Blue Factory ESCP, the business incubator associated with ESCP Business School, has launched an innovative free program aimed at future entrepreneurs and early-stage startups, entitled “From Zero to Startup”. Created thanks to the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation and the collaboration with the Turin Chamber of Commerce, this project aims to provide practical training and networking opportunities for those who want to turn their ideas into entrepreneurial realities, without any participation cost.
The program includes ten meetings for a total of 80 hours of training in Italian, designed to assist participants in validating their ideas, entering the market and managing the risks typical of launching a startup. The conclusion of this path will be the Demo Day, an event in which participants will present their projects to a jury of investors and professionals, thus creating funding opportunities and connection with the local and international entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Francesco Rattalino, Executive Vice-President of ESCP Business School, emphasizes the importance of preparation: “Without a solid preparation and a validated method, ideas risk remaining such, without ever turning into real businesses. In this sense, we want to offer a unique opportunity: free and high-level training to reduce errors, accelerate execution and be ready for the appointment with investors and the market, the moment where the future of the most promising ideas is truly defined”.
Alberta Di Giuli, Rector of the ESCP campus in Turin, adds: “We are proud to launch the From Zero to Startup path, designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs at every stage of their development. Thanks to the collaboration with the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, we offer participants not only top-level training, but also direct access to an international network of experts and investors. The goal is clear: to help new ideas grow sustainably and make a difference on the global scene.”
The program includes 60 hours of classroom training at the new ESCP campus in Turin, as well as 20 hours of mentoring and online sessions with international experts. There will also be moments of team building and networking, essential for creating solid collaborations and new entrepreneurial communities. Simone Marino, Head of Blue Factory Italia, says: “A unique opportunity for those who want to transform their business idea into a concrete reality. Our goal is to provide participants with the necessary tools to face the market, minimizing risks and maximizing the potential of their idea. Thanks to the support of international mentors and the contribution of the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, we aim to train a new generation of entrepreneurs prepared to make a difference“.
“From Zero to Startup” will welcome international participants between the ages of 20 and 50, from newbies to already active entrepreneurs looking to boost their startup. Registration will be open until October 20, and selected participants will be announced in November. The course will start in November 2024 and end in February 2025, with the final Demo Day in which the startups will present their projects. “From Zero to Startup” is created in collaboration with Nexto, OGR Torino, Talent Garden and ToTeM Torino Tech Map.
