On May 30, the “Start-Up Lab,” an intensive course offered by the School of Innovation that took place between March and May, concluded successfully. This training program involved numerous students, leading them to develop innovative ideas and engage in a stimulating and dynamic environment. The final event, Demo Day, featured the presentation of brilliant projects and the victory of Threpsy, alongside other exceptional teams.
Course Structure
The “Start-Up Lab” is much more than a course: it is an exciting journey that transforms an idea into a successful startup. From March to May, students participated in theoretical lectures, practical workshops, and mentoring sessions with industry experts. Each team worked hard to develop their ideas, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles. And they weren’t alone: each group was mentored by an entrepreneur or manager who volunteered their time to guide them along the way. The mentors encouraged the teams to go out and talk to potential customers to understand the true value of their ideas. For Threpsy, this meant pivoting from a B2C to a B2B model, targeting nutritionists rather than end-users directly.
- Team formation and idea development: Students were divided into groups and began working on their startup ideas, with the goal of turning them into concrete projects.
- Mentoring sessions and thematic workshops: Throughout the course, the teams participated in numerous mentoring sessions with industry experts, who offered valuable advice and constructive feedback. Additionally, workshops on specific topics allowed students to delve deeper into crucial aspects of business, such as marketing, financial management, and project presentation.
- Ongoing support from mentors: Each team is paired with a mentor—an entrepreneur or manager who volunteers their time to help one or more teams develop a scalable and replicable business idea. Mentors encourage teams to get out there, talk to potential customers and users, and understand the true value of their idea. In the case of Threpsy, this allowed the team to pivot from a Business-to-Consumer (B2C) model to a Business-to-Business (B2B) model, selling to nutritionists rather than directly to users.
- Progress and challenges faced by participants: The teams worked hard to overcome difficulties and refine their ideas, preparing for the final Demo Day event.
Demo Day: A Showdown of Innovative Ideas
Demo Day on May 30 was the big moment, eagerly awaited by all students and mentors from day one. The teams presented their projects before a panel of experts and an enthusiastic audience. It was a day of intense excitement, where each presentation was evaluated based on criteria of innovation, feasibility, and potential market impact.
The Demo Day Winning Teams
Among the many projects presented, some stood out particularly for their originality and potential for success. Threpsy took first place thanks to its innovative idea and solid presentation. In addition to Threpsy, other teams also received significant recognition:
- Threpsy: Threpsy is an app that uses artificial intelligence to revolutionize personalized nutrition management. Thanks to an advanced algorithm, the app is able to create customized diets for users, taking into account their food preferences, health conditions, and nutritional goals. Read more about Threpsy and Threpsy Wins Demo Day.
- Artsapp: An innovative matchmaking platform designed to connect artists with art exhibition curators.
- Tiro: An all-in-one platform dedicated to matching students with companies for internships.
- Dresst: A marketplace with a 3D sizing system that connects consumers with Italian fashion companies.
Other proposals focused on technological innovation to improve quality of life:
- Off-Sound: A wearable device that allows people to have greater privacy while talking on the phone in public spaces.
- Awakening: A seat cover that uses sensors to detect and prevent drowsiness and can be installed in any car.
- SoSafe: A portable, customizable button that allows users to seek help immediately in case of danger.
- Rideguard: A smart, autonomous, reusable, and motionless airbag device designed to protect motorcyclists’ necks.
Artificial intelligence has dominated other innovative ideas:
- Autoway: Autonomous driving systems on agricultural machinery for harvesting hazelnuts.
- Wander: A reliable, instantly available, and affordable travel guide.
- Sentimate: An app designed to improve employee well-being within a company.
- Bellabite: An app that simplifies managing the food in your fridge for recipe preparation.
Finally, Internet of Things systems were the foundation of projects such as:
- Pas: An advanced virtual reality psychotherapy solution.
- NoPanic: A device based on a magnetic field sensor system and a magnet that prevents pickpocketing.
- SafeYou: A system that uses a microstation and a mobile app to monitor the structural health of one’s home.
Impact of the Course on Participants
The “Start-Up Lab” had a significant impact on participants, as evidenced by the numerous positive testimonials. Students acquired practical skills, learned to work in teams, and gained experience dealing with real-world business challenges. The skills acquired and experiences gained during the course will be fundamental to their professional futures.
Interviews
Alessandro Rossi, the rector’s delegate for support to the production system, commented: “Compared to previous editions, this year’s program saw an even closer connection with the Trentino ecosystem that supports the birth and development of entrepreneurial ideas. Our goal is to take young people’s ideas from the initial stage to a pre- -acceleration level. That’s why we offer them Business Design, the UniTrento program that prepares their projects for the next stages: programs. Examples include the Trentino Startup Valley program or iNest, the entrepreneurship startup program for universities in the Northeast.”
Alberto Giovannetti of Threpsy shared: “Our experience at the Start-Up Lab was crucial to our growth. At first, we were focused on a B2C idea, but thanks to the mentors and their encouragement to talk to potential customers, we pivoted toward B2B, targeting nutritionists. This allowed us to refine our product and make it more useful and scalable. Having a program like the Start-Up Lab is crucial for generating and developing an idea. From classroom sessions to team building, we were guided by expert mentors who helped us explore the market and prepare a pitch that would attract institutional investors.”
Elisabetta Florio of Threpsy added: “This course not only allowed us to apply many things we learned in the classroom during our university studies, but it also helped us understand firsthand what it means to launch a startup and become a ‘founder.’ The importance of continuous support from mentors and direct engagement with the market was fundamental to our success.”
Conclusions
The outcome of the “Start-Up Lab” and Demo Day is extremely positive. The course proved to be a unique opportunity for students to explore the world of startups, develop innovative ideas, and present them to an audience of experts. The successes achieved this year are just the beginning, and the School of Innovation is already working to organize the next editions of the course. We invite all interested students to participate and seize this extraordinary opportunity.
In short, Start-Up Lab isn’t just a course—it’s a life-changing experience!
Acknowledgments
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the mentors, judges, and sponsors who made “Start-Up Lab” possible. A special thank you to the School of Innovation and the University of Trento for their ongoing support and commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among students.