Turin Startup Ecosystem Gathering

Over 300 participants and 28 speakers explore innovation pathways in Turin

ESCP Turin hosted a major startup ecosystem event with 28 speakers and 300+ participants, connecting entrepreneurs and innovation leaders.

On 18 April, ESCP Business School’s Turin Campus welcomed more than 300 participants and 28 speakers for The Turin Scene: Startup Ecosystem Gathering. Organised by Blue Factory, ESCP’s business incubator, the event brought together the key actors of the innovation landscape to support and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Open to students, aspiring founders, and the wider community, the event offered a unique opportunity to explore Turin’s startup ecosystem through direct engagement with its leading voices. 

Mapping the startup ecosystem

The event unfolded through a structured morning of consecutive panel discussions, offering a comprehensive and coherent journey across the different components of the startup ecosystem.

The first session focused on venture capital strategies in Turin, featuring representatives from Obloo Ventures, LIFTT, Step Venture, and Neva SGR, who shared insights into investment approaches, market trends, and the criteria guiding funding decisions.

This was followed by a panel dedicated to business angels and early-stage support, with contributions from Club degli Investitori, Réseau Entreprendre Piemonte, and Angels4Women, highlighting the importance of mentorship, community, and capital in the early phases of a startup’s growth.

The discussion then shifted towards entrepreneurial education and talent development, including initiatives such as Enter Academy, underlining how structured learning pathways can help transform ideas into viable ventures.

A further panel explored emerging venture-building models, with Kakashi Ventures, Mamazen, and Feat. Ventures illustrating how startup creation is evolving through new organisational and operational approaches.

Turin’s technological and innovation infrastructure was then examined by I3P, 2I3T, Plug and Play Take Off, and Bioindustry Park, showcasing the city’s strong positioning in supporting high-tech entrepreneurship.

The programme also featured a keynote by Laura Fornara (InnovUp), who provided a broader perspective on the Italian innovation ecosystem and its future directions.

The final panel brought together key local institutions and ecosystem enablers, including OGR Torino, SocialFare, Unione Industriali, and CTE Next, offering a collective reflection on Turin’s role as a hub for innovation and collaboration.

From dialogue to connection: networking over lunch 

Following the morning sessions, participants gathered for a networking lunch, designed to turn insights into concrete opportunities.

This informal setting enabled direct exchanges between speakers and attendees, including the possibility to engage in one-to-one conversations with investors, mentors, and ecosystem leaders. 

The networking component reinforced the event’s practical dimension, bridging the gap between inspiration and action.

Supporting entrepreneurial journeys

The Turin Scene is closely connected to “From Zero To Startup”, the free training programme led by Blue Factory with the support of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo as ecosystem developer and the Camera di commercio di Torino.

Now in its second edition and open to a broader audience, the initiative reflects ESCP’s commitment to making entrepreneurship accessible and actionable, equipping participants with the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to launch their ventures.

By bringing together education, industry, and innovation, ESCP continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for entrepreneurial ecosystems across Europe.

With 28 speakers and over 300 participants, The Turin Scene, organised and moderated by Simone Marino and Simone Martinelli, showcased the strength and diversity of Turin’s startup ecosystem. By combining expert insights with meaningful connections, ESCP Turin Campus continues to empower future entrepreneurs and foster innovation at the heart of its community.