PLAI, the Mondadori Group startup accelerator aimed at transforming ideas based on the use of generative artificial intelligence into successful entrepreneurial realities, closes its first acceleration cycle today with its Demo Day.

The event, which takes place at the WPP Campus in Milan, is dedicated to presenting the most innovative solutions developed by the startups that participated in the first edition of the programme and that stood out for their transformative potential in the panorama of Generative Artificial Intelligence.

“With just a few months of activity behind it, PLAI is already considered a programme of excellence and a pioneer in its genre, also through awards and recognitions. We established PLAI because, as a leading multimedia publisher, we wanted to create a technology hub capable of identifying highly innovative initiatives in the sectors in which we operate. We also wanted to play a central role in the Gen AI ecosystem to be a trendsetter, attract talent, and offer our customers new products and services. At the end of the first acceleration cycle, we can confirm our choice and our commitment for the entire duration of the programme, which has already allowed the first young companies to take a strong step forward in their growth and development path. At the same time, it has put our Group in contact with innovative ideas and prestigious partners”, underlines Antonio Porro, CEO of the Mondadori Group and President of PLAI.

The Demo Day represents the conclusion of the 4-month acceleration process during which Gen AI applications were explored and developed in four strategic focus areas for the Mondadori Group with the BATCH 2024 startups:

• “Education” with Equal Education, Paperbox Health and Pathway;
• “Books & Publishing” with Aidamask and Istory;
• “Retail” with Olivia and Stip;
• “New Media & Advertising” with AD cube, Ahilab and Similar.

During the first edition of the programme, over 25 workshops, 20 masterclasses and 6 testimonials from successful founders were organised for a total of more than 50 plenary sessions for a total of over 100 hours; in addition, 15 hours of 1:1 coaching sessions were dedicated, over 40 hours of champion support and 35 speakers were involved.

“We selected the 10 start-ups for the first batch, from over 500 applications received, highlighting the fierce competition and the high quality of the projects presented, and paying attention to the operational segment to ensure they share our professional experience. It was very engaging to work with leaders from different sectors who are partners of the initiative, whom I would like to take this opportunity to thank together with the members of the Advisory Board and the Mondadori Group, and with the individual teams that we assisted in transforming their ideas into successful business realities. Today’s event, however, does not represent a point of arrival, as we will continue to support the development of startups as members, we will observe their growth capacity and verify future joint business interests”, comments Stefano Argiolas, CEO of PLAI.

In a day of meetings dedicated to AI, Demo Day creates synergies and strategic collaborations between startups and consolidated companies, promoting positive contaminations and supporting the future of innovation.

On the one hand, startups present the evolutions of their companies that occurred thanks to the acceleration programme and show innovative technologies applied to concrete solutions; on the other hand, entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders have the opportunity to nurture connections with startups and discover new opportunities for integration and innovative development.

Demo Day is a unique opportunity to delve into two central themes of the current scenario, with illustrious guests at two round tables.

• “AI and Startups – An Opportunity for Business Transformation” with:
  • Massimo Beduschi, President and CEO of GroupM and President of WPP Italy;
  • Antonio Porro, CEO of the Mondadori Group;
  • Walter Renna, CEO of Fastweb + Vodafone;
  • Francesco Ubertini, President of the IFAB Foundation and professor at the University of Bologna;
  • Fabio Vaccarono, CEO of Multiversity, President of the 3 Universities – Mercatorum, Pegaso and San Raffaele Roma.

Focused on the opportunities and challenges offered by AI, how startups are using it to accelerate business transformation and redefine markets, the discussion outlines an overview of the emerging dynamics, the impact of AI on innovation and value creation.

• “Financing Innovation – The Future of AI Startups” with:
  • Paola Bonomo, Non-executive Director, Advisor, Business angel;
  • Francesco Cerruti, General Manager of Italian Tech Alliance;
  • Andrea Di Camillo, Founder of P101;
  • Lisa Di Sevo, Managing Partner and CEO of PranaVentures;
  • Alceo Rapagna, CEO of Startupbootcamp and Innoleaps Italy, Senior Global Partner Innoleaps.

Focused on the main investment and financing models in the AI startup sector and how the market is evolving to support innovation, the interventions build a discussion on winning strategies for the future.

PLAI, on this occasion, thanks the Italian and international partners who have decided to join the project: Startupbootcamp, I3P, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Fastweb, GroupM, PwC Italia, Codemotion, Datapizza, Startupitalia and welcomes IFAB.

PLAI is ready to launch the second call for startups in the coming weeks to collect applications for the second acceleration cycle that will start in June: priority will be given to the quality of ideas and readiness to face market challenges, also opening up to more sectors of interest.

PLAI is the startup accelerator of the Mondadori Group that intends to transform ideas based on the use of artificial intelligence into successful entrepreneurial realities. PLAI offers them a distinctive field of application and an industrial outlet both within the Group and with the initiative’s partners. PLAI operates in the pre-seed and seed phases by selecting and investing in Italian and international startups. The accelerator provides startups, in addition to capital, with concrete areas of application of AI, structured training and mentorship paths and the possibility of participating in networking events, also thanks to the set of unique skills and assets made available by relevant Italian and international partners.