Action for 5G

Yes, by creating an Action for 5G account for each project.

• A clear and concise presentation of the project in 5G and the business opportunity (PDF, max. 10 Mega).
• The URL of a video pitch lasting 4-7 minutes, uploaded onto a free platform (like YouTube or Vimeo) in which the team introduces itself and describes the project. Remember to provide the password if the access is protected.
• Any further technical documentation with more details on the architecture and the solution. Optional file. (PDF, max. 10 Mega).
• A file containing the CVs of all team members (PDF, max. 10 Mega).

All the documents can be either in Italian or English.

The presentation must include the competitive scenario, the description of the needs fulfilled by the solution and the addressed target, the technology developed and/or used and the future evolutions, the business model and the development plan (timing and costs) for the different phases of Action for 5G. It must communicate the strengths of the solution, showing how 5G technology, Vodafone edge computing or mobility platform, are enabling and distinctive features.

No, the startup must have already been established when the project is submitted.

Yes, you can participate in the call if you have an innovative project with a reliable and defensible competitive advantage, in which 5G is a distinctive and enabling feature. You must also have assets, resources, and teams dedicated exclusively to the project you intend to present.

It's not necessary, it's up to you. If you decide to create a spin-off, you commit to contribute resources and assets of the dedicated line of business to the project selected and funded with the Action for 5G program..

Yes, but only if you take part in the Vodafone 5G Trial and with different projects from those involved in the 5G Trial itself.

The call is open also to international companies operating in Italy or wishing to start their business in Italy.

Yes, it is not necessary to operate in the Milan area.

Yes, you can apply to the call and start testing your solution with the current NB-IoT and CAT-M technology on the 4G network on the frequency bands already available today. Subsequently, the project can be scaled on the 5G network and on further frequency bands by fully exploiting the potential of the 5G network in terms of IoT, allowing millions of objects to be connected per square kilometer.

Yes, but to be selected you must prove the benefits brought to the project by 5G or Vodafone edge computing (MEC) or connected mobility (STEP) platforms (e.g. significant improvement of the customer experience, new customer targets, new features or services).

Yes, but only in the case of innovative ideas that can be developed exclusively in 5G, using edge computing (MEC) or connected mobility (STEP) Vodafone platforms.

The selected companies will receive advice from Vodafone experts and access to technical-specialist services from PoliHub and/or Politecnico di Milano according to the specific needs of each startup/SME to finalize the design of the solution using 5G and/or Vodafone trial platforms and the related business model. It will be also possible to access the Vodafone Italia Open Lab in Milan to test the latency and throughput requirements of the end-to-end solution.

In this phase, the finalists will receive a cash contribution up to € 50.000 equity free for the construction of the first prototype running in 5G and/or in Vodafone trial platforms and technical-specialist advice from Vodafone according to specific needs. Startups/SMEs will also be able to access the 5G areas of the Vodafone Italia Open Lab in Milan to develop, integrate and test their project in 5G architecture.

You will be required to submit a project review that includes the business and the pricing model, the customer experience and the architecture of the solution including end-to-end data flows, the development plan and a 3-years financial plan, indicating the funding required, along with the detailed spending plan for the Prototype phase. A mock-up/demo of the product must also be presented.

You will be required to submit a prototype, developed and tested in Lab and based on the 5G architecture.

During this phase, you should complete the development of the solution in 5G. Further, you should include the market and the technical field validation. You will then be ready for the commercial launch.

STEP is the Vodafone's open, secure and reliable pan-European platform that distributes, mediates and validates V2X messages in real time using 5G, Edge Cloud and public cloud technologies through the use of SDKs and APIs. If you have a V2X solution, you will be among the first to be able to integrate your solution within STEP. The platform works on 5G technology but also on existing cellular networks and existing mobile phones handset on legacy vehicles. Smartphone apps can incorporate the V2X SDK to display alerts and events through simple information. For a user driving a vehicle that supports Apple CarPlay or the Android Auto car assistant, the notification can be sent directly to the car's dashboard for increased convenience and safety for drivers. It is also possible include handsets carried by pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists to create a system that is readily available. However, thanks to 5G technology offering higher speed and capacity achieving millisecond latencies, STEP enable massive and critical deployments for mobility and smart cities. With 5G in-car connectivity revolutionizes V2X deployment, allowing seamless and cooperative communication between vehicles, infrastructure and surroundings.

Up to 3 winners of the “In-Kind” category or “Seed-Capital” one.

Yes, at the time of the finalists selection by the Evaluation Committee you will be asked to choose whether to compete for the “In-Kind” or “Seed-Capital” category.

No, but they will receive technical consultancy services from Vodafone, access to the 5G infrastructure and devices and Vodafone experimental platforms to finalize the development of the solution and bring the first commercial trials to the field. In addition, they will benefit from visibility during and after the program.

The Winner of the “Seed-Capital” category will receive from Vodafone technical consulting services, access to the 5G infrastructure and Vodafone trial platforms as well as cash contributions up to € 300,000 (convertible into equity) to finalize the development of the solution and bring to the field the first commercial trials. In addition, will benefit from visibility during and after the program.

No, in this phase the pre-selected projects will receive technical-specialist and business consultancy services from Vodafone and / or PoliHub experts to finalize the design of the solution and the business plan.

Each of the finalist projects that will enter the Prototype Development phase will receive funding to cover the costs related to the 5G prototype creation, up to € 50,000 (equity free).

Fundings will be disbursed in cash and / or services subject to the signing of a Disbursement Agreement which defines terms and conditions.

Vodafone will provide cash funds for project development by acquiring, among others, the right to enter into the financed company capital.

In-Kind funds are disbursed in services, such as technical and business support, access both to laboratory and the 5G infrastructure and Vodafone trial platforms to support the development and commercial launch. Vodafone will acquire, among others, the rights for commercial exclusivity or most favoured customer treatment.

Pre-seed funds are disbursed in equity-free cash to support the prototype development by acquiring the rights for a free and exclusive use license for 24 months.

In case of the agreed plan is delayed the subsequent disbursement will be suspended without approval by Board.

Yes, if the developed product successfully passes the market validation phase with a potential customer and solution integration into the Vodafone product Portfolio is approved by qualifying the partner as a supplier. In such a case the communication and go to market activities will be supported by Vodafone with own resources and sales structure.

Tomorrow Street is a joint venture between Vodafone and Luxembourg's technology incubator, Technoport. It provides business development and operational support to navigate the corporate environment, and access Vodafone's global scale. Winners of Action for 5G will be given the opportunity to introduce themselves to Tomorrow Street, after the successfull commercial launch in Italy.

The selected company will acquire the ownership of the intellectual property rights, granting Vodafone the free and exclusive use right and the economic exploitation.

Yes, an NDA will be signed between the candidates and Vodafone in order to guarantee the mutual confidentiality of information, data, and documents of private or confidential nature. Information on the chosen project may be made public while still maintaining the confidentiality of its innovative content.