Unicredit launches Unicredit Start Lab and starts enrollment in the acceleration program aimed at innovative startups and SMEs that have been established for no more than 5 years.
The aim of the initiative is to help these new realities grow and expand through the proposed training activities, which include the Startup Academy path, a personalized mentorship plan, participation in "Investor Days" and "Business Meetings ” with Unicredit client companies for industrial, technological, commercial, strategic partnerships and collaborations at various levels. It will also be possible to access specific services: the assignment of a Unicredit manager dedicated to supporting growth and cash awards.
Startups and companies will have the opportunity to compete in 4 different categories:
The categories within which entrepreneurial ideas will be able to compete to gain access to the program will be the following 4:
- Innovative Made in Italy: high-potential companies active in key sectors of Italian entrepreneurship such as agri-food, fashion, design, nanotechnologies, robotics, mechanics and tourism;
- Digital: companies and entrepreneurial ideas related to cloud systems, hardware, mobile apps, internet of things, B2B and fintech services and platforms;
- Clean Tech: solutions for energy efficiency, renewable energies, sustainable mobility and waste treatment;
- Life Science: projects on biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health care and assistive technologies.
Anyone wishing to enroll must present a business project by sending an application, business plan, information on the processing of personal data and the release of consent according to the methods indicated in the online application platform by 20 April 2020.
Andrea Casini, Co-CEO Commercial Banking Italy of UniCredit, states: “With Start Lab UniCredit has analyzed around 5.000 entrepreneurial projects since 2014, selecting over 300 that have taken part in an acceleration path developed around the specific needs of young entrepreneurs, which full support has been provided to accompany them in all phases of the company's life".
