Unveiling entrepreneurial potentials: an insider’s look into StartupGym’s Discovery Workshop

At StartupGym, we prioritize people and believe in unveiling entrepreneurial talents early on to shape ideas with the potential to leave a mark on people’s lives. Our recent two-day Discovery Workshop at our new office in Milan showcased this mindset. The workshop is a crafted event aimed at bringing together potential founders and StartupGym experts to collaboratively explore, develop and test new business ideas within a supportive and structured environment. Its goals stretch from fostering innovative thinking and collaboration to practically applying our investment thesis in a real-world setting, all within a compact timeframe. This initiative underscores our holistic approach towards nurturing entrepreneurial ventures from the ground up. The location, the lively Paolo Sarpi area, known for its blend of tradition and innovation, aligns well with our core values of merging solid business fundamentals with fresh, forward-thinking ideas.

The response to our call for the workshop was substantial, with over 150 applicants. After a rigorous selection process, six potential founders qualified to work in two teams alongside StartupGym experts in a condensed Design Sprint. What typically spans five days was ambitiously structured to fit within 36 hours, demonstrating a high-intensity approach to venture creation.

The workshop was inaugurated by Enrico Pandian, Founding partner of StartupGym, followed by an insightful presentation by our investment team on a well-researched investment thesis concerning the transformation of Italy’s healthcare sector by the means of a network effect model among doctors.

Unlike standard design sprints, the teams had a day and a night to navigate through the phases of a regular 5-day sprint. The pressure was palpable from the first minute, starting with an exercise to frame the significant problems to solve (How Might We), followed by ideation and culminating in a fully presentable prototype.

In tandem, the teams worked on sketching a pitch deck around the idea, envisioning a sustainable business model. This dual approach ensured a comprehensive understanding and articulation of the venture from both a product and business perspective.

The highlight was the pitch session in front of an experienced panel, including Paolo Galvani, Co-Founder of Moneyfarm, Giuseppe Balzano, Co-Founder of StartupGym, Stefano Ademollo, Investment Analyst of StartupGym and Alessandro Onano, CMO of Tymit. The feedback from the panel was invaluable, providing pragmatic assessments and further acquainting the participants with the practical dimensions of venture creation.

The aspiring founders were able to test their enthusiasm for the healthcare sector and got creative with potential peer founders. For StartupGym, it was an opportunity to understand these high-potential founders more in-depth, potentially marking the beginning of a successful joint venture-building journey.

The event demonstrated the essence of StartupGym’s model, reflecting our systematic approach. Starting with a solid investment thesis, selecting the suitable talent, and extending comprehensive support to navigate the intricate path of venture creation.

This was not just a two-day exercise; it was a microcosm of what StartupGym stands for: a platform where ideas are shaped, refined, and prepared for real-world market dynamics. We are continuously searching for individuals with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, ready to traverse the challenging yet rewarding path of venture creation.

If the startup realm intrigues you, if the thought of turning a nascent idea into a market-ready product excites you, StartupGym is where you belong.

Join us in shaping the future, one venture at a time.