Italia360

This summer, I participated in a startup business incubator program, run through DMZ in partnership with CIBPA Toronto. As one of 8 startups chosen out of more than 30 applicants, I feel very fortunate to have had this experience in venturing down the path of exploring my own business in the fashion industry. More to come on the launch of Restyle Atelier in the future! Participating in this Italia360 program had me reflecting on my Italian heritage, and my grandparents, who immigrated to Canada to enable me to have endless opportunities such as this one. I am so grateful! Apart from business learnings, the people involved made the program extra special. As mentors, John F. Lettieri and Mathew M. took the time to connect with me and provided invaluable insights to help develop my business idea further. Rose Ghamari believed in my idea and Jamelia Allen supported me through the program. It was wonderful to go through the program with such talented and lovely people, and I am thankful to have shared this amazing experience with them! Thank you DMZ and CIBPA Toronto for this amazing learning experience!

🎉 HUGE congratulations to all teams who were involved at Italia360 including CarePlus, Restyle, Ment Projects, Spuddy, Peartree & Clover, Learn Rewards, Silver Steps and Chicky Bakes. 👉 An even bigger congratulations to Julia Pia for winning the grand prize and showcasing her incredible startup Ment Projects to the judges at DMZ - Rose Ghamari, Tony Cocuzzo, CPA, CA, Nick Simone, and Sandro Giannini! 💡 Being an entrepreneur is tough, managing expectations and building a profitable idea is even harder. Watching all teams present their ideas and the actions they’ve taken to create tangible progress for their businesses has been incredible. Thank you again, Italia360 and to the sponsors: Turkish Airlines Deloitte Digital Hero Certified Burgers Pace Law Firm COSTI OMNI Television Sorbara Group of Companies Talent Garden YSpace, York University City of Markham RBC Capital Markets 

Please check out the spotlight from OMNI Television with reporter Gianpietro Nagliati Bravi regarding our Italia360 event last week.

Last week we had our Italia360 Demo Day, powered by CIBPA Toronto at the DMZ. Student participants pitched in front of an esteemed panel, making their case for the future of innovation. Among those in attendance were: MP Anna Roberts of the King-Vaughan region Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost & Vice-President Academic of Toronto Metropolitan University Mario Lofranco, Italia360 Board Member Tony Cocuzzo, CPA, CA, President, CIBPA Toronto Luca Zelioli, Consul General of Italy Congratulations to winner Julia Pia, founder of Ment Projects, on winning a trip to Italy provided by Turkish Airlines! Thank you to the program’s Trailblazing Partners—Deloitte, Pace Law Firm, and RBC, and our Change Maker Partners— City of Markham, Talent Garden, OMERS, YSpace, York University, Longo's, Sorbara Group of Companies, COSTI, Turkish Airlines, and OMNI Television, as well as John F. Lettieri, Board Chair of Italia360, and Matteo Picariello, CIBPA Advisor.

The Italia360 incubator program by CIBPA examined the candidates of its second edition yesterday evening! A wonderful initiative to support young generations and their entrepreneurship. Congratulations to the winner of the training trip to Italy; but all candidates presented innovative start-ups, and the choice was difficult for the jury! A program under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy in Toronto.

Hey this is Matthew. What a great summer! DMZ Italia360 was a great experience! Thanks to DMZ, YSpace, York University, Italia360, CIBPA Toronto and others. Special thanks to my team Vince Flores, Kelvin Vora and others. Shoutout to Sandro Giannini, Rose Ghamari, Adeana Ching-A-Sue, Jamelia Allen, Pouria Daliri, Deyana Attia, Mathew M., John Ruffolo, Johanna de Boer, David K., Nafis Ahmed and many many others for making the program so memorable! Great work to my fellow startups in the cohort!!! A lot of hard work, but fun work, and The Learn Team is just getting started! More news soon.

🌟I won!!!🌟 Two years ago, I started my entrepreneurship journey, stepping into the unknown with both excitement and apprehension. Pitch competitions, in particular, were something that always felt intimidating. But this summer, I challenged myself to step out of my comfort zone. That decision led me to an incredible opportunity, as I was accepted into the Italia360 Incubator Program in partnership with the DMZ and CIBPA Toronto. Yesterday, I had the honour of pitching my company, Ment Projects, alongside six other amazing teams, and I am thrilled to announce that I was selected as the Italia360 winner!🎉 This summer with Italia360 has been transformative. The program connected me with industry leaders and provided invaluable insights through workshops that expanded my knowledge and vision. Being surrounded by a community of inspiring entrepreneurs and supportive mentors truly elevated my journey as a founder. I’m more motivated than ever to take Ment Projects to new heights –exciting things are on the horizon, so stay tuned! A heartfelt thank you to all the organizers from the DMZ and CIBPA Toronto. Special thanks to my program mentors, Jennifer Renda, and Pouria Daliri, whose guidance was instrumental in this journey, as well as to the Italia360 judges, Rose Ghamari, Tony Cocuzzo, Nick Simone, and Sandro Giannini, for their belief in Ment Projects! #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Mentorship

Yesterday, we hosted Italia360 Demo Day, powered by CIBPA Toronto. Student participants pitched in front of an esteemed panel, making their case for the future of innovation. Among those in attendance were:  MP Anna Roberts of the King-Vaughan region  Dr. Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, Provost & Vice-President Academic of Toronto Metropolitan University   Mario Lofranco, Italia360 Board Member Tony Cocuzzo, CPA, CA, President, CIBPA Toronto Luca Zelioli, Consul General of Italy Congratulations to winner Julia Pia, founder of Ment Projects, on winning a trip to Italy! Thank you to the program’s Trailblazing partners— Deloitte, Pace Law Firm, and RBC, as well as John F. Lettieri, Board Chair of Italia360 and Matteo Picariello, CIBPA Advisor. Rose Ghamari, House of Commons of Canada Chambre des communes du Canada, Government of Canada

Oh yes... today is the day LinkedIn people! Learn Rewards is presenting at DMZ Italia360!!! Looking to showcase our team's hard work and talk directly with our community! This is why we work really hard making Learn Rewards, to get the chance to make a real and positive impact on our community. Who are we? Our fantastic Learn Team! Myself along with Vince Flores and Kelvin Vora. Thanks to DMZ, YSpace, York University, Italia360, CIBPA Toronto and many more!

It was amazing chatting with Julia Pia, who told me more about Ment Projects. Ment focusses on empowering academics, creatives and professionals to connect with mentors and create a network to fuel their journeys. 💡 Ment Projects has showcased the importance of self development through their podcast, which highlights the success and growth of individuals in different industries, including our very own, Stephanie Loureiro! 👉 You can check out the podcast here: ment-projects.com/podcast Julia Pia is one of the founders that's a part of the Italia360 DMZ program this summer. I will be sitting on a panel as one of the judges who will be scoring their product and learning about their focuses on the healthcare system has been exciting. Looking forward to September 4 ✌️ DMZ Deloitte Digital Pace Law Firm City of Markham Talent Garden OMERS Ventures YSpace, York University Longo's Omnicom Media Group COSTI Sorbara Group of Companies #careers #education #podcasts #professionals #stem #mentorship #academia #business #tech Under the auspices of: Consulate General of Italy in Toronto #CIBPAToronto #DMZ #Italia360 #Entrepreneurs #BusinessMentors #BusinessLeaders