As every gamer of any age knows, playing video games is serious business: completing missions, defeating bosses, and breaking records takes commitment, dedication, and ingenuity. The same goes for startup founders, who take on challenges of all kinds to develop their business ideas, test them in real-world conditions, and level them up to reach greater and greater milestones. It’s not uncommon for both groups to share a similar mindset, focused on achieving results through creativity and innovation.

Can a passion for video games—and a deep understanding of the dynamics of the gaming market, which according to industry studies reached a global value of over $180 billion in 2024—serve as inspiration to found an innovative startup? It certainly seems so, judging by the examples of young companies born and raised at I3P, the incubator of the Politecnico di Torino, which are now key players in the video game development scene, both for mass-market consumers and in B2B contexts.

The free event Startup Your Game!, taking place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 5:00 PM in person at I3P, will offer an opportunity to meet four innovative companies operating in the video game industry. Each is built on different technologies and goals, but they all share a strong spirit of innovation. Representatives from Tiny Bull Studios, Proxy42, Paperbox Health, and Triality Studio—all supported by the incubator over the years—will share the stories behind their projects and their future perspectives. Attendees will also have the chance to learn more about IIDEA, the trade association of the Italian video game industry, whose mission is to enhance the role of video games in Italy’s economy, society, and culture.

How to Participate

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, starting at 5:00 PM, in person at the Agorà Room of the I3P incubator, located on the Campus of the Politecnico di Torino. It is accessible via the main entrance at Corso Castelfidardo 30/A or the pedestrian entrance at Via Borsellino 53/N.

The event is free to attend, supported by Regione Piemonte through European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) resources, but requires registration on Eventbrite.

Program

• 5:00 PM | Guest reception in the room
• 5:10 PM | Welcome remarks by Paola Mogliotti, Director of I3P, and event opening by Ludovico Del Carretto, Business Consultant at I3P
• 5:15 PM | The video game industry in Italy – Davide Mancini, Developer Relations Manager at IIDEA
• 5:30 PM | The story of Tiny Bull Studios – Matteo Lana, Co-Founder & CEO
• 5:40 PM | The Proxy42 venture – Francesco Ferrazzino, Co-Founder & CEO
• 5:50 PM | The Paperbox Health project – Francesco Trovato, Co-Founder & CEO
• 6:00 PM | The vision of Triality Studio – Marco Verdese, Co-Founder & CEO
• 6:10 PM | Roundtable discussion on startup prospects in the gaming sector
• 6:40 PM | Q&A session with the audience
• 7:00 PM | Conclusion of the event

Featured Organizations

I3P, the Innovative Companies Incubator of the Politecnico di Torino, was founded in 1999. It supports the creation and development of high-tech, high-growth-potential startups founded by university researchers, students, and external entrepreneurs. I3P offers strategic consulting, coaching, mentoring, fundraising support, and workspace. Its mission is to nurture the entrepreneurial ecosystem and generate economic development and jobs in innovative industries, in collaboration with institutions and private players involved in research, education, tech transfer services, innovation funding, and internationalization.

IIDEA (Italian Interactive Digital Entertainment Association) is the trade body for Italy’s video game industry. Founded in the early 2000s, it aims to represent and unify the sector with a cohesive approach. IIDEA currently includes over 80 members, including console manufacturers, game publishers, developers, and esports organizations such as tournament organizers and professional teams. It is part of a global network of industry associations and a member of Video Games Europe and the European Game Developers Federation. IIDEA’s mission is to foster the industry’s growth in Italy and highlight the video game’s role in the nation’s economy, society, and culture.

Tiny Bull Studios is an independent studio founded in 2011 in Turin, specializing in narrative video games that offer engaging and innovative experiences. The studio has released titles such as Blind, a VR thriller adventure based entirely on sound perception, and Omen Exitio: Plague, a digital gamebook inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s tales. Currently, the team is working on several titles set to launch in 2025, including the highly anticipated sequel Omen Exitio: Hunger and the fantasy action RPG The Lonesome Guild. The studio’s mission is to explore the immersive and storytelling potential of games, always striving to create unique and memorable experiences for a global audience.

Proxy42 is a gaming and tech company specializing in immersive gameplay experiences using AR (augmented reality), XR (extended reality), and AI. Its first title, Father.IO, was the world’s first augmented reality multiplayer mobile shooter, with over 5 million downloads worldwide. Its latest project, World League Live! (WLL), is a multi-sport fan engagement platform with official licenses. It connects fans with teams, athletes, and sponsors through gaming and play-to-earn mechanics. WLL features live streaming, exclusive interactions via AI and AR, and the ability to play with sports stars. Among the project’s ambassadors is football legend Alessandro Del Piero.

Paperbox Health aims to make early identification of Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) more accessible. With DINO, an innovative, game-based tool, children can be evaluated while playing—within just 15 minutes and at low cost, it is possible to identify the risk of SLDs, helping reduce underdiagnosis rates. Paperbox Health combines technology and play to offer effective and inclusive solutions, supporting families and schools in promoting the well-being and academic success of every child.

Triality Studio is a young company that blends video games with cultural heritage. Using VR (virtual reality), the startup recreates artworks and historical sites enriched with gamification elements to offer engaging and interactive experiences, aiming to combine learning with entertainment.