Lucca, Pisa, and Surroundings: Where Animals and Humans Thrive Together.

Is facilitating the bond between animals and humans at the heart of your business? We seek to support 15 entrepreneurs with mentorship, educational tools and connections to transform Lucca, Pisa and surroundings into areas where every resident, two-legged or four-legged, can flourish.

If you believe in the transformative power of fostering better relationships with other living beings and improving the wellbeing of local communities, this program is for you.

As part of the EU Horizon 2020 project, this is our second year supporting initiatives that seek to boost the creation of public spaces and activities that enhance the wellbeing of all living communities: both human and animal.

We are eager to support a wide range of initiatives. These include businesses in the following sectors: Human-animal smart cities, Animal lines, Recreational spaces, Cultural activities and pet-friendly tourism, Human-animal tourism, Wellness, Health, Nature conservation, Behavioral medicine, Animal welfare, Sustainable cities.

Whether you’re an animal or sustainability advocate eager to start a business in this area…  We have a space for you in our community!

Respecting and enjoying the company of other living beings can create a lasting impact on our city's harmony, wellbeing, and sustainability. That’s why we’re launching a second cohort to keep supporting entrepreneurs that make this a reality!

Last year, 13 Entrepreneurs with 13 different business ideas completed our entrepreneurship program. They received mentorship from our team and expert mentors, attended incredible community events and had the opportunity to expand their connections.

0 %
of the mentors would like to repeat this experience
0 %
of entrepreneurs would like to keep in touch with their mentors after the program
0 %
of participants will continue their journey as entrepreneurs after the program

Meet some of the ventures we’ve supported already:

Elia Lunghini
ARKA- Enjoy Nature

Creating a cutting-edge zoological garden and professional training campus, our project forms a unique scientific-cultural hub. This initiative fosters environmental awareness, interactive engagement, and endangered species preservation, while unifying efforts for holistic conservation.

Eleonora Pinello
Justfortails

Justfortails specializes in elevating pet-friendly accommodations, offering tailored services, expert consultation, and welfare-focused training. Our team ensures safe, cozy environments for pets, advocating a harmonious human-animal balance that boosts pet-friendly destinations and business growth. Globally recognized with awards and partnerships, we lead in innovative pet-oriented initiatives.

Cristina Fabbri
Il Bardotto

Rediscovering the profound relationship between humans and animals, we guide immersive experiences in a nurturing setting, fostering connection and learning. By placing life at the core of education, we shape meaningful connections, recognizing animals as key cohabitants in our journey of growth and understanding.

Dario Tolaini
VETRUST

With over a decade in veterinary expertise and a Marketing Management Master's, I've pioneered an app transforming veterinary practice in Italy. Empowering pet owners with quick triage tools, the app fosters awareness of pets' health and veterinarians' value. Bridging owners and vets, it forms a network for enhanced quality and direct care.

We believe you can succeed.

We know your idea has the power to shift the way we engage and enjoy biodiversity and have a meaningful impact on local communities.

We’re looking to support 15 business ideas in Lucca, Pisa and surrounding areas to bring this vision to life and yours can be one of them. Are you ready to dedicate 4 months to improve and set the foundations to grow your business with the latest entrepreneurship tools and mentorship support? Here’s what we have to offer:

Build friendships and a professional network with entrepreneurs in Lucca, Riga and Nitra to expand your business opportunities and community support.

Receive personalized mentorship that will help you guide your business decisions with leading experts.

After completion, you could be selected to travel to the IN-HABIT Consortium to present your business and the impact you make.

Connect to a network of organizations focused on business development, investment funds and many more opportunities!

Take it from those who've been there. This is what the entrepreneurs and mentors from the first cohort have to say about our program:

What makes us so successful?

Step-by-step learning and development

Our program is designed to guide you through each stage of your business journey. You will learn by doing practical exercises that can be applied to your business from the first day.

FLEXIBLE ONLINE LEARNING

Work from anywhere and at anytime using our online platform. All you need is an internet connection. Focus on your entrepreneurial journey without compromising your other responsibilities!

 
A MENTOR JUST FOR YOU!

We'll pair you with a mentor who will guide you personally, through weekly video calls. They'll provide an external perspective to help you with your business and its potential.

EXPERT SESSIONS

Join our industry-led webinars with experienced professionals. Get actionable advice and wonderful tips to grow your business from the best experts!

BE PART OF A COMMUNITY

Join a friendly community of entrepreneurs and business mentors. Share resources, make business alliances, and work through challenges together.

BUILD YOUR BUsiness PLan

After finishing all the modules on our platform, the system will automatically create your executive summary. Just download it and share with banks, investors or other stakeholders. A necessary tool to take your business to the next level!

FINAL EVENT

By the end of the program, we'll host a closing event where top finalists will get to present their business ideas to relevant stakeholders locally. All participants will be able to share their projects and network with the program partners.

What can I expect to gain from the program?

As an entrepreneur
As a mentor
Proven methodology

You will learn by doing with an approach inspired by MIT's Disciplined Entrepreneurship. More than 2900 entrepreneurs from 120+ countries have already gone through our methodology! 

