Launched on Oct. 20 in San Francisco, the new Center for Innovation “Innovit,” which was established at the encouragement of the Presidency of the Italian Republic and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in order to build an interface between the Italian innovation world and the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem.
Innovit will be managed by Fondazione Brodolini and Entopan Innovation in order to create a platform of choice for innovation inflows and outflows between the Italian Innovation System and the wide and varied innovation ecosystem revolving around San Francisco.
The Center will operate in constant interaction with the Agency for the Promotion Abroad and Internationalization of Italian Companies (ICE) and with the collaboration of the Consulate of Italy in San Francisco, the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco and the Directorate General for the Promotion of the Country System of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
ITA is currently looking for a specialized provider for the Innovation Desk service (hereinafter Awarded Service Provider) to support the Los Angeles office in promoting the Italian innovation ecosystem in the US market.
Desk’s Deliverables:
a) Market analysis
– prepare and update, on semestral basis, market reports focused on innovation topics (innovation ecosystem in US, Cleantech, Cybersecurity, AI, etc.).
– Identify key U.S. interlocutors for the innovation ecosystem industry (venture capitalist, business angels, banks, incubators, accelerators, University, Research Center, and any other counterpart interested in collaborating and investing in Italian startups), through desk research, net– working and participation in event and exhibitions.
– build and update, on a monthly basis, a database of professionals in the innovation ecosystem.
b) Promotional activities
– organization of ITA promotional initiatives (Fairs, Seminars, Webinars, Incoming in Italy, etc.) carried out by ITA Los Angeles in the Innovation/startup sector in close collaboration with the Technology/startup Unit of the Rome Headquarter, according to the annual promotional program. For 2022 and early 2023, are planned the following activities: Global Startup Program 3rd edition, TechCrunch Disrupt, East Meets West, Cleantech Forum, CES 2023, Innovation Talks, Innovation Days and also incoming in Italy (BIAT, SMAU, Maker Faire, etc…).
This list of initiatives is indicative and not exhaustive as other activities not currently planned may be included. In addition, other events may also be scheduled on a client/supplier basis.
– Identification of new events suitable for the promotion of the Italian innovation ecosystem, which may constitute new business opportunities.
c) Assistance
– providing free and paid assistance services to Italian startups, innovative SME’s and intermediary organization (Research Centers, Universities, etc…) interested in entering the US market and reaching American counterparts.
– providing free and paid assistance services to American counterparts interested in creating a partnership or in investing in Italian startup or innovative companies.
d) Information and Communication
– create and distribute, on a weekly basis, set of news on innovation opportunities in Silicon Valley addressed to the Italian ecosystem (startups, innovative SME’s, Research Centers, Universities, etc…) or/and other informative products.
e) Administrative activities
– management the administrative process of all the above activities including the drafting of contracts and all the public procurement activities.
– quarterly reports on the activities carried out, one of which as final report at the end of the contract.
For this purpose, the awarded service provider should appoint a well–qualified project manager who will act as Innovation Desk project manager (referred to herein as the “Innovation Desk”).
The Innovation Desk will actively and closely collaborate with the ITA Los Angeles office, and the other offices in the US network, under the coordination and supervision of the ITA Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, as an interface between ITA Los Angeles Office and the Technology/startup Unit in Italy
more info: https://innovitsf.com/
