The first edition of an ambitious Grand Prix Startup, organized by the Chamber in the presence of institutions and the Franco-Italian business community, rewarded responsible innovation.

In the prestigious setting of Palazzo Mezzanotte, the former historic headquarters of the Italian Stock Exchange located in Milan, the first edition of the Grand Prix Startup organized by the CCI France Italy – commercial camera was held on the evening of December 2 in a renewed form, inspired by the BIG, the huge annual meeting organized by BPI France.

The event brought together more than 400 people from the Franco-Italian business community, institutions, some 40 speakers from the world of innovation and sustainable development, successful startups, scale-ups, unicorns, venture capital, incubators, tech hubs and influencers.

Of the six finalist emerging startups, selected by a jury made up of member companies of the Chamber’s CSR club, three winners stood out as the most innovative in the Chamber’s ecosystem.

“We are particularly pleased today to give life in Milan, in a place as rich in history as the Italian Stock Exchange, to a new laboratory of ideas and projects for the future, which is being built on the basis of what we invest today in economic, human and intelligence capital on the front lines of technological innovation and sustainability”, declared Denis Delespaul, president of the CCI France Italy. And to add: “In this common institutional space, Italy and France can now confront each other and share projects of excellence, including through the awarded startups, for the revival of the economy and the strengthening of exchanges, and not only commercial ones. , between our two countries. »

Néolithe, winner of the Startup France Italy Grand Prix

The winner is Neolith, active in the treatment of non-recyclable waste, a French startup presented by BPI France. The second prize was won by Evogy, which offers sustainable energy solutions, and which was presented by Leyton. The third winner is another Italian startup, aquaseekwhich develops water purification technologies, presented by the Michelin Development Foundation.
During the evening, the public was able to express their preference by voting via a QR code, awarding the Special Prize to Up2Youpresented by the Lactalis Group in Italy, a startup that allows companies to reduce their own carbon footprint by involving their customers and employees.

Two other startups were among the finalists: BonusX, presented by the city hall of Milan and Eficia, presented by Mersen.

Milan, Italian capital of innovation

The Grand Prix Startup saw the presence of many institutions, all demonstrating their commitment to a more ethical and sustainable world.
Christian Masset, Ambassador of France in Italy, welcoming the initiative of the Chamber, recalled the importance of moments of sharing between the actors of the economic and institutional system. “In a time of uncertainty about the future, we need to accelerate the transition to a more efficient labor economy, combining innovation and sustainability. Italy and France share the same priorities, they can bring out new projects that allow us to revive our economies and avoid the close ties that already unite us.he asserted.

For the mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala, who has also granted the patronage of the Municipality to the event, the Grand Prix Startup certainly promotes sustainable innovation, but it also contributes to “to strengthen the role of Milan as a factory of ideas and economic development at the international level.

From the central stage to the five thematic islands, 40 talks followed one another during the evening to the rhythm of the participation of renowned speakers, such as Alessia Cappello, advisor for economic development and labor policies, Layla Pavone who is at the Head of the Council for Technological Innovation and Digital Transformation of the Municipality of Milan, or Andrea Falleni, Director of Capgemini in Italy, Enrico Resmini, CEO of CDP Venture Capital, and Barbara Lunghi, Head of Equity Primary Markets of Euronext.

And so that Milan embodies even more the Italian capital of responsible innovation, and also why not of Europe, the CCI France Italy has assured that the event is now intended to be repeated every year.