The selection of innovative Italian startups and SMEs promoted by the Italian Innovation Center at Innovit, the Italian Innovation and Culture Hub in San Francisco, has started. Startups and SMEs can submit their projects in three strategic and closely related sectors: Climate, Green Energy, Food Tech.

Innovit is promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Washington and the Consulate General in San Francisco. Its mission is to act as a catalyst for innovative projects and an accelerator for their international development, enabling Italian players to have a stable presence in Silicon Valley and throughout the United States.

Innovative startups and SMEs can now apply to the selection program. The 40 most "persuasive" startups and 25 SMEs will gain access to a two-week online orientation, training and mentorship program. Upon completion, 15 selected startups and 15 SMEs will participate in two targeted programs directly in San Francisco.

The startups will join Startup Acceleration: two weeks of workshops, mentoring and networking focused on their business model development and validation. At the end of the path, a Demo Day to illustrate their project to an audience of experts and stakeholders from the world of innovation.

SMEs will have access to Small & Medium Enterprises Traction: a week of mentorship, workshops, and networking activities with some of the San Francisco Bay Area's key innovation players in order to build business relationships, get funding, and be contaminated with the local innovation ecosystem.