​JOIN GLOBAL INVESTORS AND LEADING STARTUP MENTORS IN ROME FOR OUR FIRST ANNUAL EVENT!

​Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is an ecosystem.

​One afternoon at Villa Fassini, hosted by ELIS Innovation Hub, where international program builders, investors and Italian corporate innovation leaders compare what actually works in startup programs, open innovation and AI adoption.
Why this matters

​This intimate gathering brings global best practices to Rome, creating space for honest dialogue, practical tools, and relationships that can reset the standard for founders, corporates and ecosystem operators.

​
2026 Agenda - ENG

​Part One: what it really takes to make innovation work

​13:30 · Doors open
Initial networking and registrations

​14:00 · Welcome
Erika Lucciola, ELIS Innovation Hub

​14:15 · Four corporate programs, four countries, four strategies
Siemens, Ford, Akbank and Medgulf, presented by Ozan Sönmez, Brutally Honest Innovator

​14:35 · Roundtable: the future of startup programs
Rome incubators and accelerators, moderated by Gianmarco Carnovale, Roma Startup

​15:15 · Keynote: Building the initial fort, and how AI changed it
Chris Heivly, co-founder of MapQuest, former Techstars Executive

​15:35 · Corporates' perspective on international collaboration
What does industry know about startups that capital doesn't?

​16:15 · Break

​Part Two: the method, the experts, the conversations

​16:30 · Lean Startup Masterclass
Experimentation, founder mode, customer validation

​17:00 · Fireside chat with international guests
Audience questions collected via QR code

​17:30 · Corporate Program Design Exchange: Italian innovation programs meet global experts
Up to three Italian innovation programs share how they work and one open question, then receive input from Adam Berk and Paolo Lombardi, co-authors of Startup Program Design, together with international guests. Moderated by Erika Lucciola. Presentations in Italian or English.
→ Want to bring your program on stage?

​18:30 · Aperitivo and networking
Themed conversations on corporate innovation, venture capital, angel investing, intrapreneurship and US expansion

​Speakers are subject to change.

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2026 Agenda - ITA

​Prima parte: cosa serve davvero per far funzionare l'innovazione

​13:30 · Apertura
Networking iniziale e registrazioni

​14:00 · Benvenuto
Erika Lucciola, ELIS Innovation Hub

​14:15 · Quattro programmi corporate, quattro paesi, quattro strategie
Siemens, Ford, Akbank e Medgulf, presentati da Ozan Sönmez, Brutally Honest Innovator

​14:35 · Tavola rotonda: il futuro dei programmi per startup
Incubatori e acceleratori di Roma, modera Gianmarco Carnovale, Roma Startup

​15:15 · Keynote: Building the initial fort, and how AI changed it
Chris Heivly, co-founder of MapQuest, former Techstars Executive

​15:35 · La prospettiva delle corporate sulla collaborazione internazionale
Cosa sa l'industria delle startup che il capitale non sa?

​16:15 · Pausa

Seconda parte: il metodo, gli esperti, le conversazioni

​16:30 · Lean Startup Masterclass
Sperimentazione, founder mode, validazione con i clienti

​17:00 · Fireside chat con gli ospiti internazionali
Le domande del pubblico vengono raccolte tramite QR code

​17:30 · Confronto sul design dei programmi: le iniziative di innovazione italiane incontrano gli esperti internazionali
Le aziende italiane (fino a 3) raccontano i propri programmi di innovazione e condividono una domanda aperta, per poi ricevere il contributo di Adam Berk e Paolo Lombardi, co-autori di Startup Program Design, insieme agli ospiti internazionali. Modera Erika Lucciola. Presentazioni in italiano o in inglese.

​18:30 · Aperitivo e networking
Conversazioni tematiche su corporate innovation, venture capital, angel investing, intrapreneurship ed espansione negli Stati Uniti.

​Gli speaker possono variare.