In 13 years – since the program started – over 750 startups have been selected and supported, mainly active in the digital and technological sectors and life sciences, but also in some of the most representative sectors of made in Italy, from fashion to food, always with a strong component of innovation.
Ask the Sun
The questions are automatically suggested by 24Ore AI
based on the content viewed.
The numbers of the program
UniCredit Start Lab, the business platform launched by the credit institution in 2013 and dedicated to startups and innovative SMEs, was created with the aim of supporting the growth of the Italian innovation ecosystem. Over the 13 editions, the program has analyzed over 9,400 projects, involved more than 3,800 corporates and investors, facilitated over 120 business matching initiatives, and supported entities that have collectively raised over 4.7 billion euros in investments.
The 2026 Call received a record number of startups, a sign of the dynamism and vitality of the Italian innovation ecosystem: 778 in total, from all over Italy, with the involvement of 196 partners including companies, investors, incubators, accelerators, universities, and sector operators. The most represented sectors this year are Digital (47%), Impact Innovation (19%), Life Science (13%), Innovative Made in Italy (11%), and Clean Tech (10%). The male component prevails (78% of participants) and the age group between 24 and 35 years.
Read more Giving young people a perspective to counter social distress
The selection
Thanks to the evaluation work of a committee of 40 experts including managers, entrepreneurs, investors, and founders of established scale-ups, 52 startups have been selected to join the UniCredit Start Lab business platform and will participate at the end of September in the three-day event organized by the platform to connect young companies with over 50 potential investors (business angels, venture capital, family offices…) through one-to-one meetings: last year there were over 250. In November, there will be a second key event, a mentorship day with about 90 experts including managers and entrepreneurs or founders of scale-ups. But activities continue in the following months and the dialogue between Start Lab and the selected entities over 13 years of the program has never stopped.
For each category, three winners and some special mentions have been identified again this year: the first in each area will be awarded a cash prize (see the card above). The awarded entities presented particularly innovative solutions in the fields of digital health, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, agritech, energy transition, cybersecurity, and social impact economy.
Read more Istat, inflation in July falls to 2.8%
