Entrepreneurship Toolkit
The ESCP and Blue Factory Event Series designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential tools for success, guiding them through the journey from idea validation to fundraising.
In a joint effort to support aspiring entrepreneurs and startups, ESCP Business School and Blue Factory launched the "Entrepreneurship Toolkit" event series in Turin in 2024, organised with the contribution of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo. Kicked off in March 2024, the series was orchestrated by Simone Marino, Head of Blue Factory Italy. It has already hosted five engaging and informative workshops and expert panels covering a wide range of topics crucial for startups and new businesses.
Events overview
How to find a good startup idea and validate it quickly
In the first event, participants explored and validated their business ideas in a practical workshop under the guidance of experienced mentors from Feat.Ventures. The two-hour interactive workshop provided participants with techniques to identify unmet market needs, a rapid validation methodology to efficiently test their ideas, and exclusive insights into the tools and strategies Feat.Ventures uses to build successful startups.
How to build a strong and scalable business model
The second seminar focused on teaching entrepreneurs how to develop a robust and scalable business model for their startups. Speakers included experts from I3P, Plug and Play Tech Center, Techstars, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, and OGR Tech. Startup representatives from Bestie Bite, levelQuantum and Restworld took to the stage to share their experiences of building a scalable business model. Their first-hand experience added invaluable depth to the discussions.
Customer acquisition strategies for B2B and B2C markets
The third session focused on effective customer acquisition tactics for both B2B and B2C startups. It provided an interactive and informative platform to explore emerging trends and common challenges startups face during the customer acquisition phase. Organised in partnership with ToTeM, the panel was moderated by ESCP professors and featured insights from growth experts from LTV, Deeva.it and Merakyn.
The transformative impact of AI and DeepTech
The fourth event in the series explored how emerging technologies such as AI and DeepTech are revolutionising various industries. Prominent speakers from Accenture, Fondazione LINKS, Immanence, I3P and Qomprendo explored not only the technological aspects, but also the relationship between technology and ethics. Participants gained an understanding of the main opportunities that companies can seize from the AI and DeepTech revolution and the changes they are already facing today, while also discovering how the agile world of startups is contributing to this transformation.
Fundraising insights from investors and successful startups
The most recent session provided aspiring entrepreneurs with invaluable fundraising insights. Investors from organisations like ClubDeal Digital, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, IAG - Italian Angels for Growth, Equiter Spa, Vento, LIFTT, Club degli Investitori, shared their criteria and expectations, while successful founders shared their fundraising experiences with Builtdifferent and Artknit Studios.
The Entrepreneurship Toolkit event series featured expert panels, keynote speeches, and startup testimonials, providing valuable insights and practical tools for entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey. By attending these sessions, aspiring entrepreneurs gained helpful knowledge, networked with industry experts and investors, and learned from the experiences of fellow founders. The diverse range of topics covered provided them with the essential tools and strategies to turn their business ideas into successful ventures.
The series was part of the rich calendar of "Torino Spazio al Futuro" events organised by Unione Industriali Torino to celebrate Turin as the Capital of Business Culture 2024.
The series, which took place in various venues linked to Turin's entrepreneurial ecosystem, such as TAG Fondazione Agnelli, OGR Tech, and I3P, was well received. Participants praised the engaging format, expert speakers, and opportunities for networking and collaboration.
ESCP Business School and Blue Factory ESCP are committed to supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Turin and beyond through future editions of the Entrepreneurship Toolkit series and an incubator programme, starting in autumn 2024.
Blue Factory
The Blue Factory supports students and alumni entrepreneurs of ESCP Business School, in their projects through resources and programmes, at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey, from exploring the idea to international expansion.
Campus
