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Piquadro launches Mystartup Funding Program

By Wei Zhang
2 min read
Startup
Startup
In this article (5)

Piquadro is ready to promote innovation and young entrepreneurship, supporting the best business idea in the technology area applied to the luggage field and fashion accessories.

The prizes are up to € 100K and a period of acceleration program in Silicon Valley to train and help the business development.

Piquadro has been incorporating innovative technologies in its products: for example, for the Bagmotic capsule collection.

The collection includes a computer backpack able to communicate with smartphones thanks to a powerbank wireless, that allows to recharge devices and to connect them with the Connequ app, created by Piquadro.

This app manages a lot of functions, and it can be used for different purposes. It alerts in the case of theft, or loss of the luggage. It can weigh the baggage, for instance, among many other features.

Furthermore, a lot of products present a socket integrated to the bags that allow recharging all the devices.

Last but not least, recently a smart-lock easy to manage from smartphones has been developed.

The aim of the Funding Program is to find innovative and exciting ideas grown outside Piquadro, to create stimulating activities in different fields.

The contest will end with an event, in which Startups will pitch their ideas to a judging board including some internal advisors and some investors.

Prizes for € 100.000 have been allocated for the winners, to allow a capital increase in return of percentage of shares from the company’s capital.

Through Piquadro investment company, named PIQUBO, Piquadro has gained experience in the startup field, and it will be used to evaluate all the applications received considering the fit they may have to Piquadro company’s values.

Piquadro is open and willing to invest in other categories but fashion and travel accessories is priority.

Further than the investment part, Piquadro will support the winning team widely, to help with some assets and company know-how. That could go from hosting the startup in the headquarters in Italy to supporting it within the company’s network.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the primary focus for business ideas in the Mystartup Funding Program?

A.

The program prioritises the best business ideas in technology applied to the luggage field and fashion accessories. However, Piquadro is also willing to consider investments in other categories.

Q.

What support, beyond prize money, will the winning teams receive?

A.

Winning teams will receive an acceleration program in Silicon Valley for business development. Piquadro will also offer broad support, including assets, company know-how, and potentially hosting the startup in their Italian headquarters.

Q.

How will Piquadro select the winning business ideas for the program?

A.

Piquadro will evaluate applications based on their fit with the company's values, using experience from its investment company, PIQUBO. A judging board, including internal advisors and investors, will assess pitched ideas at a final event.

Q.

What kind of innovative technologies has Piquadro previously incorporated into its products?

A.

Piquadro has integrated features like smartphone-communicating computer backpacks with wireless powerbanks, theft/loss alerts, baggage weighing, integrated charging sockets, and smart-locks manageable from smartphones.

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