connect, integrate and optimise industrial processes towards Industry 4.0 and 5.0.
-
From grant scouting to final reporting: complete support in accessing subsidised finance, from compatibility assessment to the management of the funded project.