Grand Prix Innovation, the event organised by the CCI France Italie experienced its third edition, confirming its position as a not-to-be-missed event for anyone operating within the Franco-Italian innovation ecosystem. During the evening, awards were presented to the start-ups that stood out for their innovative and sustainable approach.
The first prize was awarded to Approxima, nominated by Forvis Mazars, for its innovative device useful for the percutaneous treatment of tricuspid insufficiency, a heart condition still without effective solutions. Second and third place were respectively won by Ogyre, a start-up engaged in cleaning the oceans thanks to a collaborative platform involving existing fleets of fishermen, presented by Roveda, and then Trailslight, a company developing a patented technology to optimise public lighting through intelligent data analysis, nominated by Siram Veolia. The Special Audience Award, attributed through a live vote during the evening, was won by Hypesound, presented by Crédit Agricole, which developed a technology that uses low frequency sound waves to increase the reproduction of microorganisms and improve their purity.
Over 400 guests including institutional representatives, entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists, startuppers and leading figures from the innovation scene. The day opened with more than 150 BtoB meetings between start-ups, companies and venture capitalists, and with an exhibition area where innovative companies from all over Italy showed their inventions in the most diverse sectors: from robotics to automotive, passing through the textile and agrifood fields. The exhibition area was realised with the collaboration of Kilometro Rosso and featured the innovative companies Agade, Alba Robot, Alto Robotics, BGreen Technologies, Phononic Vibes, and Point Zero.
The Consul General of France in Milan, François Bonet, kicked off the stage of meetings and talks followed by the Councillor for Economic Development and Labour Policies of the Municipality of Milan, Alessia Cappello, who said: “I am proud to support since the very first edition the Grand Prix Innovation, which today reaches its third edition, because with CCI France Italie we strongly share the vision, the values but also the desire to realise projects with a strong impact. In fact, all the start-ups rewarded and valorised in this event stand out for their ability to leave a mark in terms of innovation and sustainability, crucial elements for both Italy and France, as well as for our city of Milan, which is increasingly becoming a flywheel for attracting talent, capital and investment. It is also very important that this edition is dedicated to artificial intelligence, an element that we must all learn to apply so that it can increasingly generate a positive impact on the labour market, enabling many start-ups and companies to grow and also create new professional opportunities. Opportunities that we may not yet seize, but which we can certainly develop together’.
During the course of the evening, keynote speeches and panel discussions alternated, offering moments of insight and networking. Thanks to a silent meeting system, participants were able to choose from five vertical thematic areas: energy & smart city, healthtech & lifescience, fintech, aerospace, lifestyle & beautytech, all of which had a transversal focus on artificial intelligence and deeptech.
Keynote speakers included Salvatore Majorana, director of Kilometro Rosso, Elena Lavezzi, C-level executive & advisor, Marco Brancati, senior vice president research & digital innovation Telespazio, Alexandre Mars, founder & CEO Epic Foundation.
A jury composed of Sasha Komarevych, startup ecosystem leader & portfolio manager of B4i Bocconi for Innovation, the Chambre CSR Club and Cécile Bourland, managing director CCI France Italie analysed and evaluated the applications.
“The processes of innovation are now unstoppable in all sectors of the economy and life; the applications of artificial intelligence, the specific focus of this third edition of the Grand Prix Innovation, contribute to a further acceleration,’ Bourland said in a note. ‘As CCI France Italie, however, we believe very strongly in the importance of reviewing the concept of economic development in the light of a higher value, that of sustainability. The Grand Prix Innovation contributes to strengthening the meeting between the French and Italian ecosystems of innovation and sustainability, bringing together in the same space, corporations, start-ups, innovative SMEs, accelerators, venture capitalists and institutions, favouring opportunities for concrete and valuable encounters and exchanges. Giving voice and visibility to so many talented entrepreneurs who are committed on a daily basis to bringing innovative and sustainable ideas to life is also particularly satisfying’.
The jury also highly appreciated the other startup finalists: Aindo, presented by Findomestic Banca and J4Energy presented by Gruppo Lactalis in Italy, as well as all the other startups entered in the competition: 4cAi enrolled by CastaldiPartners; Archimede enrolled by Crédit Agricole; Geen enrolled by SNCF Voyages Italia; Holibreak enrolled by Forvis Mazars; Zeway enrolled by Carrefour Italia; VibraGeo enrolled by TotalEnergies Marketing Italia, Ladomus, So.De Social Delivery by Magma social enterprise, submitted by the Municipality of Milan; Dokimazo submitted by 12Venture; GRLS, Merits società benefit and Taua società benefit, submitted by CCI France Italie.
The initiative has been organised under the patronage of the Municipality of Milan, InnovUp and the Italian Tech Alliance, in partnership with B4i Bocconi for Innovation, La French Tech Italy, Kilometro Rosso, Le Village by Crédit Agricole, Startupbusiness and with the contribution of Carlsberg Italia and Institut Français Milano, and with the support of sponsors: Crédit Agricole and STMicroelectronics, as main sponsors; Aerosoft, Blank Italia, Edison, Forvis Mazars, Istituto Piepoli, Kering, L’Oréal, Openjobmetis, Sanofi, SNCF Voyages Italia; Carrefour Italia, CastaldiPartners, Findomestic Banca, Martini Manna & Partners, Roveda.
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