Silicon Valley lands at Mind in Milan. The spaces of Expo 2015 will host Berkeley SkyDeck, the leading global accelerator for the growth of innovative companies. The goal: to keep start-ups in the area and encourage their development thanks to a network of qualified professionals.
It is a reality animated by over 250 professors of the University of Berkeley, in San Francisco, California, supported by entrepreneurs and investors. The first project of this type that crosses the US borders to settle in the Lombard capital. “We are thrilled to launch this revolutionary partnership – says Caroline Winnet, Executive Director of Berkeley SkyDeck – which will bring Berkeley’s ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship to Europe. Our mission is to accelerate the best start-ups in the world and provide educational opportunities for our students, who will be able to learn from growing actors. Milan is a city of talents and entrepreneurs in a growing economic context. A fertile environment for innovation ».
The incubator made in the USA has so far supported the development of 134 start-ups by putting 1.47 billion dollars on the table, in synergy with other investment funds. Now SkyDesk Europe is ready to support Italian talents thanks to the agreement between Lendlease and Cariplo Factory, the partners of a distinctive innovation program that will involve scientists, business leaders, technology experts and investors.
“This project will make it possible to create a reference point for the growth and competitiveness of the territorial system, strengthening companies with high innovation potential, universities, research centers and science parks” explains Giovanni Fosti, President of the Cariplo Foundation, who together with Cariplo Factory will be responsible for creating links and connections with the network of Italian universities. “The relationship – continues Fosti – with a partner of excellence such as the University of Berkeley opens our territory to an international comparison and a decisive learning opportunity for the entire knowledge and business system, strengthening people’s skills and generating value for the future of communities “.
The selected companies will participate in the startup acceleration program divided into two quarters: the first period of tutoring will be entrusted to the experts of Berkeley Skydeck. The next three months will be used for the “grounding” of the projects, with the support of Cariplo Factory: “It is the recognition of our constant commitment as a” catalyst “carried out in recent years – not least the work carried out together with Lendlease in the area of Federated Innovation @MIND – to grow the Italian innovation ecosystem “explains Carlo Mango, CEO of Cariplo Factory who then adds:” We are sure that this public-private collaboration can generate an increase in the attractiveness of our country at an international level and will allow startups present in incubators, science parks and universities in the area to compete on a global scale “.
To this experience are added the assets made available by the Anchors of MIND (which will have a privileged role) and by the Italian Institute of Technology.
An enrichment of the offer that the Milan innovation district (MIND) already proposes, heir to the spaces of the universal exhibition six years ago. In addition to the Cariplo Foundation, the Lombardy Region also contributes, for a total allocation of 2.75 million euros. “The Region – says Guido Guidesi, Lombardy Region councilor for economic development – supports this program with 1.5 million euros because it is an initiative capable of driving innovation in strategic sectors for competitiveness and the recovery of Lombard economic system, catalyzing the ecosystem of companies, universities, investors and institutions. A point of reference for the development of new skills and attractiveness for new talents and new start-ups ».