• Bi-rex

    Bi-rex is a project jointly created by Greta Colombo Dugoni and Monica Ferro within the Politecnico University of Milan. By valorizing waste and by-products from agribusinesses, the company aims to obtain new raw materials. They produce paper out of coffee, citrus, lavender, rice and bioplastics from crustaceans or insects, without resorting to deforestation.

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  • Atelier Riforma

    Atelier Riforma is an innovative social startup (SIAVS in italian), founded in Turin in 2020 by two young and passionate women: Elena Ferrero (born in 1993) and Sara Secondo (born in 1991). The team developed Re4Circular, an innovative technology that helps fashion industry players to enhance end-of-life clothes as a circular resource, there by reducing textile waste and the industry's demand for virgin resources.

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  • Nanomnia is a biotech startup born in 2017 from the insight of three university researchers- Marta Bonaconsa, Michele Bovi, and Pietro Vaccari. They have developed a biotechnological process that replaces microplastic-based additives, which can be found in many industrial products, with substances of natural and plant origin, maintaining and improving the performance of chemical compounds. These substances can be used as agro-pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and industrial materials.

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  • Develop-Players is a start-up company born in 2021 in Cesena from an idea of Mariagrazia Benassi, Full Professor of Psychometrics at the University of Bologna, and her research team from the Department of Psychology at the Cesena Campus. Its mission is to develop video games based on neuropsychological research and the use of artificial intelligence techniques to enhance the potential of learning, through gaming experiences.

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  • QuantaBrain is an Italian startup founded in 2023 and based in Pisa. QuantaBrain is challenging the traditional paradigm of psychiatry, developing AI-based software solutions that enhance the diagnostic process and the identification of personalized treatments for psychiatric disorders. At the helm as CEO is Elisa Ferrari, who created the foundational software of QuantaBrain during her PhD at the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. Pietro Carra, a pioneer in the field of Medical Physics and CTO of QuantaBrain, has brought crucial innovations, elevating the original proof of concept to a higher level and improving its usability.

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  • Idra Water is revolutionizing the water filtration market with a disruptive approach: they have patented the first 100% plastic-free and recyclable water filter.  It was founded by Valentina Vecchia and Fabrizio Boscolo.

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• Bi-Rex:  Greta Colombo Dugoni + Monica Ferro

“Pietro had read about us and contacted us to get to know us better. They wanted to invest in Italy, in women and sustainability, and it seemed that our project fit into their interests.
They have a totally different approach from other Italian investment funds. They advised us on strategic choices and trusted our business and enterprise choices. We found a very close-knit team scattered between Italy and the United States that helped us in several facets of our project.
It has not been easy to meet people who believe in us, our project, and our vision. 20Fund has done that. 
It is still complicated for two women to carry out their ideas, their project, and their enterprise. By standing by our side and believing in us, 20fund allowed us to get this far.
We are happy with the new working team that will be set up.”

• Atelier Rifoma: Sara Secondo + Elena Ferrero

“We met 20Fund when we were participating in an acceleration program: Startupbootcamp FashionTech (2021-2022). At that time 20Fund had just started its scouting in Italy, looking for the best sustainable startups led by women and that's how we met! In the following months we got to know each other better, starting a real due diligence and eventually creating a relationship of mutual trust.
The meeting with 20Fund was essential for our path. Their investment was the first to be a little more substantial and it allowed us to start developing Re4Circular. The close relationship, in particular with Pietro and Serra, has given us courage and their support, beyond the economic investment, has so far been concrete and daily. It is really difficult to find investors in Italy who bet on startups with still early stage solutions, especially people really interested in the positive impact that the startup can bring in the future. 20fund is actually doing it.
 We hope - indeed we are sure! - that 20fund will become one of the most active funds in Italy and that they will network and drive the other players in the Italian financial ecosystem, continuing to support young women in their entrepreneurial projects.”

• Nanomnia: Pietro Vaccari + Claudia Mezzalira + Michele Bovi + Stefania Boi + Marta Bonaconsa + Matteo Caputo + Cristina Panara + Andrea Colusso + Elisa Bancalà

"Right from the start we understood how much the presence of a partner like 20Fund could expand Nanomnia's ability to move closer to its goal: to become a center of excellence in industrial biotech and nanotech research. Just as fundamental is the possibility of accessing the dense network of industrial, commercial and financial partners in which 20Fund is embedded, a human, relational and material capital that will be able to support us in the development of our ambitious growth plan. From the very first meeting, we have supported and adhered to 20Fund’s aspiration to make a difference, its ability to generate broad and deep change by engaging major players, and so much more".

• Develop Players: Mariagrazia Benassi + Luca Formica

“ The decision to use video games as a vehicle to help children and youngsters in cognitive assessment and enhancement stemmed from the fact that playful learning is an incredibly effective tool for making the task a fun adventure in self-discovery. The results achieved by Develop-Players so far are very encouraging. More than 70 primary and secondary schools have been provided with our screening video game, Proffilo, while the attention-enhancing video game, Eye-Riders, is helping children and youngsters all over Italy.

