At a time when innovation demands speed, vision, and practicality, initiatives like #GenNext Entrepreneurs provide a unique space to experiment, grow, and turn ideas into real solutions. This is where young people can put themselves to the test, explore the challenges of the entrepreneurial world, and contribute firsthand to change.
Imprenditori #GenNext was a three-day hackathon, sponsored by UniCredit in collaboration with the Padua Chamber of Commerce as part of Padua’s Talent Week, designed to introduce 210 students from eight universities in northeastern Italy to the business world. An event that sought to reaffirm the Northeast’s identity as a hotbed of innovation and a magnet for talent, connecting the younger generation with entrepreneurs, managers, and startup founders in an open, concrete, and visionary dialogue.
One challenge, 15 companies, 15 teams, and a winning idea
The TriVenture team, a mixed group led by the University of Trento, collaborated with InfoCamere to tackle one of the 15 proposed business challenges: “How can public data be made more accessible, useful, and strategic for the growth of Italian businesses?”
The answer took the form of Clarity, a smart app that uses AI to analyze and make public data accessible to businesses. The service, structured around three subscription plans, helps companies quickly identify the most relevant information for their sector and turn it into competitive advantages.
From problem analysis to prototyping, right through to the final pitch: in less than 72 hours, TriVenture transformed an idea into a tangible, winning project. Clarity won over the jury—composed of experts from the business and academic worlds—and took home the hackathon’s top prize.
“#GenNext Entrepreneurs wasn’t just a hackathon—it was an extraordinary experience of networking, personal growth, and hands-on learning about how collaboration can solve real-world challenges. The event brought together truly inspiring guests and panelists, who shared concrete advice and authentic reflections on their journeys. A huge thank you to Clover Venture for organizing such a high-impact initiative, and to UniCredit for their support. It absolutely deserves to become an annual tradition.”
Gabriele Tealdo
The prize: training, impact, and vision
TriVenture’s success didn’t stop on stage. As recognition for their project, the team members gained access to two top-tier training programs:
- the Clean Tech Academy, a six-month online program organized by the EIT – European Institute of Innovation & Technology, in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Turin;
- the ELIS Innovation Bootcamp, a seven-week intensive program that alternates between online and in-person sessions, with the goal of enhancing entrepreneurial and teamwork skills.
A clear signal from the region
The initiative demonstrated just how ready the Northeast is to embrace young people’s ideas and build solid bridges between universities, companies, and institutions. The topics addressed—from overtourism to sustainability, including AI applied to organizational processes—attest to the openness of the Northeast’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to cross-pollination and innovation.
The TriVenture team exemplifies how a group of motivated students, with the right support and a favorable ecosystem, can generate real impact. Their project is not merely a response to a challenge, but a potential tool for transformation for Italian businesses.