From social dentistry to sustainable agriculture, from inclusive logistics to cultural innovation: there are five winning projects in the third edition of Coopstartup Piemonte, selected from among 18 candidates for the call for proposals promoted by Legacoop Piemonte in collaboration with the mutual fund Coopfond.
The program aims to support the creation of new cooperative enterprises with a focus on innovation, sustainability, and new-generation mutualistic models.
The initiative and its winners
The Coopstartup project is sponsored by Regione Piemonte, the City of Turin, the City of Novara, and Unioncamere Piemonte, and is also made possible thanks to the support of its operational partners: Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, University of Turin, 2i3T, Politecnico di Torino, I3P, University of Eastern Piedmont, Nova Coop, Inforcoop Ecipa Piemonte, Social Fare.
At the culmination of the award ceremony, held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Legacoop Piemonte headquarters in Turin, the young companies Cos, Txt Coop di comunità, Arca Studios, Borgoverde, and ConTrasporto received a non-repayable grant of €5,000, along with vouchers for consulting and specialized training. In addition to the five main prizes, two special awards were given by the Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo to the projects with the greatest social and cultural impact (Txt Coop di comunità and Ellipsy), and a prize from Nova Coop for the most distinctive initiative in terms of sustainability (Txt Coop di comunità).
The award ceremony was attended by Andrea Tronzano, Councilor for Cooperation of the Piedmont Region, and Michela Favaro, Deputy Mayor of Turin. The launch of the fourth edition of the call for proposals, scheduled for next fall, was also announced at the event.
Investing in the future
“Our goal,” said Dimitri Buzio, President of Legacoop Piemonte, “is to become an accelerator for cooperative enterprises in key sectors for the future, such as innovation and sustainability, while promoting new models of mutuality. In recent years, we have built a network of partners that continues to grow, from Piedmontese universities to local foundations: strategic connections to create real opportunities for our start-ups.”
Gabriele De Gasperin, Head of the Promotion Department at Legacoop Piemonte, emphasised: “In three editions, we have seen the birth of solid cooperatives with innovative visions rooted in the local area. Coopstartup is growing year on year, and we want it to continue to be a point of reference for those who choose the cooperative model to do business and generate change.”
“Coopstartup Piemonte is a very important initiative for young people and those with entrepreneurial ideas who can find support for their projects in Legacoop's mutual fund. Through projects like this, we can tell young people not to be afraid of their future and to invest in themselves to become entrepreneurs, because without entrepreneurs there is no development and there are no jobs either. Thanks to Legacoop Piemonte for this call for proposals because I believe it represents a starting point for businesses that can create added value," said Andrea Tronzano, Councilor for Cooperation of the Piedmont Region.
"Turin is a city with a strong industrial vocation, which is an integral part of its history and present, but with an eye to the future, as a place of innovation, named European Capital of Innovation for 2025, and a model for ecological transition," commented Turin Deputy Mayor Michela Favaro. "In this scenario, supporting the creation of startups and the development of new talent is a strategic choice for the economic and social future of the city. Start-ups are fertile ground for promoting and developing innovation, creating jobs, and contributing to the diversification of the entrepreneurial fabric. Investing in talent means not only valuing skills, but also attracting investment at the local and international level. That is why we are very happy to be working alongside Legacoop on this project."
