Progetto Manifattura is ready to launch the Startup Accelerator, the acceleration program for start-ups that fight climate change.

The initiative, funded through the European Climate-KIC program, aims to support the development of new companies with low environmental impact and good prospects of success on the market. Five Italian startups won the first phase of the contest, receiving a training voucher worth 5,000 Euro and the opportunity to access the co-working spaces at Progetto Manifattura and the tutoring and networking services of Trentino Sviluppo. The awarded companies are: Windcity, Phonomie Vibes, SiWeGo, EVClick and AdaptEV.

More specifically, Windcity presented an innovative hydrokinetic system for the creation of energy, which can also be used in lakes and seas that have a low current flow.

Phononic Vibes conquered the jury with its noise barrier for large infrastructures, such as railwaysor highways, entirely built with recycled materials.

The award will allow SiWeGo to focus on the development of its car-sharing service for freight, which interlaces the needs of senders and those who - being already on the road - can transport parcels, thus reducing transport costs and traffic.

EVclick, the virtual gallery of brands and services for electric vehicles, aims to create a competent and specialized sector market.

Finally, AdaptEV proposes the iGreengo app, a sort of “Airbnb of green areas” that puts owners of monumental gardens, stately parks, farm estates and private beaches in connection with possible users who are interested in renting the location for leisure time, shooting or specific events. An environmentally friendly exchange, given that the owner of the facility commits to reinvesting part of the proceeds in a project to protect the local environmental ecosystem.

Engaged in a dense schedule of seminars and B2B meetings, the five finalists will participate in the second step of the program promoted by Climate-KIC, during which, in the month of July, Trentino Sviluppo will select three green startups to be supported with a 15,000 Euro grant in the implementation of their commercial activity and in the search for contacts with technological partners and potential customers.

In January 2019, the third phase of the acceleration process will start, aimed at facilitating the pairing between companies and investors through personalized training and assistance activities.

The project is promoted by Trentino Sviluppo in partnership with HIT-Hub Innovazione Trentino, Aster, a system company in the Emilia-Romagna region, and Hera Group, the Bologna multi-utility company for water and energy services.