Sisal SPA, the operating firm of Italy’s SuperEnalotto national lottery draw, continues its funding of talent development projects for Italy’s new workforce, with the hosting of its ‘GoBeyond’ competition.
Entering its fifth year, Sisal’s innovation competition is co-hosted with investment fund CVC Capital Partners and aims to advance the development of Italian start-ups focused on social impact and enterprise.
Students and young entrepreneurs across Italy will be given the chance to put forward project ideas for the chance to win a €40,000 equity-free grant, in addition to expert guidance from Italy’s highest authorities of tech and innovation.
The four previous GoBeyond competitions had received more than 600 applications from start-ups, awarding the eight winning ideas with prizes for a total value of + €300,000.
GoBeyond 2021 will see start-ups and entrepreneurs focus on the key areas of improving business sustainability and expanding digital adoption for all Italian communities and generations.
Launching the 2021 competition, Sisal has made a further pledge, as an Italian female-led start-ups will be guaranteed a ‘dedicated six month plan’ developed by business accelerator the Impact Hub Benefit Company ‘to speed up the entry of female start-ups into the market’.
Francesco Durante, CEO of Sisal, said: “Every year I look forward to the opening of applications for Gobeyond, as I firmly believe that support for young people and their ideas is fundamental for the economic and social progress of a country.
“I believe that companies like Sisal should be actively and continually committed to the progress of society…To build a more responsible future, we need to do more to encourage those who are developing innovative ideas to help society.”