Date
July 10, 2017 - July 17, 2017
Place
Milan
The Commission on Innovative Made in Italy - The Winners
The Commission on Innovative Made in Italy met on July 4, 2017 to decide the winning startup proposal for the sector.
The commission chose among eight finalists pre-selected by UniCredit Start Lab Team. The Commission was composed of senior executives from leading Italian companies such as:
• Sonia Bonfiglioli, President at Bonfiglioli Riduttori
• Massimo Dell'Acqua, Managing Director at Trussardi
• Raffaele De Nigris, CEO at Acetificio Marcello De Nigris
• Laura Rocchitelli, President at Rold Group
• Roberto Zanoni, Managing Director at EcorNaturaSì
After some debate, winning Innovative Made in Italy startup proposal was VEGEA, an innovative vegetal material produced through specific treatments of fibers and oils contained in grape marc: grape skins, stalks and seeds derived from wine production. The startup transforms a byproduct from winemaking into a new raw material satisfying the increasing demand for green and cruelty free products in fashion, furniture and packaging.
The commission awarded second place to HERACLEX, the Innovacrete startup propose an hi-tech (patented) premix for producing innovative cement-based composite materials. Heraclex finds several applications in design for its excellent mechanical performance (low thickness and lightweight), in addition Heraclex is durable, eco-friendly, non-toxic, fireproof and customizable.
Third place went to AGRICOLUS, the startup aims to provide farms with a complete crop management and treatment system, capable of improving products yield and quality, reducing environmental impact, diseases impact and saving resources through an advanced software.
Additionally, the commission decided to award a special mention to MASHCREAM: Mash has developed a process innovation by eliminating the "cold chain" method for ice cream production with an express production one, based on a refrigerated plate, which allows to produce the ice cream directly in front of the customer. The installation of a laboratory and other machinery is not needed.
To read more about all ten of the 2017 UniCredit Start Lab finalists in the Innovative Made in Italy category, please click here.
