The pitch day of the nine finalist innovative ideas of the "Call for Innovation" was held in the coworking campus "Talent Garden Milano Calabiana", a challenge launched by Bricoman Italia (the largest specialist in professional technical products for the construction and renovation of home) and Digital Magics (the most important startup incubator focused on Digital Made in Italy issues)
The challenge had the aim of discovering new technological solutions to improve and speed up payment processes at the cash desks of Bricoman points of sale. In front of the jury made up of the management of Bricoman, Groupe Adeo and other brands in the Mulliez galaxy (Bricocenter, Decathlon, Auchan), the nine finalists presented their innovative startups.
First position for Metaliquid, startup that uses deep learning and artificial intelligence technologies to analyze audio and video content in real time to recognize actions, people, objects and relationships between them. Second place for Cikala, which creates systems and technologies in the proximity marketing and proximity sharing sectors for the B2B and B2C markets.
In addition to a prize of 5 thousand and 3 thousand euros respectively, the two startups will have the opportunity to start an industrial collaboration with Bricoman Italia, which will initially result in the execution of a pilot project and subsequently in the adoption of the innovative technological solution in all stores.
Satisfaction from Layla Pavone, CEO of Digital Magics for Industry innovation: ““Open Innovation is increasingly proving to be the most concrete and qualified way to bring innovation to more mature and consolidated companies. The offer of innovative projects with a high technological content, of which the ecosystem of Italian startups is rich, represents the differential factor in the creation of value on both sides".
The two CEOs of the winning startups are excited. “Being chosen by Bricoman Italia in this Call for solutions that can streamline the 'checkout' process - said Simone Bronzin, co-founder and CEO of Metaliquid - represents for us the confirmation of our work and the opportunity to work at a stimulating project alongside a group that believes in the value of innovation”.
The guys from Cikala are already at work: "we will do everything to present a prototype of 'Smart Checkout' with all the technological features requested during the Call within the next 30 days".
