As part of the initiatives of the Acting Scouting Days, the Agire Foundation launched a new service this year for SMEs who want to innovate. With Scouting for innovation, the Foundation promotes innovation in Ticino companies, stimulating them to implement innovative projects in new ways, which go beyond company boundaries.
Thus, companies can draw on new ideas to expand their product and service portfolio and at the same time experiment with new innovation processes.
The Agire format allows to accompany the company in this process: from the conception of the call, to the promotion through its wide network of contacts in the academic world and in that of startups, to then conclude with the closing of the call and the selection of the winner. At the end of the collection and selection process, the co-organization of a final event at the Tecnopolo Ticino is envisaged, during which the best idea is awarded, which will then be implemented according to the directives given by the promoting company. The terms, evaluation criteria, prizes and methods of developing the idea are at the discretion of the company, while the function of Fondazione Agire is to accompany the process and activate its network of contacts.
The first company that came into contact with Agire to take advantage of this new service was the historic Sintetica SA of Mendrisio which, this year, is also celebrating its centenary. Sintetica launched a “call” at the end of spring to look for a new idea in the field of perioperative care and critical care with a focus on digitization. Although this is a very specific area, 19 projects were submitted, 7 of which are based in Ticino.
At the end of the process, the auditorium of the Suglio Business Center in Manno was awarded the idea of InkVivo, a startup based in Ticino, which presented an innovative solution, developed with a 3D printer, to reduce in a local and targeted way postoperative pain.
InkVivo, led by Elia Guzzi, today wins a prize pool of 25 thousand made available by Sintetica SA. The ceremony took place in the presence of the leaders of Sintetica, the Agire Foundation and representatives of the University of Italian Switzerland who, through their incubator USI Startup Center, awarded the second and third classified, AnastoSeal and Hemotune, with hours coaching.
The Agire Foundation is satisfied with this first experience of the "Scouting for innovation" format which has allowed it to further refine the offer to companies and has contributed to expanding its network of contacts.
For future editions, the companies will be selected in collaboration with the economic associations AITI and the Chamber of Commerce.
Companies interested in this support service can contact the Agire Foundation or visit the site.
Fondazione Agire
The Agire Foundation, founded in 2011, is the innovation agency of the Canton of Ticino and aims to promote innovation and technological development, helping to increase competitiveness and create highly qualified jobs in its territory.
The Technopole
Tecnopolo Ticino, managed by the Agire Foundation, offers Manno spaces for startups and innovative companies, creating an ecosystem favorable to their growth. It is currently home to about thirty young companies active in the most diverse sectors. The Technopole is an excellent meeting point for entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors.
