Fostering startup culture in Italy
Service Design, Facilitation, Design Sprint, Workshop
Category ~ Open Innovation Event
In 2019, I proposed a collaboration with the Silicon Valley Study Tour aimed at bringing valuable knowledge and skills that originated in Silicon Valley to Italy, broadening their mission beyond simply sending a select few to SVST.
The Silicon Valley Study Tour is a no-profit that connects talented young italians with italian entrepreneurs who had success in the Silicon Valley.
The challenge
Italy faces challenges such as a lack of startup culture, risk aversion, bureaucratic hurdles, and individualistic mindsets, hindering the growth of its entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Scope
The initiative aimed to democratize entrepreneurial education, catalyzing a cultural shift towards innovation and collaboration in Italy. It aimed to provide participants with practical skills and foster a supportive community conducive to startup success.
Research
Research began with extensive secondary research into startup ecosystems and economic challenges in Italy, emphasizing high youth unemployment and brain drain. Primary research involved interviews with diverse stakeholders—entrepreneurs, investors, and students—to understand gaps and opportunities in the local entrepreneurial landscape.
Definition
Based on my research, I defined the following requirements: Creating an immersive event experience, Creating content to educate participants on Lean and service design methodologies, and Developing a repeatable format for the event.
Development
The project progressed iteratively, starting with foundational workshops introducing startup methodologies. Feedback informed the evolution of subsequent workshops, focused on practical application and idea development.
Delivery
Following successful pilot tests with groups of 25-30 participants, we proposed a collaboration with SVST to amplify our impact across Italy, shifting the focus from individual trips to Silicon Valley. This partnership culminated in the SVST Hackathon, a three-day event capable of accommodating over 100 participants. The inaugural SVST Hackathon held in Liguria was a remarkable success, significantly empowering participants who reported feeling more empowered, knowledgeable, and collaborative than before.
Outcome
By training new facilitators and leveraging SVST's robust network, the initiative expanded nationally, reaching over 500 participants. This widespread adoption has nurtured innovation and entrepreneurial endeavours, positively impacting Italy's startup ecosystem.
