Fifteen Italian startups took part in the SportTech acceleration program at INNOVIT – Italian Innovation and Culture Hub, showcasing new ideas and technologies in the field of sports to the Silicon Valley community.
From online competition platforms and sports recovery solutions to virtual coaches and digital technologies designed to enhance performance, the participating startups brought Italian ingenuity and Made in Italy innovation to San Francisco.
Leonardo Nasi, Deputy Consul for Economic and Commercial Affairs, opened the program on behalf of the Consulate General, introducing the INNOVIT project and welcoming the entrepreneurs.
The following day, to celebrate the third Italian Sports Day in the World and in conjunction with the opening of the sports footwear exhibition “Sport Shoes Design – #WeMakeSportHappen” at the Italian Cultural Institute/INNOVIT, the Consulate organized an event featuring a panel on “Sport, Health, and Performance – Italy meets the US”. The discussion was opened by Consul Davide Corriero and moderated by Scientific Attaché Romeo Beccherelli, and focused on opportunities for collaboration and development prospects in the SportTech sector.
The highlight of the program was the Demo Day, held on Thursday, September 24, at INNOVIT, which also provided an opportunity to celebrate the first four years of activity of the Innovation Center. The event was opened by Consul General Massimo Carnelos, and during the evening, the entrepreneurs presented their ideas to investors, companies, researchers, and SportTech experts from the San Francisco Bay Area.
The week concluded at the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco, where the participating startups and the INNOVIT team gathered for a further exchange on prospects for development and opportunities for international collaboration.
The program took place as part of the third edition of the Italian Sports Day in the World, an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry for Sport and Youth to highlight Italian sporting excellence and tell Italy’s story through sport.
The Consulate General extends its sincere gratitude to the INNOVIT team, speakers, partners, and the 15 participating companies for their valuable contribution to the success of the program.
