Innovative startups, as an important dimension of a modern and dynamic economy, the markets on which these economic realities appear, the development of new products and services were discussed during the information forum organized by the Gal “Serre Calabresi”, in scope of the “Tec – Territorial Center” project aimed at communication and dissemination on the topics of local agri-food crops, supply chains, innovation, sustainability, good practices and opportunities deriving from rural development programs.
Fourth of a cycle of five traveling events, the meeting took place in Soverato. The next and last one will be held on December 5th at 5.30 pm in the Council Room of the Municipality of Guardavalle (Cz) and will talk about “Management of Natura 2000 Areas: protected areas and special conservation areas in the Gal area”.
In terms of innovative Startups, as a tool for innovation and research, outlining the dedicated benefits, the innovation expert expressed himself Angelo de Luca. First of all, he focused on the definition of startup: a company, new or established no more than five years ago, with high technological content, with strong growth potential and which therefore represents one of the key points of Italian industrial policy. The startup is resident in Italy, or in another European country, but with a production site or branch in Italy and an annual turnover of less than 5 million euros. It still distinguishes it by having as its exclusive or prevalent corporate object the development, production and marketing of a product or service with high technological value. It employs highly qualified personnel and is the custodian or licensee of at least one patent or owner of registered software. These are some of the features that have been illustrated.
Paolo Ciaccioboard member of Entopan Innovation, represented the strong commitment of Harmonic Innovation Group to support the growth of young talents in global terms and with particular attention to Southern Italy, Calabria and Sicily where, in the coming years, two large hubs will open for innovation. Ciaccio outlined the basic concepts of the “harmonious innovation” paradigm, conceived by Francesco Cicione and strongly rooted in the humanistic and value-based values of the Italian and Mediterranean cultural heritage. He focused on the role of the startup incubator, which aims to bring significant innovations to the market and which require the support of financiers, to be involved through continuous dialogue with stakeholders. He then illustrated the role of Entopan Innovation, the open innovation hub of the Harmonic Innovation Group, which manages, together with the Giacomo Brodolini Foundation, the Italian Innovation Center in Silicon Valley (Innovit), a strategic presence that allows innovation to be brought Made in Italy at the center of global attention. So far, over 300 Italian startups and scaleups have been selected to participate in the support and growth paths promoted by Entopan Innovation.
From those who support the birth to those who have focused on innovation by giving life to startups and creating businesses, making use of a prize, provided by the “Serre Calabresi” Gal, in implementation of the Pal Spes “Strategies to stay” and with reference to the public notice relating to the intervention “The art of local matter. Craftsmanship between tradition and innovation”, aimed at supporting innovative business projects in non-agricultural activities in rural areas (measure 6.2.1 Psr Calabria 2014/2020).
The founding partner took the floor for “Officina Orafa”, founded in 2014 as an innovative startup and now an innovative SME based in Cardinale. Simona Staglianò. «“Officina Orafa” operates in the jewelery production sector, through the application of innovative techniques: from computerized design, to rapid prototyping and automated mass production. In the first years the activity was entirely dedicated to careful stylistic and material research, to the development of a highly innovative manufacturing process, elements which today have allowed “Officina Orafa” to boast high profile know-how and produce and distribute jewelery under its own brand. It was important to be able to access the funds managed by the Gal, with which we were able to purchase: a latest generation computer with specific software for jewelery design, a 3D printer; equipment with laser technologies (such as welding machine and engraver with laser cutting). Tools that have allowed us to reduce errors and possible defects in shape and material, allowing us to offer customers not only high quality products, but also innovative services.” Among the various successes: the participation since 2020 in VicenzaOro, in the space dedicated to the most innovative realities, the participation, through the Ice (Agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian companies) in the design master class aimed at an audience of Chinese professionals, and also the presence in prestigious magazines and sector publications.
For Bruvera Design, the managing director spoke Rosaria Brancatihighlighting the identity of a reality that «integrates traditional artisan techniques with modern technologies, creating unique products that not only preserve the cultural heritage of Squillace, but also promote sustainable practices through the use of natural and local materials». It ranges from embroidery on precious fabrics to luxury leather goods and digital designs. «Bruvera – he continued – is the result of the talent and passion of three professionals who have chosen to invest in their territory. The adoption of modern technologies, such as design software, lasers and e-commerce platforms, allows you to optimize production processes, improve product customization and broaden your visibility internationally, while maintaining a strong connection with traditions local artisans”. He further underlined the need to further develop one’s distinctiveness in a global market, to implement digital marketing strategies, to maximize brand visibility, to establish partnerships and create synergies that favor growth and expansion.
From Antonio Tropianosculptor and philologist, art as an exercise in innovation, a «practice of the useless» as he provocatively defined it, «absolute enemy of the rest, because by its nature it forces one to continue wandering which uproots from the status quo, from the surrounding . It is a continuous exercise of abstraction, of distancing the connotation, not only physical, but visual of our life. Therefore art is not immediately perceivable as something that has its own application. Art, forcing a dislocation, a continuous abstraction, also needs to be the bearer of a capacity for value innovation in civilizations and to do this it is necessary for art to impose “dialogos”, a Greek term which literally means “between the words.” It is precisely between the interstice of words, in the continuous comparison between words that a path is found, which, through material transposition, leads to a thought”.
Carolina Scicchitanodirector of Gal “Serre Calabresi”, outlined the characteristics of the “Tec – Territorial Center” project. A technological and sharing place” which, through multiple forms of communication, aims to increase participation, contributing to the realization of the objectives of the Local Action Plan of the 2014/2022 Strategy which will end on 30 June 2025, starting the new programming that will run until June 2029. A functional information activity also to raise awareness of the work carried out by Gal “Serre Calabresi” as a local development agency. A reality resulting from a public-private partnership, established in 1997 with the priority objective of promoting rural development through the management and implementation of the Pal (Local Action Plan), financed by the Leader II community initiative. The Gal’s reference territory includes 35 municipalities, in an area that extends from the Tyrrhenian to the Ionian, north to Borgia and San Pietro a Maida, south to Guardavalle.
With a view to the wider involvement of local realities, the desire to address the information forum also to the last classes of the evening courses of the schools of Soverato: State Professional Institute for Food and Wine and Hotel Hospitality Services, Higher Education Institute “Guarasci-Calabretta”, Technical Economic address and “Malafarina” Technical Institute. Thanks to the relevant school leaders, was expressed by the director of the Gal, for their availability and the wide participation received.
The mayor of Soverato, Daniele Vacca he complimented the activity carried out by the Gal, which has repeatedly made its municipality the protagonist with various initiatives and highlighted the importance of startups, in a globalized world, being linked to the peculiarities of the territory.