Three start-up projects from Spoke 9 have been admitted to the new CC1 Acceleration program
The projects were presented on 3rd December at the University of Udine, during the second iNEST Selection Day
Udine, 5th December 2024
3 start-up projects from Spoke 9 will continue in iNEST Cross-Cutting Activity 1, “Support to the generation and the development of start-ups and spin-offs”: BIOXGEN, Easy Resp (both from SISSA), and COCAL (from OGS). This is the result of the latest Selection Day, held last Tuesday at the University of Udine. This outcome was deliberated by the CC1 Committee, based on the evaluations expressed by a jury of three experts following the presentations of the projects: William Vespi (CIO of GoVolt Mobility), Carlo Asquini (member of Italian Angels for Growth, a network of Italian Business Angels) and Ivan Mion (Senior Project Manager of Solari di Udine).
The selected teams will now face, together with 13 other projects from other universities, the second cycle of the CC1 Acceleration program, which will begin in January and will last six months. The new program introduces some changes from last year: more workshops and pitch clinics, the elimination of online formats, and a different structuring of the content. It will be a very intense journey for the teams, who will be guided in defining a solid business model.
BIOXGEN: purifying air with microalgae
BIOXGEN, presented by Silvia De Cleva, addresses an issue that compromises the physical and mental health of many individuals: the accumulation of carbon dioxide in indoor environments with limited air exchange. The solution proposed by BIOXGEN is OXI, a device that uses a technology based on microalgae to develop natural air purifiers that capture carbon dioxide and improve air quality in houses and offices. OXI is also a design element that helps improve concentration, productivity, and overall well-being; a smart version of the device is being developed.
COCAL: reinventing environmental monitoring
Paolo Diviacco presented COCAL, which aims to address the lack of real-time, high-resolution environmental data at an affordable cost. The solution consists of using low-cost mobile sensors to monitor air, water, and noise quality by overcoming the limitations of traditional instruments, which are often expensive and have limited coverage. COCAL offers high-quality data and a system to correct any sensor inaccuracies; it is easily accessible through a web interface that displays data in real-time. A special feature is the active involvement of citizens in the collection of environmental information.
Easy Resp: an easier respiratory rehabilitation
Easy Resp by Rosamaria Apicella helps people with breathing difficulties, offering an innovative technology for respiratory rehabilitation. The base principle is that passive limb movement can modulate the respiratory rate, adapting to the individual’s physiological breathing. Easy Resp offers a pedaling system, complemented by sensors, that uses AI to continuously adapt exercise to the user and optimize breathing. Therefore, it improves the quality of life and long-term well-being of the elderly and chronically ill with breathing difficulties.
