On April 6, 2023, a new entrepreneurial venture was born in Perugia: Destinazione Cioccolato SRL Benefit Corporation.
This new business initiative was launched by a group of companies from the cultural-creative industry, tourism, and social innovation sectors, which then involved three important industry associations and later, the Regional Finance Company Gepafin Spa.
The objective of the company is to promote a territorial development project that, starting from the city’s tradition of chocolate production, can transform Perugia into a permanent chocolate-themed tourist destination.
This initiative has already materialized through the final award of a Notice for the Enhancement Concession of the Covered Market Property owned by the Municipality of Perugia, published on January 5, 2023, and the subsequent signing of the thirty-year Convention on June 6, 2024.
The companies and entrepreneurs involved are: Gepafin Spa (49.3%), the regional finance company contributing to the social capital with a temporary participatory loan, Orizzonte Nove (20.3%), Bee For Impact (7.6%), Sifra (5.1%), Società Cooperativa Culture (5.1%), Balance 24 (5.1%), Luca Galletti (2.5%), and Vasco Gargaglia (1.3%).
Also present in the company structure are Confcommercio Holding Srl, Cna Umbria holding Srl, and Coldiretti Umbria Regional Federation with 1.3% each.
Lastly, it is noteworthy that Invitalia, through the “Italy Social Economy” measure, decided to finance the project, marking the first time in Italy that a company outside the third sector has received such funding. The chosen financial instrument not only aligns with the initiative’s goals but also adds a strategic stakeholder contributing to the project’s social impact objectives. Invitalia, along with the Ministry of Made in Italy, has thus recognized both the planned social impact model and the proposed governance structure, which is oriented towards maximum transparency and community promotion.
The financial economic plan has been verified by Nomisma, a well-known consulting firm.
The Board of Directors of Destinazione Cioccolato Srl S.B.
