The Consulate of Italy in Detroit, under the leadership of Consul Allegra Baistrocchi, continues its efforts to promote Italian excellence in the U.S. territory, with a special focus on technological innovation and sustainability.

Thanks to the collaboration with RetImpresa - Agenzia di Confindustria, Reputation Research and We The Italians, three Italian startups operating in the sustainable mobility sector were selected to participate in The Perfect Pitch competition, an initiative that allowed them to present themselves to Michigan's main stakeholders and venture capitalists, thanks to the tireless work of the diplomatic structure.

This year also marks the third edition of LoveITDetroit, an event now recognized as a platform for promoting Italian innovation, completely dedicated to advanced technologies. In this edition, the focus was on sectors of great global relevance: artificial intelligence, robotics, sustainability and energy.

Michigan's Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II attended the final event again this year, emphasizing Michigan's great interest in Italy, drawing out the guidelines for greater collaboration between the two countries, and following up on the Consulate's commitment in this direction.

Consul Baistrocchi enthusiastically commented, “The events we organize aim to show contemporary Italy in all its facets. Italian startups are a splendid example of our excellence. Following the lead of the Italian G7 presidency, we are promoting an agenda that focuses on innovation, artificial intelligence and technology, while giving space to the new Italian generations.”

A key role in this journey has been played by RetImpresa, which aims to bring together supply and demand for innovation in key sectors, through its Rock competition has given Italian startups concrete opportunities to obtain funding and start an expansion project in the United States. This program has created a real bridge between Italian innovation and the U.S. market, opening the door to new possibilities for growth.

RetImpresa Director Carlo La Rotonda said, “With the invaluable support of the Italian Consulate, Rock's best startups developed networking and enriched their professional backgrounds, improving the content and communication aspects of the business pitch, and above all the network of international relationships that are strategic for entering a market like the U.S.”

The big news this year was the presence of cameras documenting the entire journey, from startup selections to meetings with investors. This material will become a TV program, with journalist and TV host Monica Marangoni, Davide Ippolito, founder of Reputation Research, and RetImpresa Director Carlo La Rotonda as judges and mentors of the startups.

Davide Ippolito, an expert in reputation and communication, commented, “This program is not only entertainment, but also a real business training. It is at the same time a service for Sistema Italia and for our country, and can be considered in all respects a public service.” Ippolito emphasized that this initiative not only promotes Italian excellence, but also strengthens Italy's reputation as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.

This initiative is in continuity with the work done by the Consulate in recent years to combat stereotypes on both fronts. In Michigan, for years there has been a narrative of an image of Italy still tied exclusively to old traditions, while today Italy is a cutting-edge nation with strong economic and technological ties to the rest of the world. At the same time, even in Italy there is a limited perception of Michigan, and in particular Detroit, often still seen through the prism of the industrial past. The Consulate works to change this perception, showing the extraordinary potential of a region that is now a hub for innovation and technology, capable of attracting investment and strategic partnerships.

This ongoing commitment of the Consulate is part of a broader project to enhance the value of Italy, which Baistrocchi has pursued with concrete and relevant results. Over the past three years, the Consulate has produced more than 100 events that reflect Italy's transformation on multiple fronts. The first edition of LoveITDetroit was entirely dedicated to Made in Italy, celebrating Italian craftsmanship and design. The following year, the theme of sustainability dominated the second edition, with events characterized by a sustainable approach, both in content and setup.

Now, in 2024, the Consulate looks to the future, pursuing an agenda that focuses on innovation and technology to bring out Italian excellence in an increasingly competitive global environment.