SPARKme

SPARKme is a Technology Accelerator, in Matera, within which to develop “technology transfer and capacity building” actions to facilitate the use of space technologies and systems (especially satellite) for innovative commercial applications (products and/or services). To do this, SPARKme works through the exchange of experiences, the sharing of knowledge, mutual contamination and comparison between entrepreneurs, pooling the enormous wealth of knowledge of its partners and its network: Italian and European Space Agency (ASI and ESA), C.N.R., E4Impact Foundation, OPENET, also triggering cross-fertilization processes by “contaminating” further sectors of activity.

Opportunities and Advantages
There are numerous opportunities and advantages offered by SPARKme to those who decide to settle in the Matera Accelerator, the first European Business Accelerator dedicated to Space Business:

• particularly stimulating territorial context characterized by a high concentration of businesses, production districts, economic and territorial government bodies, research institutes and university system capable of promoting a better dialogue between academic, entrepreneurial and scientific culture.
• availability of physical structures (with modular and flexible spaces according to different needs), cutting-edge technological systems and infrastructure and specific and customized instruments, easily accessible and equippable solutions offered at competitive costs.

Who can take office

• Innovators
• Businesses in gestation
• New businesses
• Manufacturing and service companies in transformation
• Public and private bodies and institutions
• Research and training institutions

General Services
SPARKme provides its residents with multiple support services for their various activities:

• Logistics and support services

• Spaces and laboratories both built on the basis of standard modules and customized according to the needs of the individual resident and his activity with high safety standards
• Offices equipped with the most advanced technologies and the most up-to-date infrastructures
• Coworking Spaces
• Plant maintenance
• Ideal natural lighting
• Efficient lighting technology
• Air Conditioning and Heating
• Cleaning and waste removal
• Parking
• Telephone and Internet connection services
• Correspondence sorting

• Technological resources

• high speed fiber connection
• high speed satellite connection
• equipped laboratories (3D printers, multimedia production tools)
• stations for experimentation on the new 5G standard

• Common Services

• Reception
• Meeting Rooms
• Conference Room
• Classrooms for training activities
• Bar, Cafe

• Specialist consultancy services

• Scouting: Selection of innovative business ideas and projects
  SPARKme carries out careful scouting activities through independent or partnership initiatives. Help to develop your idea, test it to verify the market possibilities, create the team, develop a business plan, interact with potential customers and investors on the market are some of the steps thanks to which SPARKme transforms talent into business.
• Tutorship & Coaching: Team Consolidation and Prototyping
  SPARKme offers an intense entrepreneurial empowerment program, specifically designed for startups, in collaboration with E4Impact, the business school of the Catholic University of Milan for specific skills. The Program also offers testimonials from key players in the entrepreneurial and venture capital world, specialized seminars on key topics for the development of a startup and workshops dedicated to exploring specific technological topics.
• Mentorship: Business model refinement and market validation
  The mentoring program is a path designed specifically for SPARKme startups. Each entrepreneurial initiative is supported by one or more mentors with proven value and specific experience in the sector to which they belong, who offer support to accelerate the growth of individual startups. SPARKme Mentors are managers, entrepreneurs or investors in different innovation sectors who help grow and improve the products and services of incubated startups.
• Advisory: Support for funding and scale-ups
  Service offered to SPARKme startups with the aim of supporting them in private or public fundraising activities. Furthermore, SPARKme works, through the R&D consultants of Openet Technologies and its network (ASI, ESA, CNR, UNIBAS and UNIBA) to identify the main public, national and international sources of funding for startups and to build specific co-financed applied research projects.
• Open Innovation: We help companies innovate
  SPARKme supports established companies in “open” innovation processes by identifying and selecting the best startups and supporting the development of new innovative technological enterprises. The main services supporting “open” innovation offered by SPARKme are:
• • • Startup Intelligence: the permanent Observatory aimed at monitoring the evolution of the startup ecosystem at an international and national level and transferring and sharing these results with the Innovation Managers of the main Italian companies.
    • Hackathon: events that bring together specific experts on topics of interest to solve concrete, technological and business challenges in a short time.
    • Startup Scounting & Innovation Consultancy: we support companies in identifying startups capable of fostering their innovation and facilitate the integration of the startup's services into their business model.
    • Call for Ideas: initiatives aimed at collecting the best innovative ideas in specific areas and providing proponents with all the cultural and methodological tools to transform them into valuable entrepreneurial initiatives.
    • Tailored Startup: we identify and model tailor-made startups capable of satisfying a company’s innovation needs.
    • Corporate Spin-off: we incubate and help grow corporate spin-offs, in a highly innovative district and independently from possible corporate constraints.

Additional services available upon request.

Area Coworking

SPARKme is also an innovative coworking space where you can get in touch with other entrepreneurs, creatives, IT experts and freelancers, being able to access resources, be inspired by the work of others, have innovative ideas, develop useful relationships and identify market opportunities. The area is equipped with the most advanced technologies and has the most up-to-date infrastructure (high-speed wifi, satellite connection, more). The workstations can be rented on a per-access, per-hour or fixed basis. The open space is a modern shared workspace, the innovative nature of this workspace lies in its structure and concept. It is a creative, dynamic and engaging environment, where professionals, startuppers and companies can find concentration and motivation to carry out their work.
The advantages of working in a shared office are many, the network, the community, the events and the possibility of increasing business and skills. Furthermore, all utilities are included in the rent due, heating, water, parking, electricity, wifi will no longer be a problem. Furthermore, you will be able to take advantage of free consultations and enter the support paths for the calls for tenders.