Choosing to act on Impact Entrepreneurship

Sustainability, technology, health, education – our first Option-E cohort in Turin tackled grand challenges during the spring semester. Last week, they presented their projects in their final event “Choose to act! Pitch your project for change”.

A new Generation of Entrepreneurs

Since January, the students who chose the ESCP Business School Master in Management specialization Option-E in Turin, have fully immersed in all things Impact Entrepreneurship.  The course enable students to create their own business with an economic, social, and environmental impact. ESCP Business School and Cottino Social Impact Campus co-designed the course. On 22 April, the teams got back together for their final pitches.

Alisa Sydow, Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at ESCP Business School in Turin, hosted the event. “It was a very exciting journey in which I was able to see how all groups turned their initial ideas into concrete business models and convincing pitches: ready for action!”, she expressed.

Pitches for Change

A jury composed of Davide Cecchini, Vincenzo Macrì, Laura Orestano, Alessandro Panerai, Francesco Rattalino, and Marcello Tedeschi joined Alisa for the event. Moreover, René Mauer, European coordinator of the Jean-Baptiste Say Institute and Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at ESCP Berlin Campus, delivered a welcome message.

Next, the students took the floor. All six teams pitched in front of their classmates and the jury on Zoom. External guests were able to join via a YouTube live stream (which is still available, feel free to watch!). The teams were AvoMammas, Cloudwise, ITiva, Park-IT, Peerlivery, and U-Class. All pitches and sharp reflections in the Q&A session with the jury, the students demonstrated their critical and independent mindset, as well as an ability to create value by promoting sustainability. Afterwards, Alberto Cartasegna, founder and CEO of Miscusi, gave an inspiring keynote speech.

Awards for the Best Projects

Finally, Francesco Rattalino announced the winner of the pitching competition: Cloudwise! The team is made up of Pietro Carabelli, Francesco Cundari, Giada Gatti, Caterina Nassi and Romain Van Gaver. Cloudwise increases the awareness of emissions created by digital communications, such as emails, file storage and social media. Through providing consulting and certificates to businesses, Cloudwise aims to reduce digital footprints. The team won €500, which they donated to the non-profit Protect Our Winters.

Moreover, Park-IT, was awarded in the “Good care” category for the excellent teamwork done during the semester. The team members Gian Nicolò Bernini, Hugo Fixot, Arianna Pricco and Ruben Rinaldi developed sustainable and safe bicycle parking silos in Milan, encouraging more people to cycle to work. Congratulations to the two winning teams!