Five cooperative startups have been awarded as part of the third edition of Coopstartup Piemonte. The winning projects range from social dentistry to sustainable agriculture, from inclusive logistics to cultural innovation, and were selected from eighteen applications submitted. The initiative is promoted by Legacoop Piemonte in collaboration with the Coopfond mutual fund, with the aim of supporting the creation of new cooperatives attentive to innovation, sustainability and contemporary mutual models.
The Coopstartup project is carried out under the patronage of the Piedmont Region, the City of Turin, the City of Novara and Unioncamere Piemonte, with the support of various partners such as the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, the University of Turin, 2i3T, Polytechnic University of Turin, I3P, University of Eastern Piedmont, Nova Coop, Inforcoop Ecipa Piemonte and SocialFare.
The award ceremony took place on Friday 18 July 2025 at the headquarters of Legacoop Piemonte in Turin. The young companies Cos, Txt Coop di comunità, Arca Studios, Il Borgo Verde and ConTrasporto were awarded, which received a non-repayable contribution of 5,000 euros each, as well as vouchers for consulting services and specialized training. In addition to the main prizes, special awards were given by the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation to Txt Coop di comunità and Ellipsy for social and cultural impact, and an award by Nova Coop for the best initiative in the field of sustainability, awarded to Txt Coop di comunità. During the day, the future opening of the fourth edition of the call, scheduled for the autumn, was also announced.
Dimitri Buzio, President of Legacoop Piemonte, said: “Our goal is to become an accelerator of cooperative enterprises in key sectors for the future, such as innovation and sustainability, while enhancing new models of mutuality. In recent years we have built a network of partners that continues to grow, from Piedmontese universities to local foundations: strategic connections to create real opportunities for our startups“.
Gabriele De Gasperin, head of the Promotion Area of Legacoop Piemonte, underlined: “In three editions we have seen the birth of solid cooperatives, with innovative visions rooted in the territory. Coopstartup is growing year by year, and we want it to continue to be a point of reference for those who choose the cooperative model to do business and generate change”.
The Councillor for Cooperation of the Piedmont Region Andrea Tronzano said: “Coopstartup Piemonte is a very important initiative for young people and for those who have business ideas and who can find support for implementation in the Legacoop mutual fund. Through projects like this we can tell young people not to be afraid of their future and to invest in themselves to become entrepreneurs, because without entrepreneurs there is no development and there are no employees either. Thanks to Legacoop Piemonte for this call because I believe it represents a starting point for companies that can create added value“.
The Deputy Mayor of the City of Turin Michela Favaro added: “Turin is a city with a strong industrial vocation, which is an integral part of its history and its present, but with an eye to the future, as a place of innovation, named European Capital of Innovation for 2025, and a model for ecological transition. In this scenario, supporting the birth of startups and the development of new talents represents a strategic choice for the economic and social future of the city. Startups are fertile ground for promoting and developing innovation, creating jobs and contributing to the diversification of the entrepreneurial fabric. Investing in talent then means not only enhancing skills, but also attracting investments locally and internationally. This is why we are really very happy to be alongside Legacoop in this project”.
