Sace launches the Export Challenge for students and recent graduates

The third challenge addresses climate and environmental risks, with the aim of developing solutions to assess and manage the risks affecting plants, suppliers and transport, safeguard the continuity of exports, and meet the environmental requirements set by foreign markets and customers.

Up to 10 teams will be selected to take part in the SmartLab, a four-week programme tentatively scheduled for January and February 2027, which will support participants in developing their proposals through training, mentoring and coaching.

The programme will include activities focusing on Business Concepts, AI Validation and Pitch Enhancement, alongside individual coaching sessions and pitch reviews. The teams will work to define the problem being addressed, the target audience, how the solution works and the expected benefits for the exporting company.

The teams selected for the Final Pitch, the date of which will be announced at a later date, will present their business concept to a panel of judges. The total prize fund is 6,000 euros, distributed as follows: 3,000 euros for first place, 2,000 euros for second place and 1,000 euros for third place.

“Innovation is a strategic lever for strengthening the competitiveness of Italian businesses and supporting them as they tackle the challenges of increasingly complex international markets. With the SACE Export Challenge, we aim to open the doors to the ideas, talent and creativity of the younger generations, building a bridge between the world of innovation and the practical needs of our manufacturing sector. In line with the objectives of the SACE50 Strategic Plan, we intend to promote an Open Innovation model capable of transforming new insights into concrete solutions, anticipating risks and generating value for businesses. “The collaboration with Zest represents a further step on our journey towards an increasingly innovative, open and connected SACE within the innovation ecosystem,” said Antonio Frezza, Chief Marketing, Innovation & Operations at SACE.

“The best ideas emerge when people with different skills work on the same problem. For us, partnering with SACE has always been an opportunity to share our expertise in start-ups, acceleration and Open Innovation, and through the SACE Export Challenge, to help develop practical solutions to the risks associated with exporting – from geopolitical tensions and cyber threats to the effects of climate events. We are reaching out to students and young innovation specialists, so that they can bring fresh perspectives to complex challenges: our aim is to support teams in transforming their insights into solid proposals. “We firmly believe that the combination of ideas, methodology and market knowledge is the best way to make a real impact,” said Antonella Zullo, Chief Executive of Zest Innovation.

To apply, you must submit your application via the website: saceexportchallenge.it