«The regions that suffer a delay compared to other areas of the country, despite a thousand difficulties, today show a reversal of the trend. They are not just data revealed by statistics, they are the sign of the stubbornness to build a different future compared to the past, they are a signal sent to the girls and boys of the South. That is, the idea that, through commitment, it is possible to realize one’s dream without necessarily having to break the roots. Staying or going must be a choice, not a necessity.” This is the message that the Vice President of the European Commission Raffaele Fitto sent to «Xpitch», the day that the University of Calabria and the L’orodicalabria association dedicated to start-ups.
Projects and start-ups
«Xpitch» brought together around ten projects at the Arcavacata university which have already received their first funding from the Calabria region and which have presented themselves to potential investors to obtain further support for the path of their businesses: Intesa Sanpaolo, Nextalia and Bcc Mediocrati. Projects in the field range from the development of artificial intelligence technologies for underwater robotics to the creation of models for the prediction, safety and management of landslides. There are also those who have chosen to guide students in their study paths and help them cover the costs. Fitto reassured the young entrepreneurs who were engaged in their particular ‘X Factor’ at the University club of Arcavacata: «I am with you to tell you that Europe is ready to do its part. It is already doing so with projects aimed at benefiting the many regions of the Union. It’s about knowing how to seize and exploit opportunities.” The vice president of the Commission then addressed the L’orodicalabria association: «I am committed to making this initiative of yours grow, to ensuring that you have an attentive and available interlocutor in the European Commission. Go ahead, you can and must do it. It can already be done”, urged the number two of the European executive, recalling the association’s slogan.
In summer the third edition of the L’0rodicalabria summer school
Orodicalabria is preparing to inaugurate the third edition of the summer school, dedicated to aspiring entrepreneurs, at the end of August. Last year, the four scholarships were awarded to the children of the ‘Carevivà’ project, for speeding up adoption processes: from 9 to 23 May they will fly to Silicon Valley to learn how to create their business, thanks to the support of Harmonic Innovation Group. «I hope that this can be your first experience but not the most beautiful of the journey that awaits you», was the wish of president Pasquale Scaramuzzino who today symbolically handed over the tickets for the trip to San Francisco to the four boys. They will then return to carry out their business in Calabria because «this is what we want to build – underlined the rector of Unical Gianluigi Greco – by supporting young people who want to stay to build their future. We must work in the future with technologies, innovation, ideas to be protagonists of a change that cannot come from the outside, we must build it ourselves. By teaming up and creating alchemy between the institutions.” A commitment that the Calabria region ensures: «We want to build the conditions so that returning or staying is a choice – said Luciana De Francesco on behalf of the regional executive – Here there are projects already financed which today are discussed with possible investors to take steps forward. We want to help ideas grow until they become businesses.”
After the first appointment at Unical, the project will continue with two other appointments: on 22 April a stop at the Magna Grecia University of Catanzaro and on 20 May at the University of Reggio Calabria. Also on these occasions there will be other start-ups on stage to illustrate their activities. Then, appointment with the third edition of the summer school, at the end of August.