Under its original business plan, I3P was expected to break even within three years. In 2003, the objective was reached to plan, thanks also to I3P's participation in national and European initiatives, and the funding that such projects brought. Support for the start-up of new enterprises through the preincubation process was given an extra boost with the establishment of a special business skills course. New partnerships were also forged in 2003: at the local level with the Torino Wireless Foundation, whilst at the national level, I3P became a promoter of the National Innovation Award.
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The IUnet Project
Iunet was one of the projects that helped I3P reach its break-even point. Funded by the Ministry of Industry, the IUnet project aims to establish a network of incubators which focus their attention on knowledge-based enterprises, and which draw benefits from both the close ties they enjoy with the universities they belong to and research centres, and their relationship with the local economic fabric of small and medium-sized enterprises. The goal of the network is hence to encourage the exchange of experiences by university enterprise incubators and pursue projects of utility to all network participants. Project participants: Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa, University “Tor Vergata” of Rome, and the University “Federico II” of Naples.
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The Launch of the Business Skills Course
The preincubation programme available to all applicants wishing to enter I3P was given a further boost with the establishment of a special business skills course, promoted in partnership with LISEM and COREP. The approach taken by the course saw it closely linked to the Galileo Ferraris Competition, as students and aspiring entrepreneurs worked together to draw up a business plan for the business idea presented at the competition. The objective was to build both technical and managerial skills which can then be used in developing business feasibility studies and drawing up business plans. In this way, course participants were given the opportunity to assess and hone their business skills. The launch of the course attracted great interest, with some 140 enrolment applications received.
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Gate2Growth
is a European Union project designed to promote the exchange of knowledge and best practices between entrepreneurs and investors. Over 70 European university enterprise incubators participated in the project, to compare and exchange models and foster the development of new innovative business ideas. I3P joined the project and attended the kick-off meeting held in September 2003, in Stuttgart.
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> International Networks and Projects
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The MIP – Starting an Own Business – Service of the Province of Torino
I3P is a member of the ATI business group established to manage the free MIP services promoted by the Province of Torino to help aspiring entrepreneurs start their own businesses. The project has been possible thanks to funding from the EU, the Ministry of Employment and Welfare, and the Piedmont Region, earmarked under Measure D3 of Regional Operational Programme Objective 3
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Partnership Forged with the Torino Wireless Foundation
The partnership forged in 2003 with the Torino Wireless Foundation was an important one as it guaranteed the resources and drive needed for the most innovative business ideas to achieve success, and attracted initiatives of hi-tech content and high economic potential to the local territory. In return, the agreement opened up a special fast-lane for entry into I3P for start-ups recommended by the Foundation. At the same time, Torino Wireless committed its support to I3P in activities relating to enterprise incubation, by participating in the appraisal of business ideas and sponsoring an award for the best start-up or spin-off in the ICT sector.
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26-28/11 PAXIS WORKSHOP – Zooming in on European Excellence
Organised by I3P as part of the 1st Local Development Fair of Torino, the workshop brought together representatives from the 22 European areas of “excellence” in innovative enterprise creation, including those belonging to the Highest network. The workshop was an opportunity to take a closer look at foreign experiences and highly advanced initiatives, and compare them to developments in the Torino Area.
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ROOM TO MOVE
The Politecnico di Torino frees up a further 600m2 for I3P |
IV edition - The 2003 Galileo Ferraris Competition
93 participating groups
THE WINNERS
1° prize 15.000 euro Nemo System
2°prize 10.000 euro EM System
3° prize 5.000 euro Dream
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Bologna - December
PNI – The Inaugural 2003 National Innovation Award
Universities for enterprise creation. The year 2003 saw the kick-off of the national innovative business plan competition, for innovative ideas developed within university circles, of which I3P is a promoter. The competition is a sort of play-off between the winners of the local business plan competitions run by the Politecnico di Milano, the Politecnico di Torino, the University of Bologna, the University of Padova, and the University of Udine. The Award, developed in partnership with Giovani Imprenditori di Confindustria, is itinerant, and held in a different university every year. The inaugural 2003 Award was held and co-ordinated by the University of Bologna. |
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The winners
The group Optimum of Udine was awarded the first prize of €60,000 for its business idea developing laser technology for the diagnosis and less-invasive treatment of damage to the retina. Second prize was awarded to the project Bone Promoting by a group from the University of Padova, which developed a medical device for oral implants.
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7 ENTERPRISES LEAVE I3P: Liquid Thought • E-Gate • EuroConcepts • GIS 2000 • GRINP • Itrex • Reset
12 NEW ENTERPRISES JOIN I3P: Seac02 • Dynamic Fun • Thya Technologies • Sicurante • Scientific Computing & Applied Inverse Problem • Emotiv • I-Plug • ATS • Faber Software • Caspertech • Ovolab • CS Domotica
