Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center promotes "Circularity Goes Digital"

"Circularity goes digital" starts, an open innovation initiative with which digital startups will have the opportunity to meet corporate companies and SMEs that are seizing the strategic opportunities offered by the Circular Economy.

To promote the post-COVID-19 recovery, it is essential to rethink the economic cycle in terms of the Circular Economy and support companies towards this paradigm shift through ecosystem partnerships that aim for sustainable growth.

The startups participating in "Circularity goes digital" will be asked to develop "design out waste & pollution" products and processes - to accelerate the design of zero waste products and processes based on renewable sources - "supply chain optimization" - to increase the 'effectiveness and optimizing the business models of the Circular Economy, especially in terms of an integrated supply chain - and of “products & materials life extension” - to develop the infrastructure necessary to keep products and materials in use for longer.

The "Circularity goes digital" initiative will take place in three phases, the first of which will be held between September and December. In this phase, the startups that have submitted their application will be selected and who will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive workshop and match making meetings with companies interested (second phase).

In the last phase, which will take place in the first six months of 2021, collaborations between the selected companies and startups will be activated, by defining any pilot projects and their development through the definition of an activity plan.

In this phase, Microsoft will ensure technological support and access to Microsoft for Startups programs, while Intesa Sanpaolo will be responsible for evaluating the projects for possible access to its credit limit dedicated to the Circular Economy.

"Circularity goes digital" is an initiative promoted by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center - a company of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group dedicated to the frontier of innovation - Cariplo Factory, the innovation hub created by the Cariplo Foundation, and Microsoft and will be implemented by the Circular Economy Lab ( CE Lab), the laboratory of Cariplo Factory and Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center created to support circular business models and accompany companies towards the new economic-production model.