Roadshow Women, Innovation, and Networks for Inclusive Leadership and WIN Challenge: Ideas Competition for Innovation and Inclusion

Roadshow Women, Innovation, and Networks for Inclusive Leadership

To participate as an audience member, please fill out the form at https://forms.office.com/e/M1J7YWKABw by April 14th.

The University of Pisa, through its Gender Equality Plan (GEP) and the Contamination Lab project, aims to strengthen initiatives for inclusion and support for women in academic, entrepreneurial, and local contexts, promoting a culture based on gender equality and sustainable innovation. As part of an integrated strategy of collaboration with stakeholders such as CNA Pisa (National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises), Polo Tecnologico di Navacchio, an innovation hub in Tuscany, Unione Industriale Pisana, the Municipality of Pisa, and international alliances like the Women Founders Network, the event on April 15th, promoted jointly with Netval and Invitalia, will be structured as follows:

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Introductory remarks by Dr. Gianluca Fiorillo of Invitalia
Alessandra Nardini, Councillor for Education, Vocational Training, University and Research, Employment, International Relations, and Gender Policies,¹ Tuscany Region
Frida Scarpa, Councillor for Sport and Sports Facilities, Youth Policies, Sports Development of Regattas and Rowing Races, Relations with University Institutions, Municipal Council
Alessio Cavicchi, Delegate for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Culture and Social Innovation
Ilario Belloni, University of Pisa, Single Guarantee Committee
Chiara Galletti, University of Pisa, Delegate for Relations with Businesses
Barbara Carli, CNA Pisa, Deputy Director
Viktoria Nagy, Women Founders Network
Francesca Pecori, University of Pisa’s Office for Equalities and Differences
Rita Forsi, Women 4 Cyber Italia, Vice President and Director of the Scientific Technical Committee
Silvia Marchini, Polo Tecnologico di Navacchio, Head of Business and Startup Relations
Patrizia Alma Pacini, for Unione Industriale Pisana, CEO of Pacini Editore Industrie Grafiche Srl
Simona Costa, for TOUR4EU, Head of Office
Gianni Toma, for COSPE, Project Manager

1:00 PM – 2:45 PM Eat, drink and meet

2:45 PM – 4:00 PM WIN Challenge: Women, Innovation for Inclusive Solutions

Concluding remarks by Patrizia Costia, Head of Digitalization and Education Areas, Isi Foundation, and Francesca Franceschi, Journalist and Communication Manager, CNA Pisa.”

Session presented by: Serena Auriemma of DELOS AI: winning startup of the Clab 2024 edition; third place and special mention for the best female entrepreneurship project at Start Cup Toscana 2024, and Alessio Cavicchi.

Representatives from international alliances Circle U and Start For Future will intervene remotely, briefly describing international mentoring and funding programs, as well as how to participate in the European innovation ecosystems partnered with Circle U.

Awards Ceremony

WIN CHALLENGE

The Contamination Lab Pisa, in collaboration with Netval and Invitalia, on the occasion of the Roadshow ‘Women, Innovation, and Networks for Inclusive Leadership’ on April 15, 2025, is publishing a call for applications for the WIN Challenge: Women, Innovation for Inclusive Solutions.

The objective of the challenge is to:

Integrate innovative technologies or inclusive business models for women’s empowerment;
Promote social inclusion and sustainability;
Promote technological solutions for gender equality;
Propose solutions to improve access to resources and healthcare for vulnerable categories;
Promote projects that enable women’s access to new opportunities (e.g., STEM).

The WIN Challenge: Women, Innovation for Inclusive Solutions is divided into:

Innovative Women for Change – innovative ideas/projects for social and inclusive change – target audience: master’s degree students, PhD students, researchers, and professors from any discipline and affiliated with any University and Specialization School in the Tuscany region.
EmpowerHER Challenge – women’s empowerment through innovation – target audience: Businesses with legal headquarters in the Tuscan territory whose corporate purpose and management go beyond the economic aspect, prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, social growth, and positive impact, characteristics that have contributed to creating more resilient, responsible, and long-term oriented business models, with a strong focus on creating value for society.
Imprese di Valore (Valuable Businesses) – target audience: Spin-off companies of the University of Pisa characterized by a strong commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and social responsibility.
Ideas for Change – innovative solutions to change the world, with particular attention to social inclusivity and sustainability – target audience: Teams of students enrolled in upper secondary schools in the province of Pisa.

It is possible to apply for only one of the challenges listed above.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

The jury will evaluate the ten best ideas received, which will be presented at the ‘Women, Innovation, and Networks for Inclusive Leadership‘ Roadshow on April 15, 2025, organized by Contamination Lab in collaboration with Netval and Invitalia. The ideas will be assessed based on their enhancement of female entrepreneurship through innovative and original solutions that improve women’s access to resources and opportunities, ensuring environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Furthermore, particular consideration will be given to the social impact, to the extent that it is measurable and replicable, with a clear and long-term sustainable business model.

Innovation

Proposal’s capacity to promote new management methods, resource enhancement, and opportunity creation, innovatively addressing issues related to women’s access to resources, technologies, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Sostenibility

Ability to reduce environmental impact and strengthen the role of women as leaders and agents of change in their communities.

Impact

Potential of the project to generate impact in terms of concrete benefits for women and local communities, with particular attention to inclusivity and female empowerment, so that they contribute to changing social and economic dynamics through inclusion.

Feasibility

Practical feasibility of the idea and ability to overcome gender equality barriers, such as limited access to funding or support networks.

AWARDS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Among the 10 finalists, the following awards will be decreed, aimed at recognizing innovation and valuing commitment towards positive social change.

n. 2 Awards EmpowerHER Challenge
n. 2 Awards Innovative Women for Change
Award Imprese di Valore
Award Ideas for Change

For further information on awards and opportunities, please consult the announcement.

Other prizes and recognitions may be reserved for the finalist ideas/projects/companies, such as participation in national and international training programs, participation in national and international fairs and/or events, and company visits, within the limits of available resources.

FAQ

Topic: TEAM
Is it possible to form teams composed of students from different universities? Yes, teams can also be composed of students from different universities and schools in a mixed format.
If so, do all team members need to submit the application individually, or is it sufficient for one person to submit it on behalf of the group? Submission by the team leader is acceptable, provided they indicate the participation and members of the team. There is also the opportunity to submit a short video for the team’s presentation.
Can students who have already graduated from a master’s degree program and are undertaking a post-graduate Erasmus program with the University of Pisa participate? Yes.
For the “Ideas for Change” challenge aimed at middle schools, is the team’s presence required? No, it is not.