Sisal opens applications for Gobeyond Italian innovation competition

The competition invites students and entrepreneurs to put forward project ideas for the chance to win a €40,000 (£34,208/$47,122) equity-free grant and access to expert advice. Sisal will this year also offer an acceleration path to support female-led start-ups.

For the 2021 competition – the fifth edition of the initiative – candidates have been asked to submit business ideas in two categories.

The first category focuses on ideas for a sustainable future and innovations aimed at solving societal problems that will have a positive long-term impact on the community. The second category is ideas for a technological and digital country and projects that utilise technology to simplify people’s lives.

“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,” Sisal chief executive Francesco Durante said.

“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.”

The opening of applications comes after Sisal last month announced the launch of its first Innovation Lab with the aim of attracting young digital experts to the business. 

Based at the Agnelli Foundation in Turin, the facility will focus on innovation and developing new ideas within the digital and artificial intelligence spaces and be accessible to universities, research centres and start-ups.

Sisal is one of a number of parties bidding for the fourth National Lottery licence in the UK. The operator has partnered with children’s charity Barnardo’s and telecommunications giant BT on the bid.