The project "Circularity goes digital” comes true. The initiative promoted by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, Cariplo Factory and Microsoft which aims to accelerate the adoption of circular economy by Italian companies, through digital technologies and open innovation. It will be implemented by the Circular Economy Lab (CE Lab), the laboratory of Cariplo and Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, created to support circular business models and accompany companies towards the new economic-productive model.
The initiative will develop over the next few months with the selection of projects created by innovative digital startups and dedicated to the development of products “zero waste” based on renewable sources, on the optimization of circular business models with a view to an integrated supply chain and on extending the period of use of products and materials.
Between September and December, startups capable of enabling circular approaches in the processes of already mature companies will be selected. Those that will be chosen will have the opportunity to access the second phase, i.e. the introductory workshop on open innovation methodologies and match making meetings with interested companies.
In the first 6 months of 2021, the third phase will start, which involves the activation of collaborations between companies and startups, with the launch of any pilot projects and a development path coordinated by the CE Lab. This is where it comes into play Microsoft, which will provide technology support and access to Microsoft for Startups programs. Instead, the Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center will evaluate the merit and feasibility of the projects that will have access to the 2018-2021 Intesa Sanpaolo ceiling (up to 5 billion euro) dedicated to the circular economy.
The last phase of the project will end with the definition of a roadmap between startups and companies for the development of industrial and commercial relations.
Guido de Vecchi, General Manager of Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, stated that "through this initiative the best digital startups will have the opportunity to meet and propose themselves to corporate companies and SMEs that seize the strategic opportunity of the circular economy".
“Ecosystem partnerships between large companies, startups and innovative SMEs can play a key role in the recovery phase from the emergency – he added Barbara Cominelli, COO and Marketing and Operations Lead of Microsoft Italy – supporting individuals and businesses not only in managing the delicate phase of returning to normality, but aiming for new sustainable and equitable growth to build a more inclusive and green society all together”.
