(ANSA) - Rome, November 10 - Thirty finalists from across
Italy are competing for the Edison Start prize launched by the
utility to celebrate its 130th anniversary.
The prize will be reward the most innovative ideas in the
energy, social development and smart community sectors.
Projects competing for an award include a 'smart' floor
that produces energy when someone steps on it, high-tech glasses
for blind people, 'sustainable' prisons and an ethical resort in
Sicily.
The three winners will be awarded on Wednesday, November
12, in Milan.
The proposals that will be most innovative, useful and
business-savvy will be granted 100,000 euros each, as well as
support and advice from a team of Edison managers and experts
from Milan's Bocconi University, the MIP Polytechnic University
of Milan and Assolombarda.
The competition, which officially kicked off on January 13,
saw the participation of 841 projects from all regions across
Italy, though the majority came from Lombardy, Lazio and Emilia
Romagna.
The students, researchers, small and medium-sized
businesses as well as NGOs behind the projects also had to
network and use social media to promote their ideas.
The 30 finalists, selected after three months by the web
community, then completed their projects in the second phase of
the competition, with the support of tutors.
Innovative ideas vie for Edison prize
Three of 30 finalists to win awards on Wednesday