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Italian Angels for Growth (IAG), leader in the Italian seed venture capital, in partnership with Mastercard presents the first edition of Women & Sustainability Innovation Cup with the aim of identifying and rewarding the most promising start-ups with a strong ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) component and female-dominated entrepreneurial teams that can get in touch with Mastercard and its digital ecosystem.
Start-ups with one or more women in top management are invited to enter the competition to present their project in front of an audience of experts in the digital payments and venture capital industry. Mastercard will provide the winning start-ups with the valuable opportunity to access and benefit from the expertise of the multinational company's C-levels in dedicated meetings where mentoring moments will alternate with discussions on collaborations and potential business synergies.
"We are pleased to collaborate with Mastercard in this effort initiative to support entrepreneurial teams with innovative and concrete projects, offering the experience and expertise from of our dedicated team of IAG analysts and business angels belonging to the community of IAG. As has become evident, Gender diversity has proven to translatetranslates into new ideas, innovative products, and more successful services. more successful and tThis competition is a fantastic opportunity to showcase yourtheir technological talent," says Carlo Tassi, President of Italian Angels for Growth.
"Mastercard has always been committed to promoting the values of inclusion and diversity, convinced of the importance of offering equal opportunities for the birth and enhancement of talents, an inexhaustible source of innovation and development," said Michele Centemero, Country Manager Italy of Mastercard. "We are therefore excited to collaborate alongside Italian Angels for Growth in the launch of this initiative, which, by addressing start-ups eager to have a social and environmental impact as concrete as possible, represents a further step forward for our country in the direction of a better society, more equitable and sustainable for all."
PARTICIPATION DETAILS
Who:
Startups that are already established and have at least one woman among the founders, top management or key roles in the company. Businesses with ESG-related components will be highly valued. We also encourage other women who would like to become business coaches to apply for the competition.
How:
The contest requires a few very simple steps. First, submit your project by filling out some key information through this link. The jury will select a set of finalists from these submissions. Selected finalists will prepare a business plan and present it to the jury for a final round of awards and recognition.
Prize:
Mastercard will provide the winning start-ups with the valuable opportunity to access and benefit from the expertise of their the multinational company's C-levels in dedicated meetings where mentoring sessions will coincide alternate with discussions on collaborations and potential business synergies.
Dates & Deadlines:
October 20 - November 19: Window available to apply for project.
November 19 - November 26: Project evaluation and identification of Top10 participants. Selected startups will be interviewed in a 1 on to1 meeting with athe jury and present their business or start-up case.
November 26: Selection of the finalists (5 startups)
Early December: Final event and award ceremony. The five finalist startups will have the opportunity to present their project to Mastercard's top management who will select the winner and award the prize.