Intesa Sanpaolo has embarked on a mission to create a bridge between Italy and the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of San Francisco and Silicon Valley.
The bank has selected twelve promising Italian startups to participate in an intensive program aimed at accelerating their international growth.
These startups operate in strategic sectors such as digital, bioeconomy, health, aerospace, water, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and mobility.
This initiative is part of the Up2Stars program, which has already seen significant financial support from Intesa Sanpaolo.
The collaboration with Innovit, an Italian innovation hub in San Francisco, has provided these entrepreneurs with a comprehensive experience, including over 20 training sessions with local universities and networking opportunities with leading Californian companies.
The goal is to enhance the startups' potential and facilitate their entry into international markets, ultimately benefiting the Italian economy.
Intesa Sanpaolo's presence in the United States, with a dedicated team supporting Italian businesses, underscores the importance of this initiative.
The program not only aims to foster the growth of these startups but also to attract new investments to Italy by showcasing the country's specialized technological and entrepreneurial talents.
The initiative also highlights the potential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Italy to expand internationally.
The support from the Italian entrepreneurial community in Silicon Valley is seen as a valuable resource for these startups, offering guidance and potential financial backing.
The idea of forming a 'Club of Italian Investors Abroad' has been proposed to further support Italian businesses seeking growth beyond national borders.