The third edition of “BAITE Award” kicks off
Present at the meeting: the Regional Assessor for Finance Barbara Zilli, the Vice President of the Regional Council Stefano Mazzolini, the President of Fondazione Friuli Giuseppe Morandini, the MEP Elena Lizzi, the project manager of NanoValbruna Annalisa
Chirico, the team leading the Baite Award Contest with contest founders Lorenzo Pradella and Roberto Della Marina, and the contest coordinator Stefano Cercelletta of Regeneration Hub Friuli.
For the fifth consecutive year, the NanoValbruna festival, the International Youth Forum for Regeneration, will be held in July in Valbruna (this year between 18th and 24th July).
The Festival is organized by the ReGeneration Hub Friuli association with the crucial contribution of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the Fondazione Friuli. In collaboration with the University of Udine and further significant support from entities such as Banca 360, Confartigianato, and others currently being defined.
The festival has now established itself as one of the most anticipated moments of dialogue and exchange among scientists, entrepreneurs, journalists, visionaries from around the world, and above all, many young people. Together, they tackle the challenges of our time in the heart of the Julian Alps, creating opportunities for educational and professional orientation, and personal growth for the new generations.
Spicca anche quest’anno all’interno della manifestazione promossa da ReGeneration Hub Friuli, il Contest di portata internazionale “BAITE Award”, un concorso di idee – ideato e curato da i contest founders Lorenzo Pradella e Roberto Della Marina con il contest along with contest coordinator Stefano Cercelletta, invites young researchers, students, and aspiring entrepreneurs to present their innovative startup projects. The submission period runs from February 23rd to May 31st.
This year, the contest is enhanced by an exceptional collaboration with Enactus Italy, a non-profit organization dedicated to social action and entrepreneurial education for young talents. Enactus is part of an international network whose mission is to train the leaders of the future. Thanks to this synergy, the Enactus community is invited to participate in the Festival and the Contest this year, providing additional space and a voice
for the younger generations in the spirit of economic, environmental, and social regeneration. ReGeneration Hub Friuli will be present at the Enactus National Competition, scheduled for May 16th and 17th in Rome, serving as a judge and thus helping to identify the national champion team that will represent Italy at the Enactus World Cup. Enactus is part of a network network spanning more than 30 countries and over 1,700 universities worldwide. Annually, it brings together over 3,000 individuals, including some of the most influential and talented accademici e rappresentanti aziendali, alla competizione mondiale. La Enactus World Cup 2024 si terrà ad Astana, Kazakistan, dal 2 al 4 ottobre, e sarà un’ulteriore occasione per ReGeneration Hub Friuli di ampliare la propria visibilità anche a livello internazionale.
The main areas of focus for the contest, represented by the acronym BAITE, encompass themes such as sustainable construction, bio-agriculture, industrial efficiency, micromobility and innovative propulsion systems, renewable energy and storage, and sustainable tourism.
The authors of the best projects will be evaluated by a high-profile jury, composed of scientists, entrepreneurs, educators, and national and international experts. They will be hosted in Valbruna during the days of the Festival to participate in a dedicated training program. This program will include sessions and workshops on personal growth, startup development, entrepreneurship, patents and innovation, as well as public speaking. This model is designed to give substance to the sustainability, regeneration, and entrepreneurship culture, fostering strategic networks and contacts among institutions, investors, and young innovators.
This residency-based format, which ensures a week of networking amidst breathtaking nature, has made the contest a unique event on an international scale, facilitating connections that other contests cannot offer. Last year, over 40 projects were submitted from all around the world. Also this year, participants will be hosted in Valbruna for a week-long training program. The program will feature workshops designed to either strengthen existing skills or acquire new ones, along with cross-disciplinary knowledge. The agenda will include indoor and outdoor working sessions, presentations, discussions, collaborations, and hands-on activities. All these initiatives are aimed at enhancing transferable skills and fostering exchanges of experiences among young startup founders, as well as informal discussions with international leaders. In summary, it’s a model capable of creating an ecosystem composed of young entrepreneurs, professionals, researchers, and communicators from all over the world, coming together to share professional and personal experiences in a context so special that it becomes iconic.
The Baite Award, which is also the only competition of its kind at the regional level, has already gained recognition both nationally and internationally. The festival and the Contest were, in fact, presented last June at the United Nations’ Glass Palace. A delegation from ReGeneration Hub Friuli showcased the case history of the project that combines entrepreneurship, sustainability, regeneration, youth, and the local area. This project brings together the past (local traditions, culture, and the experience of entrepreneurs and experts), the present (the extraordinary potential of young people), and the future (innovation, regeneration, and sustainability as the only path to a possible future), all in alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The novelty lies precisely in the creation of potential connections with national and international projects and institutions, along with significant opportunities for breakthroughs in open innovation, including for companies in our region.
The final presentation of the projects will take place in English at the picturesque location of Palazzo Veneziano in Malborghetto, in front of the jury composed this year, among others, of Chantal Line Carpentier, Anna Maria Tartaglia, Daniele Gizzi, Tess Mateo, Salvatore Amaduzzi, Paola Ferrari, Marina Pittini, Francesca Milocco, Silvano Zamò, and Roberto Siagri.
The winning startup will receive a prize of €3,000 to invest in their company and the opportunity to enter the entrepreneurial world with competitive tools and a strong professional network. Registration for the BAITE Contest is open on the “Contest” page of the website www.nanovalbruna.com.