Mentorship guidance

You will work closely with a mentor who will guide you throughout the length of the program. Have weekly video sessions where you will review their work, get feedback, and resolve any questions.

Global Network

You will connect with the rest of the program participants, a community of peer entrepreneurs working in your city towards the same goals as you. Connect with them throughout the different program sessions to share resources and tackle challenges together.

Your own executive summary

Founders will work on their business step by step while generating a validated business plan and executive summary. You will be able to download a PDF version to later present it in front of investors, other co-founders, etc.

Anytime, Anywhere

Collaborate from anywhere at any time through our online platform; no barriers, limits, or excuses; just an internet connection!

Exclusive perks

Access to expert masterclasses + more than 30K in discounts on HubSpot, Amazon WS, Google Suite, MailJet, IBM…

Pitch your business

At the end of the program, you will join our pitch competition during the final Demo Day with relevant stakeholders from the ecosystem.

Requirements for entrepreneurs​

Requirements for mentors

What will I learn during this program?

Learn how to manage finances, develop a marketing strategy and create a solid business plan.

 

Value proposition

Define how your product or service is different and valuable to your customers.

Competition Map

Make your product or service stand out from your competition when selling to the same customers.

Stakeholder map

Confidently identify the individuals or groups that have a strong interest or involvement in your project.

Business model & marketing

Promote your products effectively and sell more at the right price.

Pricing & Business Availability

Ensure that your business stays profitable over time.

Financial Projections

Plan the financial stability and money management for the next 3 years of your business.

Impact Plan

Design how your business will contribute to your sector and region and set how you'll measure it.

Growth Plan

Set growth goals and priorities and monitor your advancements in achieving these as time passes.

Apply before the date!

Days
Hours
Minutes

November 24th, 2023

Want to know more about the incubation program?​

Sign up for one of our info sessions on zoom on the following dates:

Timeline

01
01

Apply to the program

Until November 24th, 2023

Tell us more about you and your business idea (for entrepreneurs) or your professional experience (for mentors) by applying below. Our team will assess all applications and select the profiles of entrepreneurs and mentors that have the best fit with the program.

Apply now >

02
02

Announcement of selected candidates

By December 1st, 2023

We will review all the applications and we will select the entrepreneurs and mentors to participate in the IN-HABIT Lucca Incubation Program.

03
03

Attend to the onboarding session

Beginning of December

If selected, we will invite you to participate in an informative session to welcome you to the incubation program. In this session, we will cover the role of program participants, what the relationship between mentors and projects will be like, the use of the Bridge for Billions incubation platform, and much more!

04
04

Mentors and Entrepreneurs Matching

From December 4th to 22nd, 2023

Take part in our matching process! Entrepreneurs and mentors will have the possibility to meet in different virtual sessions of their choice. Once you have been able to meet different profiles, both will send their preferences to let us know who they want to work with and make the best teams.

05
05

Online Incubation Program

From January to May

Start the online incubation experience with mentoring sessions, work tools, and structured development.

  • Entrepreneurs and mentors will have 4 months to complete the incubation cycle and develop their validated business plan.
  • Entrepreneurs will cover the most important parts of their business (from refining the value proposition to generating a clear growth plan).
  • Mentors will meet weekly with their entrepreneurs in one-on-one sessions to go through the 8 business modules.
  • Ventures will finish the program by developing a business plan and executive summary ready to present to investors, for example.
  • After completing the program, finalist ventures will be invited to an in-person pitch session so they can present their projects on our final Demo Day (more details will be shared throughout the program).
06
06

Demo Day

Beginning of June

Learn how you can be part of our program to support entrepreneurs in Lucca and join our online info session. Leave us your details and our Program manager will contact you.

What is IN-HABIT?

IN-HABIT is an EU Horizon 2020 project that aims to foster inclusive health and well-being (IHW) in four peripheral small and medium-sized cities (SMSCs): Córdoba (Spain), Riga (Latvia), Lucca (Italy), and Nitra (Slovakia).

In each city, the project will mobilize existing undervalued resources (culture, food, human-animal bonds, and environment) to increase IHW, with a focus on gender, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The integrated approach will combine technological, digital, nature-based, cultural, and social innovations in selected urban public spaces. These solutions will be co-designed, co-deployed, and co-managed with and by local stakeholders.

The best methodology

Our 4-month entrepreneurship program is divided into 8 business modules which allow entrepreneurs to go step-by-step from business idea to market in a short period of time, at the same time allow mentors to follow up on any advancement they make.

Far from theory, our pedagogy pushes participants to formulate their ideas and answer the tough questions. It invites them to “get out there”, talk to people, research, and validate their ideas. Mentor will be there for the participants every week, supporting, challenging assumptions, and offering a fresh perspective.

At the end of the program, you will not only have a business plan to present to potential investors or new co-founders and team, but you will have total peace of mind that you are building a business validated by your potential clients.

Questions about the programme?

For entrepreneurs

For mentors

Can’t find your question here?

Contact Bianca Breveglieri, Incubation Manager of the IN-HABIT Incubation Program, if you have any questions.

This program has been built by

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 869227

For more information, please visit our website