Combining Deep and Digital Technologies as a Path Towards Twin Transition: The “Future Farming” case study

This paper presents an innovative approach to fostering twin transitions, leveraging the creation and management of digital entrepreneurial ecosystems. In such ecosystems, both digital and deep technologies are developed to address complex societal challenges thanks to the dynamic capabilities of their key actors. The empirical foundation for these propositions is anchored in a comprehensive case study analysis of the “Future Farming” initiative, a collaborative venture between the University Ca' Foscari of Venice (Italy) and the company ZERO. In the Future Farming, a distinctive eco-systemic collaboration model underpinned by a digital platform allows the collaboration among industry leaders, start-uppers, and academic researchers to enable the development of twin transition unicorns that leverage deep-technologies. The case study underlines the need for a new micro foundation approach to dynamic capabilities to allow value co-creation and the establishment of new hybrid organizations, responding to market needs, aiming at sustainability, and encompassing the latest technological advancement. Moreover, it highlights a new academic entrepreneurship approach, with universities and scientists able to translate their scientific discoveries into real-world applications.