Mar. 10 – “I want Olivetti to be more than a production plant, I want it to be a model, a way of life. I want it to make freedom and beauty that tell us how to be happy.” These were words spoken by Adriano Olivetti before the workers of his factory in Ivrea. The businessman who made Italian typewriters one of the most modern and competitive in an international scenario in the post-WWII scene is still an icon of Italian success, creativity, and commitment. Olivetti – who built the first computer – in 1924 obtained a degree in chemical engineering from the Polytechnic of Turin and, after studying in the United States, he joined the family business in 1926. Today young Italian talents are preparing to fly to America and – as Olivetti did over 90 years ago – are ready to live new experiences, and acquire a set of winning skills. This is “Best,” an opportunity offered to Italian youths promoted in collaboration with the Italian Consulate in San Francisco. To participate, all you need is an idea. “Best” – supported by the Enel Foundation and Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa – gives selected candidates scholarships to stay for six months in the Silicon Valley, understanding how ideas and concepts are turned into successful businesses. Upon their return, the young entrepreneurs will be better equipped to turn their dreams into realities in Italy. The project was presented yesterday at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa by Carlo Papa, Director of the Enel Foundation: “The idea of traveling to the US and then returning to Italy – he commented – has proved central to the training of entrepreneurs like Adriano Olivetti, who, at the behest of his father, stayed in the US for six months. Today, our scholarship last just as much. During their stay in Silicon Valley, ‘cradle’ of start-ups that contributed to the history of this first part of the century, the winners will have the opportunity to study and see if their idea has the profile to become a successful start up. And if, as we hope, these conditions are there – continued Papa – our commitment is to create the basis for entrepreneurial start-ups in Italy. Just like Adriano Olivetti, who in the US found an important source of inspiration, we hope that our scholarship can serve talented youths, turning them into entrepreneurs.”
