GhenPower wins the first edition of the PKB AddVenture Academy

On the evening of September 20th, Hotel Luganodante's Creative Box hosted the final event of the first PKB AddVenture Academy. The initiative, promoted by PKB Private Bank and Match Strategies, spotlighted three innovative startups based in Ticino: DolcePack (Packaging), Elysium Lab (Fintech), and GhenPower (Cleantech). Following a 6-minute pitch by each project, the audience played a pivotal role in determining the winning startup through a voting process, which complemented the vote of PKB’s jury.

GhenPower emerged as the winner, securing the spotlight with its innovative hydrogen-fueled generator capable of converting hydrogen into electrical energy using fuel cell technology. The startup based in Bellinzona received a 12-month voucher granting access to PKB's global network of offices and a Swiss railway pass to facilitate sustainable meetings with investors and partners across Switzerland.

Pasqualino Pansardi, Co-Founder and CEO of GhenPower, stated: "While our project is relatively young, it benefits from the backing of a well-established company like Premel SA. Our goal is to uproot existing energy-related beliefs, disrupting outdated concepts and providing a dependable, environmentally friendly energy source to meet the ever-expanding demands of diverse markets."

Meet the innovators of the first edition

Here are the three startups that took part in the inaugural edition of the PKB AddVenture Academy, benefiting from 120 hours of tailor-made strategic and operational support delivered by Match Strategies in collaboration with PKB and external professionals:

• DolcePack – Has created an innovative machine designed for packaging diverse products in flexible, recyclable pouches. Its software ecosystem allows efficient machinery monitoring, pay-per-use models, and strategic packaging centers to minimize product transportation.
• Elysium Lab – On a mission to democratize access to digital assets, it has developed a digital wallet that leverages advanced technologies such as account abstraction and biometrics and enhances security and decentralization.
• GhenPower – Has already tested and validated a hydrogen-fueled generator capable of converting hydrogen into electrical energy using fuel cell technology. This plug-and-play system offers customizable power outputs, tailored to meet specific customer needs.

The selection process prioritized an evaluation of the potential of each startup, based on various essential parameters. Alessandro Trabaldo Togna, Head of Strategic & Growth Initiatives at PKB, emphasised: "Our programme is specifically geared toward supporting high-potential Swiss startups through strategic and operational assistance, complementing existing initiatives by assisting startups in establishing a strong foundation for building a scalable and successful business."

The call for the second edition will open soon

PKB and Match Strategies are already planning the second edition of the programme, with applications set to open in the upcoming months. Giorgia Pati, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Match Strategies, affirmed: "We want to provide an even more tailored experience for each project. By limiting the number of participants, we can offer bespoke support that maximizes the benefits for each startup."

(Luca Calderara)