“Start Attractor” match, the new innovation structure of the University of Pisa

PISA – The activities of Start Attractor, the new structure of the University of Pisa to encourage innovation, are underway. It is not a simple incubator, but “a tool to make collaboration with the world of business and work more effective and investors.” Project on which the University of Pisa has been working for over a year and which saw, yesterday, the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the project partners: Ferrero and Sofidel SPA. The signing of the agreement took place in Pisa on the occasion of the Converging Skills event at the Polo Le Benedettine.

With the unveiling of the partners and then the signature, the activity of Start Attractor officially began, the structure strongly supported by the University of Pisa to invest in the valorisation of knowledge and to promote a sustainable ecosystem for the cultural, social and economic growth of the village.

“Two major partners have signed an expression of interest” – explains the University of Pisa in a note – while negotiations are underway for the acquisition of further partners.

“The link between the productive world and the University of Pisa is essential for us, and our investments also demonstrate this – explained the rector Riccardo Zucchi – From the very beginning we worked in this direction with awareness-raising activities aimed externally , but also within us, and the first important fruits can be seen today, with this initiative”.

Start Attractor’s growth plan includes investments by the University in the coming years and an initial hiring plan of around 5 positions, growing to around 15.

“We plan to set up the Foundation after the summer and start open innovation projects and need/offer matching events as early as next January – urges Corrado Priami, vice-rector to the valorization of knowledge and its impact of the University of Pisa – where the needs are expressed by large companies, which have a better vision of the market than the University, and the offer of innovation is provided by research and solutions produced by innovation ecosystem that revolves around the University of Pisa”. And he continues: “The possibility of being included in an important network of contacts is, according to all international studies, the main launch factor for young companies. Hence the idea of ​​setting up a club in which it is possible for the participants to interact in an informal way and therefore to define concrete projects of shared growth”.

The University of Pisa announces that today, during the second day of Converging Skills, the names of the first beneficiaries of the Start Attractor services will be announced.