At the School of Innovation (SoI), we believe that innovation flourishes when creativity, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary thinking come together. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Springboard of Startups (SoS) initiative—a dynamic platform designed to transform ideas into actionable ventures. SoS is an open forum that brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, and students to engage, learn, and launch startup ideas that have the potential to change industries.
What is SoS?
SoS is more than just a series of workshops or lectures. It’s a hands-on learning environment where participants can test their ideas, refine their strategies, and collaborate with experienced mentors and like-minded peers. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a student with a fresh perspective, or an innovator eager to make an impact, SoS offers the tools and network you need to turn concepts into startups.
Why Springboard of Startups?
The world is full of brilliant ideas, but only a few make it beyond the drawing board. SoS is our way of bridging the gap between ideation and execution. Here’s what sets SoS apart:
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration: Students and professionals from diverse fields come together to exchange ideas. Whether you’re in engineering, business, design, or another discipline, everyone is welcome, and every perspective is valuable.
- Expert guidance: SoS participants have access to mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovation experts. These mentors offer insights, share real-world experiences, and help participants navigate the startup ecosystem.
- Practical experience: SoS is designed to be immersive. Participants work on real-world problems, develop prototypes, and pitch ideas to potential investors and stakeholders. This means the lessons you learn go far beyond theory—you’ll leave with practical, applicable skills.
- Open platform for creativity: The flexibility of the SoS platform ensures that everyone can explore their interests and passions. From tech startups to social enterprises, the possibilities are endless.
Matchmaking: Do you need key expertise to develop your business idea? Are you a talented innovator eager to test your skills, but without a project? With SoS you can find your match and create the perfect team.
Every Tuesday: a sacred space for innovation
Every Tuesday evening from 5 pm to 8 pm, the School of Innovation is reserved for SoS. SoS is a sacred space where (aspiring) innovators can leave the world behind and focus 110% on their projects, working with teammates under the supervision of expert mentors.
But that’s not all—guest speakers are always available for discussions, and SoI professors offer valuable glimpses into entrepreneurial education. Every project developed in SoS has the potential to become a real startup. In the second part of the year, these projects can also be enriched by collaborations with students from the Startup Lab course. Read more about Startup Lab here.
Sign up for the new dedicated SOS newsletter HERE!
SoS opening event: a glimpse of what’s to come
We kicked off the SoS journey on October 15th, 2024, with a highly anticipated opening event at VIA T. GAR 16/2 in Trento. The event featured two keynote speakers: Riccardo Osti, founder of Wonderflow, and Stefano Prosseda, innovation manager at Würth. Their stories inspired us all, emphasizing the importance of resilience, innovation, and collaboration in the entrepreneurial world.
Participants had the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers, network with fellow attendees, and get a taste of what the upcoming SoS sessions will offer.
Register on Eventbrite for the SoS opening!
What’s next for SoS?
Following the opening event, the Springboard of Startups will host a series of interactive sessions where participants will:
Learn key strategies for launching and scaling a startup
Develop business models and refine pitches
Collaborate with peers on innovative projects
Access resources to support early-stage ideas
Connect with key talents and like-minded innovators to develop your idea
These sessions will be tailored to address the challenges that early-stage entrepreneurs face, while providing tools and frameworks that will help ideas thrive in the competitive startup landscape.
Why join SoS?
The journey from idea to startup can be a challenging one, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. SoS gives you the support network you need to succeed—whether that’s through mentorship, feedback from industry experts, or collaboration with other passionate individuals. If you’ve ever dreamt of launching your own venture, now is the time to take that first step.
Ready to join the Springboard of Startups?
Whether you’re ready to build the next big tech startup, tackle a global challenge through social innovation, or simply want to develop entrepreneurial skills, the Springboard of Startups is your platform to make it happen.
Stay tuned for more updates and session details, and don’t miss your chance to become part of the SoS community!