SMAU 2017: Open Innovation starts in Milan

SMAU 2017: Open Innovation starts in Milan

Italy: the place to be

A recent PWC report declared Italy among the most attractive Countries in which to start new enterprises, and Milan the best Italian city in which to do so. This is due to the Country’s digital ecosystem, the buzzing startup scene, the newly introduced tax incentives and the above average quality of life that young entrepreneurs enjoy here. After a successful event in Berlin, in which international investors, accelerators and incubators met – and when favourably impressed with – young entrepreneurial and scientific talent from Italy, SMAU is building on this momentum. The Milan edition will facilitate further relations between international and Italian stakeholders, with a number of workshops, conferences, meetings and pitching opportunities.

Hunting for innovators

Some of the most interesting startups in Europe are originally Italian. Behind this surge in innovative enterprises there’s a general yearning for growth and change, but also a carefully planned strategy. Part of it is ItaliaRestartsUp, a two-day event promoted by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), that will take place within SMAU and will see over 60 international entrepreneurs and investors meet innovative Italian enterprises, startups, accelerators and incubators. There will be speed-pitching sessions and one-to-one meetings, to facilitate the starting of new collaborations and the sharing of ideas and projects that might benefit from external input.

Open innovation: are you ready?

The most important topics to be discussed in any industry, right now, are those pertaining to innovation and technology. Blockchain, Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, cyber security, FinTech and big data are the keywords that will shape our collective future and many entrepreneurs struggle to keep abreast of the ever-shifting tech scene. Pioneering technologies are changing the way we eat, work, spend money, communicate, engage, relax, keep healthy and learn. In short, they are pervasively shaping every aspect of our lives. The next big challenge of entrepreneurs and innovators is to drive this change to be a positive one, that enriches and improves our existence. This means we need to know what’s next, to work for the change we want and not just for the change we see coming. If knowledge is power, there’s no better place than SMAU to start making your active contribution to open innovation: here you will meet the movers and shakers whose ideas will shape many aspects of our future.
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