By Martin Olczyk, Managing Director of Techstars Transformative World Torino

Techstars Torino Accelerator Expands into Transformative World: From Smart Mobility to Cities of the Future and Now, Embracing the Transformative World - Building on Success and Broadening Horizons - We’re accepting applications!

We believe in transformative ideas and invest in the world of tomorrow - The Torino Cities of the Future Techstars accelerator is thrilled to announce the expansion of our program. Building on the success of our Smart Mobility and Cities of the Future themes, we are now broadening our scope to a Transformative World. This evolution allows us to invest in and support companies that are not only shaping the future of mobility and urban living but also those that are creating a lasting change in the world of tomorrow.

Our growth is not just thematic. We are delighted to welcome Sheila Simon, joining us as Program Manager, a seasoned team member who has already worked with us during two programs, to our core team. Her experience and insights will undoubtedly enrich our program and provide invaluable support to our participating startups. We also say ‘thank you’ to our Investment Manager, Antonio Pisante, for his amazing work over the past four years, he was instrumental in the program’s success, and will transition into a part-time EIR role while embarking on his entrepreneurial journey! Furthermore, we’ll soon add two additional full-time team members who will support our founders during and beyond the program.

We are proud to continue our successful partnership with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Fondazione CRT (through Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita-CRT ), and Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center. Our base remains at OGR Torino, a hub of innovation and a testament to the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Turin, Italy.

Our accelerator programs have seen remarkable success. To date, our portfolio companies have raised over €85 million, and we have already celebrated two exits (Nickelytics & ThinkOutside). These achievements underscore the value and impact of our accelerator program, and we are excited to build on this momentum as we expand into the Transformative World.

As we grow, we are deepening our collaboration with entities like Torino City Lab, local VCs, and corporates. This allows us to offer startups a refined and robust accelerator program, honed over four years of operation. Our aim is to provide an environment that fosters innovation, facilitates connections, and propels startups to their next level of success.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we invite ambitious and innovative startups to become part of our portfolio and apply to our accelerator. We are excited about emerging sectors that have the potential to create considerable environmental and societal value across the ESG/SDG spectrum over the next few years. We invest in companies that will enable fundamental transformation and impact across industries and geographies. Together, we can shape the Transformative World and create a future that is more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. 

Applications for our next program are now open. We look forward to meeting the entrepreneurs who will join us on this journey. We have been fortunate enough to back and learn from +45 pioneering teams and we are excited about these sectors and their ability to shape a transformative future:

• Decarbonization/Net Zero/Circular Economy: In the spirit of ESG and our commitment to a sustainable future, we are enthusiastic about championing ‘planet-positive’ initiatives. This encompasses projects dedicated to pioneering new materials and systems in the realm of decarbonization, striving for a net-zero future, and promoting a circular economy. We want to support companies that aim to significantly diminish carbon emissions, waste, and pollution, furthering our goal of creating a more balanced and prosperous planet.

• Health & Safety: We are excited about ventures that are at the intersection of machine learning, bio, and other fields, with the ultimate aim of creating a healthier and safer world.

• AI Technologies & Advanced Computing: We're drawn to the potential of Generative AI, Synthetic AI, and Industrialized AI, recognizing their transformative power across industries. 

• Digital Asset Creator Communities: We're keen on backing platforms that empower creators in the digital asset space which can be anything from digital artwork to software tools, virtual reality spaces, and even blockchain-based tokens or collectibles.

• Exponential Intelligence or AI 2.0: This involves data interpretation capabilities that surpass human potential using a variety of rapidly advancing technologies like analytics, big data, artificial intelligence, IoT, machine learning, and more. It supports businesses in continuous learning, agile process rethinking, and customer-centric solution development.

• Quantum Computing: We're keen on the revolutionary possibilities of quantum computing, given its potential to solve complex problems beyond the capabilities of classical computers.

• Cyber Security: In an increasingly connected world, we're focusing on investments in robust cyber security solutions to protect digital infrastructures.

• Ambient Experience: Life Beyond the Glass: We're interested in technologies that create immersive, ambient experiences, seamlessly integrating digital and physical spaces.

• Hyperautomation: We're eager to support ventures that utilize advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning to automate processes, augment human capabilities, and enhance productivity.

We continue to invest in Smart Mobility and Cities of the Future solutions - read more about the verticals in our previous announcements: Investment Thesis of 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020.

Connect and Meet Us

Applications are open now through November. 

You can meet us during virtual and in-person office hours. We’ll be traveling across several European cities, you can already mark your calendars to meet us in Milan during TechChill and Torino during Italian Tech Week in September. Follow our LinkedIn page for further updates.

You can apply for 1:1 office hours here. If you want to apply to the accelerator program directly, please visit our applications website.

We’re excited to kick off the next in-person program at OGR Torino, Italy’s largest tech hub, on February 12, 2024.

Follow me on Linkedin for the latest updates about the program and stay tuned for further announcements.

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