WALLY EVENT AIMS TO UNEARTH THE INNOVATIONS OF TOMORROW

Wally is reaching out to the next generation of innovators as part of the celebrations to mark its 30th anniversary. The famous Monegasque yachting brand has been offering students the chance to pitch their own ideas as part of an initiative called wallybeacon. Three winning projects have received a cash prize.

The wallybeacon event reached its climax on 18-19 November, when the winners were chosen at an event held on H-FARM Campus. But the process began earlier in the autumn with a call for proposals which attracted over 80 students grouped into 20+ teams from international universities: Arsutoria School, Bocconi, H-FARM College, IED, International University of Monaco and POLI.design.

The challenge set by Wally was to develop an idea that delivered in one of three broad domains: personal goods, innovative living or smart services and experiences. In order to focus students’ thinking, the first category was focused on to footwear, bags and luggage; the second to multifunctional furniture and functional design objects; and the third to digital products, services and “phygital” experiences (the blending of digital and physical).

Once they had formed a team and picked a topic, participants had to come up with their idea, which they submitted to an initial selection process. The 16 teams that were successful at this stage then received support and mentoring from Wally and MAIZE, a company specialized in strategic design, part of Jakala Group. Each team had two business training sessions to develop their commercial understanding, four mentoring sessions to support the product/service itself and a final session aimed at refining the pitch deck.

Winning required not just a great product but a fantastic presentation in front of a panel of experts. To that end, teams were urged to think hard about who they were targeting and how. As well as conducting a market survey to validate the idea, they were asked to draw up a business model and a start-up roadmap, all taking sustainability into account. Teams were also expected to produce a prototype or a design concept.

Wallybeacon is a project designed to identify the next generation of innovators and teach them how to develop and present an idea professionally. Wally, long recognized as a symbol of innovation and revolution in the yachting market, sees value in passing on the principles that have led to its success and acclaim. At the same time, Wally benefits by building connections with the leaders of tomorrow.

Excitement reached fever pitch ahead of the two-day final event on 18-19 November. Wally Founder and Chief Designer Luca Bassani was among the headline speakers, joined by an effervescent and inspiring lineup that included Alessia Zecchini (Freediving World Champion), Azel (International Beatbox Champion), and Matteo Battiston (Chief Design Officer at EssilorLuxottica). There were plenty of networking opportunities, and the winning teams also had to pitch their ideas publicly to their peers.

Following all the winners:

3rd prize in the Smart Service and Experiences category: Wally Infinity created by Filippo Dainese, Riccardo Lovisetto and Alberto Pupulin from H-FARM College

The project stands out for achieving the best evaluation based on the criteria presented to the jury. It reflects Wally’s bold spirit and commitment to the well-being of its clients. Innovative in its approach, it seamlessly merges the physical and digital worlds through tangible experiences.

2nd prize in the Personal Goods category: JUMP created by Julia Baldini, Ugo Bompass, Matteo Bulla and Matan Laron from Arsutoria School

The concept demonstrates significant growth opportunities. The team has identified the correct strategic entry point, focusing not only on the functionality of a shoe but also on its development potential. This potential, enabled by the integration of new technologies applicable to the medical field, can become a distinctive feature within the innovation landscape.

Functionality extends beyond design, aesthetics, and technology, encompassing the use of high-quality technical materials, fully aligned with the brand’s philosophy.

1st prize in the Living Solutions category: SAVAcreated by Asia Paganessi, Valentina Panontin, Sofia Rossoni and Aurora Zottarel from H-FARM College.

The idea was selected for its innovative approach to sensitive organizing, its strong connection to the luxury world through the concept of “space free” and the scalability of the model, which allows for a focus on both product and service development.

Special mention in the category Smart Services and Experiences: Four Corners Crew created by Ksenia Kochineva, Nived Nair, Dhrumil Senghani and Congyi Wang from Bocconi University.

The three winning teams, along with all the motivated and inspiring young participants in the wallybeacon project, showcased a remarkable range of ideas. The event not only highlighted their creativity but also fostered meaningful exchanges between participants. The strong interest generated by wallybeacon positioned it as a promising platform to champion young innovators.

The initiative also serves as a source of inspiration for Wally as it explores opportunities to expand its renowned brand into new areas of design. The three categories featured in the event represent a potential direction for the brand’s future growth. Having already pushed design boundaries with two Compasso d’Oro awards and inspiring several international design exhibitions, Wally is now looking to broaden its scope to align with the strength and perception of its brand.