Milan municipality just launched the third edition of the international call "Alimenta2Talent", focused on new business projects related to the food sector.

Also promoted and supported by the Lodi Technological Park, the initiative endorsed Expo philosophy on a "new sustainable way" to produce and consume food products.

Gianluca Carenzo - Lodi Technological Park Director - has pointed out that since its foundation, the incubator Alimenta has launched 46 new startups and supported other 86. It has also raised ?26 million funds and created 150 work places.

As highlighted by the Milan Council member Cristina Tajani, the last edition of the event has been very successful, attracting about 100 applications by young and enthusiast entrepreneurs, willing to try their chance in a sector that has been recently re-discovered as a fruitful and challenging one.

Proposals taken into consideration will have to deal with new food products, novel food and ingredients that would have positive impact on consumers' health and well-being. In addition, applications can refer to areas related to the use of food waste, Internet of Food (IoT), Smart Agriculture e Precision Farming, biotechnologies in Life Sciences, Food Safety and Food Security.

A Technical Commission will assess the proposals. The jury is made up by high profile figures in the food sector, bio-economy, finance together with members of the Lodi Park Research and Development section.

There will be only five winners and they will take part in the Alimenta Accelerating Program for six months, namely from April until September 2016. The aim is the one of letting them develop a solid business plan to present to investors.

Finally, the acceleration process will have three phases, i.e. the definition of a solid business model; the assignment of three vouchers to the finalists and the identification of the "Champion" project of the call. All those interested have time to apply until December the 31^st, via the following link.

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