John Cabot University recently selected the winners of the Italy Starts 2025-2026 competition. This year’s program involved 37 students from nine Italian high schools in eight cities located in five regions. These students were separated into teams and guided by student mentors from different universities to learn the basics of developing a startup idea for a business or social venture with a vision toward improving our interaction with the environment.
Students also learned the importance of the interpersonal and communication skills required with remote teamwork and how to face unexpected challenges while under the pressure of deadlines to meet. Final prizes were awarded to the most promising idea and effective presentation. Each student received a certification of 40 hours of Work-Study Experience (Formazione Scuola-Lavoro).
Mentees and mentors alike found this program challenging and informative. The benefits of this international peer-to-peer entrepreneurial mentoring program are not only about improving English communication skills.
“Each year, we strive to form small teams composed of student mentees from as many different schools and cities as possible. This, in addition to the international characteristics of their mentors makes for a dynamic, creative situation that fosters innovative ideas,” stated Gina Marie Spinelli, executive coordinator of JCU’s Programs for High Schools.
First Place
The 500 Euro prize, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “BeAwear,” a startup idea for sustainability-focused clothing app that allows users to identify the key elements of their clothing, such as composition of materials, care instructions, and environmental impact.
The team was composed of students from Liceo Classico Giosuè Carducci in Milan, Liceo Giordano Bruno in Rome, and Liceo Scientifico G. Rummo in Benevento. Their mentor was from Marquette University.
Second Place
The 300 Euro prize, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “Let Me Cook Bio,” a startup idea for an app that helps users manage their pantry in a health-conscious way, reducing food waste and promoting local organic producers.
The team was composed of students from Liceo Scientifico G. Rummo in Benevento, Convitto Nazionale Marco Foscarini in Venice, Liceo Classico Giosuè Carducci in Milan, and Liceo Scientifico Vito Volterra in Ciampino. Their mentor was from John Cabot University.
Third Place
The 100 Euro prize, in the form of gift vouchers, is awarded to Team “WattWise,” a startup idea for an app to help families and young people track the amount of energy they use and consume more wisely.
The team was composed of students from Convitto Nazionale Marco Foscarini in Venice, Liceo Blaise Pascal in Pomezia, Liceo Scientifico G. Rummo in Benevento, and Liceo Classico Giosuè Carducci in Milan. Their mentor was from John Cabot University.
Special Mention for Innovative Design
Special Mention for Innovative Design goes to Team “Green Air.” which proposes a startup idea for an innovative process to reduce the CO2 concentration in the air by capturing carbon particles and transforming the extracted material into usable products.
The team was composed of students from Liceo Scientifico G. Rummo in Benevento, Convitto Nazionale Marco Foscarini in Venice, and Liceo Classico Giosuè Carducci in Milan. Their Mentor was from The American University of Armenia.
Special Mention for Responsible Consumption
Special Mention for Responsible Consumption goes to Team “ReGen,” a startup idea for an app to make it easier for eco-conscious people to build a community for free swapping of clothing and household items.
The team was composed of students from Liceo Blaise Pascal in Pomezia, and Liceo Classico Giosuè Carducci in Milan. Their mentor was from John Cabot University.
Congratulations to all participants for their work in this challenging program!
