Four LUISS students with a passion for technology, innovation and entrepreneurship: Alessandro Petrich, Luisa Marotta, Dario Ercolani and Gianlorenzo Simonazzi, are the leaders behind Startup Grind Roma, the Roman chapter of the worldwide community powered by Google for Entrepreneurs.
The students met while completing their master’s degrees in Management, with a specialization in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It was Alessandro who had the idea to form the team: “In May 2015 I was invited to a Startup Grind Milano event at the Google Italy Headquarters. I left feeling enthusiastic and captivated by the informal and welcoming atmosphere. When I realized that there was no Roman branch, I decided to inquire about opening one.”
Startup Grind is the largest community within Google for Entrepreneurs, an initiative powered by the Mountain View giant, that organizes events related to the digital world, creates startup accelerators and supports innovative projects and entrepreneurs around the world. Launched in 2010 in the heart of Silicon Valley, inspired by an idea from Derek Andersen and Spencer Nielsen, Startup Grind is now in rapid expansion, with locations in 175 cities and 70 countries worldwide.
“Starting from the three commandments of the community: inspire, educate and connect,” explains Alessandro, “we aim to build a network that becomes a reference point for startuppers, technology fans and entrepreneurs. Each month, we will organize a fireside chat with a different guest who will speak about their history, experiences and professional challenges, all in an informal environment."
“In Rome,” adds Luisa, “there are several active incubator and co-working spaces, but we are still missing a bridge that links different experiences and favors cooperation and sharing like they have in Silicon Valley. We want to actively participate in the creation of a new entrepreneurial mindset.”
“The partnership with Google is really motivating for people like us who dream of working for the Californian company one day, and have taken their culture and innovative spirit to heart,” say Gianlorenzo and Dario. “But more than anything, we want to test ourselves, expand our horizons, learn a new story every month, and find inspiration in successful experiences.”
In the first phase, the students are working on creating collaborations and partnerships with experts in marketing and video editing, with ambassadors and managers and other figures that can guide and support their adventure. “The Google for Entrepreneurs structure was so useful as it put us in contact with foreign chapter directors that offered us practical suggestions.”
On September 21, 2015, the first event will take place at LUISS Enlabs. The evening’s guest will be Gianluca Dettori, founder of dpixel, and judge on the Italian version of Shark Tank. “It’s a really special occasion for us and for those who will become a part of our network. In some countries, Startup Grind chapters raise capital to invest, just like venture capitalists, yet other chapters have launched incubation and mentoring programs. This year, the best startups in the world within the community have had access to programs from YCombinator, 500 Startups and TechStars. We want to be a part of an important change too.”