Seven startups, four thematic areas, and an acceleration program that does not require equity stakes. The first edition of Vortex powered by MitdesignX kicked off on September 17 in Venice. This new program builds on the experience of four editions of MitdesignX Venice and is designed to further develop the innovation support initiative launched in Venice by SerenDPT in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The seven selected teams are Aere, Fiscobud, Iuspert, NowHere, Sorti, Tollerante, and Workface—companies operating in different sectors but united by the goal of transforming concrete needs into innovative solutions and scalable business models. The selection process took place following the application period, which opened on July 3 and closed on August 9. The proposals underwent an initial evaluation, which resulted in a shortlist of finalists, followed by individual interviews with the mentors—the professionals tasked with guiding the teams throughout the program.
The seven startups operate in a wide range of fields: from cultural heritage to legal services, from the future of work to the circular economy, from event management to professional services and food. This diversity also reflects the four areas on which Vortex focuses its attention: Culture, Heritage, and Tourism; Cities, Mobility, and Public Services; Climate, Energy, and the Environment; and Work, Learning, and Talent
Three-dimensional copies of cultural heritage. Aere offers an open-source web platform—that is, one based on software whose code can be freely used and developed—to create and manage three-dimensional digital copies of cultural heritage obtained through photography. The project combines artificial intelligence and augmented reality tools, with the goal of putting digital technologies to work in the service of knowledge and the promotion of cultural heritage.
Software for quotes, invoices, and management… Fiscobud, on the other hand, operates in the realm of services for professionals. The startup has developed software that can be used directly online, designed for those operating under a flat-rate tax system. The platform brings together quotes, invoicing, payment management, and work organization in a single environment, aiming to simplify administrative and management tasks.
AI for lawyers and clients. The Iuspert project is dedicated to technologies applied to legal services; it is a platform that uses artificial intelligence to connect clients with pre-screened lawyers. The service also includes an initial video consultation at a fixed price, offering more immediate and structured access to legal services.
A platform for organizing events. NowHere, on the other hand, caters to the events industry with an online platform that brings together all the various tasks required to organize events in a single environment. Artificial intelligence tools are used to coordinate aspects such as venue selection, services, contracts, and tax compliance, with the goal of streamlining a process that is currently often spread across multiple stakeholders and systems.
A smart trash can. Sorti operates in the circular economy sector and has developed Eve, a smart trash can capable of automatically recognizing and sorting waste directly at the source. The device is specifically designed for indoor environments with high foot traffic, such as universities, airports, and offices, where proper waste separation can become an integral part of daily facility management.
Locally Sourced Gelato. Tollerante brings the theme of food and the promotion of local supply chains to the program through a project dedicated to artisanal plant-based and gluten-free gelato. The initiative focuses on ingredients from the Dolomite region, wild herbs, and small berries, fostering relationships with local producers and short supply chains.
An app that connects businesses and job seekers. It rounds out the Workface suite, an application designed to match job supply and demand based on profession and geographic location. The project focuses primarily on sectors characterized by high employee turnover, such as hospitality, construction, logistics, and retail, with the aim of facilitating more direct connections between employers and job seekers.
The program will be conducted in Italian and English and will be supported by a network of professionals with expertise in helping startups launch and grow, as well as in design, technology, sustainability, organizational innovation, and business development.
The program will take place entirely in person at Fabbrica H3, an innovation hub managed by SerenDPT in the former Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian on the island of Giudecca. From September through November, the teams will participate in four intensive sessions, each lasting two days, alternating between group sessions, small-group activities, and direct interaction with mentors and experts. The method adopted is the business design and development framework developed by MitdesignX, structured in four phases. “Understand” focuses on understanding the need, the users, the market, and the stakeholders; “Solve” guides participants from defining the problem to testing the solution; “Envision” addresses the vision, business model, and organization; and finally, “Deploy” translates the work done into an operational and financial plan, a strategy for securing resources, and an effective presentation of the business.
The Founding Mentors are Andrea Marella, Davide Tiso, Fabio Carrera, Gianpaolo Ferrarin, Luca Giuman, Sara Mariani, and Tommaso Cesano. The new initiative builds on the legacy of MitdesignX Venice but introduces a new format. After four editions, Vortex is now managed directly by SerenDPT under a MIT license.
Of the 31 participants in the four editions of MitdesignX Venice, 18 startups are still active, representing a 58 percent survival rate two to four years after participation: a particularly significant figure when compared to the average survival rates generally associated with startups and to those recorded by leading international programs.
The next steps. The test now moves on to the seven new teams. The program will kick off on September 17 and continue through the final presentation on November 30, with two intermediate sessions dedicated to evaluating and refining the teams’ project presentation skills. It will be then that Aere, Fiscobud, Iuspert, NowHere, Sorti, Tollerante, and Workface will present to investors, partners, and other stakeholders the results of a process built step by step: from defining the problem to validating the solution, all the way to the business model and development strategy.
Stefano Nava
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