Events

Startup competition at Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags showcases retail innovation

Jan 31, 2025 Italy

Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags’ Innovation Village Retail featured nine startups pioneering digital and sustainable solutions, with CLOOV winning for its circular footwear business model

The Innovation Village Retail at Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags highlighted emerging startups reshaping fashion retail through digital transformation and sustainability. Among them, CLOOV emerged as the winner of the startup competition. The company's concept revolves around extending the lifecycle of shoes and offering a unified app for renting, buying and selling footwear.

In partnership with Retail Hub, the competition brought together startups, established companies and industry professionals from the footwear and leather goods sectors. The initiative featured nine startups presenting their business models focused on digital solutions and enhancing the customer experience.

A panel of industry experts evaluated the finalists and selected CLOOV as the most promising project. As part of its prize, CLOOV will showcase its concept at the next edition of Expo Riva Schuh & Gardabags, which will take place between June 14^th and June 17^th, 2025.

Other notable participants included Notarify, a blockchain-based platform that ensures digital authenticity and security. Founded in 2018 in Trento, Italy, Notarify provides businesses, individuals and government organisations with timestamped, certified digital assets to protect intellectual property, contractual agreements and corporate documents.

Image Credits: exporivaschuh.it

Innovation Italy Events Expo Riva Schuh Footwear Trade fairs