A USI startup ranked among the top three in Switzerland

Nicola Scarinzi and Manuel Bonù, two students at the Faculty of Economics at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), are the founders of DEC Energy. Their startup was recognised as one of the top three best Swiss startups in the Finance and Insurance category at the >>venture>> competition. Il Quotidiano dedicated an article to the project.

"After exchanging several ideas, we decided to proceed with the venture. Within a few days, we submitted our application to the USI Startup Centre and joined a support programme for early-stage startups," explained Manuel Bonù, who then outlined the idea behind the startup, which focuses on renewable energy: "DEC Energy enables companies to improve their social and environmental impact, as well as their economic and financial impact."

"Today, companies buy electricity and, to make it renewable, they have to accompany it with certifications," continued Nicola Scarinzi. DEC Energy's proposal, on the other hand, is an innovative alternative: it is a platform that allows companies to rent a photovoltaic system: "Companies have the flexibility to select how much of their energy consumption they want to convert to renewable sources. With just a few clicks, they can sign a rental contract for the number of required photovoltaic panels. It is our responsibility to simplify this process for businesses, ensuring that by the end of the year, they receive the necessary certificates to declare their energy consumption as renewable," explained the students.

"In addition," added Nicola Scarinzi, "the energy produced by the solar panels is sold within local communities, thus also having a positive social impact."

A farmer from Melano has already joined the project, providing the space needed to install the panels in exchange for free use of the energy produced.

The idea of the two USI students was ranked among the top three in their category out of 396 projects submitted to >>venture>>, a competition for Swiss startups. Launched in 1997, >>venture>> has been supporting innovative business ideas for over 25 years. This year, 18 finalists, three for each of the six sectors (Health and Nutrition, Finance and Insurance, ICT, Industry and Engineering, Retail and Consumer Services, Social and Environmental Impact), were selected from 396 applicants. These teams impressed the >>venture>> jury and advisory board with their innovative solutions.