Finanziare l’innovazione aperta: attori, ruoli e narrativa

The chapter explores how open social innovation initiatives attract and manage financial resources, involving a variety of stakeholders with different values, priorities, and roles throughout their life cycle. It analyzes four emblematic Italian cases: Cotti in Fragranza, Fondazione La Rotonda, Progetto Quid, and BASE Milano. The results show that, beyond traditional financing methods, sophisticated fundraising strategies are used, integrating impact investing (including impact funds), self-financing, and strategic partnerships to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the projects. The construction of a value-based narrative by innovators is essential to align objectives and strengthen relationships with funders, key to successful fundraising and social impact creation.