At Expo Milano 2015, a Feeding the Accelerator program will help up to 12 food-tech entrepreneurs develop their pioneering solutions to global food challenges, giving the world an opportunity to witness American collaboration at work. The program will help these “rising food-tech stars,” selected through a global call for application, reach their full potential by accelerating them with the help of leading mentors in the context of the Expo, engaging the full ecosystem to support the selected entrepreneurs. This includes broadcasting through USA Pavilion channels. The call for application is open through May 15.
The entrepreneurs will be invited to participate in a unique accelerator program during the Expo, tightly integrated with the USA Pavilion and mentored by leading experts on food and tech. The accelerator is free, selected participants need only pay for their trip to Milan and lodging. With the opportunity to connect with opinion leaders, potential customers and partners from all over the world, participants will be provided with a launch pad and a communication platform as one of the USA Pavilion’s examples of the future of food sector. Additionally, the Accelerator will run a virtual bootstrapping program for the selected teams from July through August plus a physical Accelerator during September in Milan. The program is to be hosted in a workspace by Copernico, a technology hub in Milan inspired by Silicon Valley.
The program will produce a series of workshops, seminars, lectures and discussions with guest lecturers and mentors from across the entire food system spectrum. Additionally, 36-hour hackathons, held in various international locations, will gather problem-solving teams around the challenges for the food sector.
Expo Milano 2015 is the Universal Exhibition that Milan, Italy, will host from May 1 to October 31, 2015. Over this six-month period, Milan will become a global showcase where more than 140 participating countries will show the best of their technology that offers a concrete answer to a vital need: being able to guarantee healthy, safe and sufficient food for everyone, while respecting the planet and its equilibrium. In addition to the exhibitor nations, the Expo involves international organizations, and expects to welcome over 20 million visitors to its 1.1 million square meters of exhibition area.