ReActor has concluded, a reference project for Italian science which aims at technology transfer through entrepreneurship and innovation and which allows scientists to bring the fruits of their research efforts to the market. Promoted by the Golinelli Foundation with the support of industrial and institutional partners including Fondazione del Monte, Banca di Bologna, Imperial Fashion, Unibo, Unimore, CNR Bologna and Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, ReActor offers selected groups the opportunity to participate in a highly challenging training program thanks to partnerships with prestigious international realities.
The 13 selected teams, made up of 25 male and female researchers, participated diligently in a 12-week program including 70 hours of lectures, dozens of one-to-one meetings with 23 highly qualified mentors from the world of Italian and international business and finance and with former students who lead successful companies today. During the program, the groups also conducted more than 200 interviews with potential clients and participated in conferences with prestigious international speakers, including Henry Xu, professor at the Wharton School, Steve Gideon, president of the Ryerson Entrepreneur Institute and Bill Morrow, founder of Angels Den, one of the largest Business Angels groups in the world.
On the occasion of the pitch day, the final day of the process, the teams presented their business projects in front of a jury composed of: Andrea Pisoni, Chairman of OCC and EMV Capital partner; Danilo Mascolo, CIO Confindustria Emilia Romagna; Carlo Gotta, Senior Partner of the Orizzonte Private Equity Fund; Mario Riciputi, President of the SIR Fund; Raghu Movva, Head of Development and Innovation at the Collège des Ingénieurs and co-founder of Italian Tech Week; Carlo Tassi, CEO B-Engine and IAG member; Ciro Ospedaliere, Senior Manager of Fondo Vertis and Steve Thomas; President of the British-American Business Council.
The winning teams of the 2018-2019 edition were: EYECAN, the patented robotic vision solution that responds to the need of industry 4.0 to make use of tools that allow automatic production lines to be modified simply, reliably and at low prices; BIPOD, which will bring to the market an innovative non-invasive diagnostic kit for identifying the biological markers linked to the initial onset of Parkinson's disease, a pathology which to date cannot be identified except in a full-blown state; THERAPOMICS, which thanks to a proprietary software based on machine learning evaluates the bio-markers of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy treatments, helping the doctor to personalize the treatment, increasing the chances of success; QUICKSILVER, which will allow those suffering from foot pathologies, for example due to diabetes and osteoarthritis, to be able to wear a shoe with an antibacterial insole and a "made in Italy" design and NATURA.PRO.SUN, which will bring sunscreens to the market composed of natural active ingredients without plastic materials, thus responding to the ever more stringent regulations placed to protect the sea and guaranteeing 100% natural protection for the skin.
Winning business ideas will enter a second two-month training and acceleration period within some of the world's leading business ecosystems. Furthermore, the jury gave the special mention "Eye Catcher Company Project" to underline the high quality of the results achieved and to encourage them to create a company MICRO RESKIN, with its dermocosmetic cream that responds to the need for resolutive treatments against psoriasis; SHE VALVE, which will bring to market the world's first patented heart valve that allows smartphone monitoring of heart function; And WEARABLE BIOSENSOR, which will allow athletes to monitor in real time the physiological parameters associated with sporting activity thanks to an innovative bio-compatible sensor that can be printed on fabric and washed.
