Call for Startups: PLAI Scale Up Program

This program is specifically designed for startups that have moved beyond the initial concept phase and have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). It provides a grant along with workshops and mentoring focused on refining product-market fit and expansion strategies. A key feature of this program is its integration with the Mondadori ecosystem, Italy’s premier publisher and a major retail force with an extensive network of bookstores and a strong multimedia presence. This connection offers startups direct access to an influential cultural and digital landscape, aiding in significant market penetration and scaling efforts.

Key Verticals

• Education
  • PLAI is on the lookout for startups ready to transform the education landscape. If you’re harnessing the power of Generative AI to personalize learning experiences or create interactive and personalized educational content, they want you. Join them to redefine education, making it more accessible, engaging, and tailored to individual learning styles.
• New Media and Digital Advertising
  • Dive into the next generation of digital advertising and media with Generative AI. They’re seeking startups that are reimagining content creation, personalizing user experiences, and optimizing advertising strategies with AI. Whether you’re enhancing storytelling or revolutionizing ad tech, your vision can set new standards for engagement and innovation in the digital realm.
• Retail
  • PLAI invites startups to revolutionize the retail industry. From personalizing shopping experiences to optimizing supply chains and inventing new customer service solutions, Generative AI has the potential to change the game. If your startup is at the forefront of integrating AI into retail, creating seamless, efficient, and highly personalized shopping journeys, let’s shape the future of retail together.
• Books and Publishers
  • Calling all startups using Generative AI to disrupt the world of books and publishing. Whether you’re enhancing the way stories are told, optimizing the publishing process, or creating personalized reading experiences, PLAI is your platform to turn innovative ideas into reality. Together, they can write a new narrative for the publishing industry.

Benefits

• Intense 4-month hybrid program designed to enable growth at speed with more than 50+ hours of actionable Workshop
• 20+ hour of mentorship by the Acceleration team and a Network of Premium Managers and Entrepreneurs who provide hands-on support and valuable introductions in different area
• Mondadori extends your reach, linking you to over 500 bookstores across Italy’s cultural landscape and a leading voice in multimedia publishing
• 40k€ Grant

Eligibility Criteria

• PLAI Scaleup Program is a Mondadori Group’s Initiative to develop PoC and Pilot projects, Looking for companies:
  • in Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning, Generative AI, AI Virtual Assistants, AI Translation, AI Research & Development, Explainable AI (XAI), AI Recommendation System, AI Chatbots, Large Language Model (LLM), AI Model Training, AI Governance, AI Deployment, AI Ethics, Text Generation
  • located in Africa, Asia, Australia/NZ, Eastern Europe, Europe, Middle East, North America, South America
  • incorporated
  • users or paying users stage
  • Seed, Series A or Series B
  • have raised funding or not
  • currently raising or not raising funds
  • have revenue or not

For more information, visit Mondadori Group.