Discover the 7 RBS4Entrepreneurship innovative startup selected during the VII Edition

• Mindmatch, Fundzones, WealthUp, Armonità, RentItOra, Respoguide, and Momelle the Market Table have been chosen as the entrepreneurial projects to receive a service package valued at €10,000.
• Innovation and social impact were the decisive factors for selecting these young entrepreneurs from over 130 applicants representing more than 40 nationalities. 
• The startups predominantly focus on the Circular Economy, spanning six different industries, from Fashion to Food & Beverage. 

Rome Business School announces the Selected Startups for its Business Incubator as Part of the RBS4Entrepreneurship Program in Its Seventh Edition. The winning startups were chosen from a diverse group of applicants from more than 40 nationalities across fields like ICT and digital, health and wellness, education, arts and entertainment, fashion, mobility and logistics, and insurance. Fifteen projects made it to the final pre-selection stage, and six initiatives were ultimately chosen to enter the Incubator. 

The jury evaluated the startups based on:

• the ability to address a problem with innovative, technically feasible solutions;
• the capacity to present an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable business model;
• the technical skills and expertise of the proponents. 

The program aims to foster high-innovation entrepreneurship with significant social impact, the common thread among the winning projects. 

“The ideas presented during the selection process exceeded all expectations in terms of presentation quality, international scope, and diversity of sectors, explains Antonio Ragusa, Dean of Rome Business School. But what positively surprised us the most was the high level of commitment to sustainable business development.”

Six out of seven finalists emphasize sustainability, circular economy, and green economy as core pillars. Additionally, we consistently observe a high representation of female leadership and strong involvement from students from developing countries, who will benefit from the visibility provided by Rome Business School during the Incubation program, starting in November 2024. 

The selected startups will now engage in a €10,000 incubation program, adapted to the specific development of each project and team, with the goal of market launch within 12 months. 

The teams will have the opportunity to develop their business models with support, including access to the RBS Hub to track their progress, specialized training with Business Venture Labs, one-on-one meetings with expert mentors, as well as sessions with entrepreneurs and companies. The program will also provide innovative methodologies and constant support to further their projects. 

The 7 Selected Startups are:

• Armonità ft Mood On: A digital platform that allows users to rent, swap, or subscribe to fashion items sustainably, offering a subscription-based clothing rental service that curates outfits based on mood, promoting sustainability and individuality. 
• WealthUp (Finance GPT): An AI-powered financial advisory app. 
• Fundzones: A user-friendly and secure platform designed to cater to investors of all sizes. 
• MINDMATCH: A mental health platform that connects users with therapists tailored to their specific needs. 
• RentItOra: A peer-to-peer platform allowing travelers to rent gear from locals, reducing the need to purchase new items. 
• Respoguide: An app for sustainable tourism that connects eco-conscious travelers with responsible accommodations. 
• The Market Table – Momelle fruit powders: Transforms imperfect fruits into nutrient-rich powders, reducing food waste and supporting small farmers. 

At the end of the incubation program, the startups will present their projects to major business partners and potential investors, with the opportunity to receive additional acceleration packages, funds, and resources. 

Through RBS4Entrepreneurship, Rome Business School has, in the past four years, increased by 45% the number of startups created by students and alumni aged 25 to 60. Furthermore, 50% of the companies founded by RBS alumni are based in Europe, with Sustainability + Deep Tech (38%), Sustainable Fashion (13.5%), E-health (15%), Fintech (5%), Agribusiness (5%), and Arts, Entertainment, and Leisure (3%) as the main sectors, often incorporating AI. A cross-disciplinary education and hands-on approach are key to helping students advance their careers, whether as entrepreneurs or by working in other companies. 

Best of luck to the 7 selected startup ideas, now part of Rome Business School’s Incubator!