The enthusiasm is there, as are the ideas. Pure resources, even if Italy is still behind other countries. It is in this climate that, in a crowded hall in the center of Rome, Working Capital 2014, the Telecom Italia project to support the most promising startups in the Internet, digital life, mobile devices and the environment is restarting.
Working Capital was born in 2009. For 5 years it has been one of the main places where startuppers – people with an idea to transform into a business – and potential investors can meet. A square that directly supports the birth and development of startups.
The meeting points – known as “accelerators” – are in Rome, Milan, Catania and, since 2013, Bologna.
In 2014, 40 new business grants of 25 euros will be awarded, linked to as many acceleration paths in the four cities where the project is present.
In addition to money, companies will be able to use the spaces of Working Capital, 10 startups per location. Among the forms of financing, crowdfunding is also envisaged, through a special platform. Another tool offered is quick access to the Telecom supplier register.
But the real novelty of this year's edition is the more active role of Telecom Italia, which is launching a 4 million euro fund – Seed Investment Capital – for the 2014-2016 period. That money will go to finance the startups deemed most innovative, with options or equity.
The presentation event was also an opportunity to talk about innovation, in the public and private sectors. And also, suggests Pif - recently a Telecom testimonial - in the fight against the mafia: "Doing business in Sicily is the real blow to Cosa Nostra - explained Pif - and it is necessary to promote companies that choose legality and use the Internet to make them feel less Sun".
“In Italy between 35 and 40 billion dollars are invested in startups – explained Angelo Marcello Cardani, president of the Communications Authority – while in the USA between 1050 and 1100 are spent. Initiatives like this have a extraordinary importance. And there is still a lot to do. Startups must grow, but they must also continue to live".
