Liquid Factory Unveils First Startups Bridging AI, Crypto, and Fashion from Valtellina to Silicon Valley
Over 181 applications from more than 20 countries worldwide were submitted to develop entrepreneurial ideas in Valtellina and present them to Silicon Valley’s leading accelerators and incubators.
The winners of the first edition of Liquid Factory, a Startup Studio connecting Valtellina to Silicon Valley, were announced today. Created in partnership with Banca Popolare di Sondrio, the programme received 181 applications from 20 countries. Four entrepreneurs were selected to establish the inaugural startups under the Entrepreneurship in Residence programme.
With support from Banca Popolare di Sondrio, each startup has been awarded €200,000 in funding and will operate over the next few months at facilities provided by the bank at Palazzo Lambertenghi, Piazza Garibaldi 5, Sondrio.
Outstanding Talent Among Applicants
Applications for the 2024 batch closed on 31 October, exceeding all expectations.
I told myself, If we get 50 applications, that’s a great start. A hundred would be amazing. I never imagined we’d receive 181. We’ve created something unique, combining the quality of life in Valtellina with direct connections to Silicon Valley. The global interest proves that our vision resonates.
said Fabrizio Capobianco, Partner at Liquid Factory.
With an acceptance rate of just 2.2%, selecting the first four “Entrepreneurs in Residence” required two months of rigorous evaluation. Key application data include:
- 88% of applicants were male and 12% female
- 76% came from Italy and 24% from other countries, including Finland, Thailand, and Paraguay
- The average age of applicants was 29
- There was a balanced educational background among applicants, with 47% having STEM qualifications and 53% from non-STEM fields
The 181 applications from around the globe demonstrate the extraordinary potential of young innovators. We’ve always believed in the value of young talent and the importance of providing them with the tools to develop solutions that enhance processes, products, and services.
Supporting Liquid Factory means fostering ideas that could become global success stories, starting from our beloved Valtellina. This project epitomises the perfect blend of innovation, talent, and international vision.
said Mario Alberto Pedranzini, CEO and General Manager of Banca Popolare di Sondrio.
The 4 “Entrepreneurs in Residence”
The four selected entrepreneurs are two women and two men of Italian, Egyptian, and Polish heritage, with professional experience spanning the United States, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Each startup takes its name from one of four iconic Valtellina wines: Sassella, Inferno, Grumello, and Valgella.
- Lora Fahmy (29, Liquid Sassella): Egyptian-born, raised in Italy, and based in Barcelona, she is creating an AI agent for interior design that integrates augmented reality with online shopping, revolutionising the furniture purchasing experience.
- Ludovico Federici (22, Liquid Inferno): Holding degrees in Computer Science, Cognitive Science, and Data Science from UC Berkeley, he has collaborated with NVIDIA and Spotify. His startup focuses on an AI agent for sustainability that dramatically simplifies and accelerates ESG compliance for businesses.
- Matteo Mariani (27, Liquid Grumello): A former Satispay employee and Product Manager at Danish unicorn Pleo in London, he specialises in fintech and banking infrastructure. His startup is building a groundbreaking stablecoin platform linked to fiat currencies to streamline international payments.
- Sylwia Szymczyk (37, Liquid Valgella): Splitting her time between Varese and Switzerland, she aims to create an AI agent for the fashion sector, helping creators design clothing, fit it on virtual models, and produce realistic videos to sell garments before they are physically produced.
The next application cycle is scheduled for June 2025.
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