 The story of M. ,12 years old, is one of many that warms our hearts. M. has Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and every day he struggled to do his homework, as the difficulty in staying attentive and focused did not allow him to experience school in the appropriate way. Followed by Dr. Lidia Sperti and using Eye-Riders on a regular basis, he was able to enhance his attentional and learning skills. Moreover, the play experience was fun for him, so much so that he wanted to continue playing with Eye-Riders beyond the end of the course. This experience has also uplifted and heartened M.'s parents, who now place greater hope in his learning possibilities.

 It is stories like M.'s that motivate us to always move forward in the search for new solutions and to bring a wind of innovation to education, an area where technology has still entered only superficially and with little impact and effectiveness. Now, with the investment of 20Fund, Social Fare Seed and Opes Italia, we feel even more ready to chart a course toward new application frontiers for our games, starting in Italy, Europe and overseas, in the United States, but also in Africa and Asia, where the opportunities are growing rapidly.

 We believe that the value of our start-up lies in its social impact, which is why we will share our achievements in helping those with learning disabilities, demonstrating that behind every challenge is an opportunity to improve not only oneself, but also society. We are ready to share with you our journey and the stories, hopefully many, of those who have changed and will change their lives thanks to Develop-Players. Follow us on this journey, because every person deserves to discover the pleasure of learning, playing and enhancing their potential ”.

Team: Mariagrazia Benassi + Luca Formica + Simone Dall’Ara + Mattia Barbaresi + Sara Magri + Sara Giovagnoli + Davide Paolillo + Sara Gulli + Alfredo Russo + Alessia Baglivo

• QuantaBrain: Elisa Ferrari + Pietro Carra

The soul of QuantaBrain was born in academia through the synergistic work of physicists, biologists, and AI experts: numerous university professors and researchers are among the founders.

“ Even before its foundation, QuantaBrain sparked considerable interest, quickly finding a group of sector-specific angel investors who financially supported the birth of the company and contributed to defining the business model with their expertise. Following investments from Scientifica VC and 20Fund, as well as a well-selected group of additional angels, the startup has gained momentum. Just two years ago, Elisa and Pietro were completing their PhDs; the creation of the startup is recent history. Our team has learned to navigate through managerial and bureaucratic complexity and attract funds to support corporate activities and ongoing scientific research. Thanks to the investment from 20Fund, we will be able to initiate a critical clinical trial on the early diagnosis of Autism, a milestone that will allow us to certify our software and open new frontiers for the well-being of children.

Our encounter with 20Fund was a natural and strategic step within our growth, kindly facilitated by Scientifica VC, recognizing the affinity between our visions and that of the fund with an Italo-American spirit. QuantaBrain has developed a system for diagnosing psychiatric disorders that is based on a 1-minute cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The exam allows for a more objective, accurate, and earlier diagnosis and provides personalized indications based on the neurobiological data of the patient, thereby making the entire decision-making process more objective. While still in the research and development phase, QuantaBrain has outlined a clinical trial that not only aims for FDA certification but also strives to document the effectiveness of our software within hospital settings and measure tangible improvements in the quality of life of patients and the efficiency of the healthcare staff involved. The relationship with 20Fund started with a strong mutual understanding, sharing the belief that innovation can and should be a powerful vehicle for social good. The international network of 20Fund, their entrepreneurial competence, and legal expertise are catalyzing our international expansion and preparation for the next round of investment. Moreover, we take pride in participating in the network of women entrepreneurs that 20Fund is promoting, confident that this initiative will encourage a progressive and fundamental reduction of the gender gap in Italy ”.

• Idra Water: Valentina Vecchia + Fabrizio Boscolo

Idra Water was founded by Valentina and Fabrizio, who met while working together in China. They returned to Italy during the pandemic and - just as most of the world - found themselves spending lots of time in their home. Given their background in sustainability and design, they began to pay close attention to various items in their kitchen, specifically their water filtration carafe, and were disheartened to discover that such an essential item to their health and well-being was neither recyclable or free of potentially harmful chemicals. So they decided to brainstorm better options.

Valentino and Fabrizio, who were now both colleagues and spouses, came up with a new design for a water carafe using a material named Claysilite, which is not only reusable and recyclable, but also diminishes the amount of toxins that can potentially enter our drinking water. After 2 years of iterative design and development, they have created a sleek water filtration carafe that also contributes to the elimination of plastic products. 

Valentina and Fabrizio have discovered that their product innovation was only one key to their success thus far; they have also been fortunate enough to meet the right people at the right time. At the Torino Talent Garden, the co-founders were introduced to Claudia Del Monte from Social Fare Seed , who offered the opportunity to participate in the Planet Fundamentals Accelerator Program. Through continued networking efforts, they met the founders of 20Fund, and discovered quickly that their values were aligned with 20Fund’s efforts to launch business ideas which seek to change the world for the better.