Open Innovation programmes
Open Innovation is one of the most effective opportunities for all economic players engaging in innovation, as it allows them to gain a competitive advantage in their industry through cooperation with other players.
The University of Milan fosters collaborative networks and strategic partnerships with institutions and companies for the development of innovative solutions. It promotes projects that can accelerate the application of research findings, in order to respond to new challenges through close synergy with the economic and social realms.
Seed4Innovation – S4I is the first scouting programme of the University of Milan, created with the UNIMI Foundation: it aims at identifying University projects with high potential for industrial development.
CirculAgri Lab is a living lab established as part of Agritech spoke 8, in collaboration with the University of Milan. Its mission is to promote technology transfer by creating synergies between researchers, universities and companies, in order to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative solutions in the agricultural sector.
Seed4Sport (S4S) aims to identify, support and accelerate innovative solutions and ideas in the sport sector, to contribute to athlete well-being, social inclusion and the creation of local added value.
The initiative is organised by the University of Milan and sponsored by Fondazione Cariplo. Participation is open to professors and researchers of the University of Milan, either individually or in team.
The call for projects is divided into two tracks:
- Track 1 – Innovation and technology transfer: this track focuses on the development and market readiness of innovative solutions with a strong application potential. More specifically, it aims to support practical/entrepreneurial applications in the sport sector — including the creation of start-ups and spin-offs — to enhance athletic excellence, athlete well-being, social inclusion and local impact, also in light of major upcoming events, such as the Olympic Games.
- Track 2 – Public Engagement: this track focuses on sports-related outreach, awareness-raising and local enhancement initiatives, as well as on projects to promote physical health. We particularly welcome projects that are connected to Olympic sports.
Shortlisted projects will progress to the acceleration and mentoring phase. The two best projects, one for each track, will receive funding to support their further development and validation.
Projects must be submitted via the Seed4Sport submission form no later than 14 October 2025 at 14:00.
For further information and clarifications, please write to:
- Track 1 – [email protected]
- Track 2 – [email protected]
Applications are now open for the Innovation Days 2025 (also known as i-Days), the hackathon organised by SYNLAB and promoted by EIT Health, a body of the European Union focusing on innovation in health. The initiative is developed in collaboration with the Cariplo Factory and the University of Naples Federico II.
This year's challenge is "Aging Well: Promoting Healthy Longevity through Prevention, Early Diagnosis, Lifestyles, and Digital Technologies". The hackathon will take place on 5 and 6 November 2025 in Milan, at the Fondazione Riccardo Catella.
Applications are open to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as to recent graduates. Over the two days of the contest, participants will be grouped in teams that will compete against one another in designing innovative solutions to tackle crucial issues, such as the aging of the population and the rise of chronic and neurodegenerative diseases. Students will be assisted by coaches and mentor to develop prototypes and concrete proposals on innovation and health, also by using advanced tools such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and digital health platforms.
The winning team will then be invited to represent Italy at the final Winners' Event in Paris (27-28 November 2025), where they will meet the winners of the other i-Days organised in Europe.
Applications are open until 22 October 2025.
Submissions are now open for the prestigious award named after engineer Giovanni Francesco Brambilla, which was given out regularly from 1870 to 1983 and then only in 2006.
The contest, which is a joint initiative of the Lombard Institute Academy of Science and Letters and several universities in Lombardy, aims to give proper recognition to partnerships between industry and academia. For the period 2025/2026, there will be three winning projects; each winning pair will receive two plaques, one for the university and one for the company. The Institute is particularly looking for research projects developed jointly by industry and university actors that produced tangible results in terms of innovation and industrial progress, understood as drivers of social and economic wellbeing.
Submissions must be sent by 17 October 2025 to the email address [email protected].
For more information on how to apply, please visit the website of the Lombard Institute Academy of Science and Letters.
Applications are now open to attend A4OI (AGRITECH 4 Open Innovation), which will take place on 28 and 29 October in Milan.
Organised by the University of Milan in collaboration with Spoke 8 of the Agritech Centre, A4OI is a unique opportunity for participants to co-design activities and exchange ideas, resources and technological expertise.
Participation is open to students, researchers and companies, including start-ups. The event aims to address practical needs in the agri-food sector by fostering circular economy through open innovation.
Over the two days of the event, companies will first present their innovation needs and then, during the match-making phase, participants will compete to find innovative solutions, by working side-by-side with those same companies.
Learn more and apply on the A4OI website.
Applications are now open for the second edition of the International Open Innovation Programme (IOIP) — Climate Change, Natural Resources & Biodiversity, which aims to connect research and market opportunities, by promoting technology transfer and innovation and sparking new collaborations with companies.
In 2025, participants are called upon to find solutions to specific challenges posed by partner companies in four different subject areas, all related to natural resources and biodiversity:
- Data Collection, Analytics & Traceability for the Ecological Transition
- Manufacturing Methods & Industrial Optimization
- Sustainable Materials, Products & Processes
- Green Energy & Biodiversity
The programme is divided into two phases:
- a long-term matchmaking phase, when companies will have the chance to contact applicants via the IOIP platform to discuss solutions, explore potential collaborations and create strategic partnerships. The goal of this phase is to enable participants to test and validate their innovative solutions in a business context;
- an in-person networking event scheduled on 25 and 26 June in Bologna, where participants, companies and institutional guests will discuss natural resources and biodiversity-related topics.
Applications will close on 27 June. Before applying, please contact the University's Open Innovation Office so that we can check any intellectual property issues related to the solution that you intend to submit.
Learn more about IOIP challenges, partner companies and application process
Falling Walls Lab Italy 2025: submit your innovative idea!
Falling Walls Lab is an international initiative designed to promote outstanding ideas from young researchers, and to connect scientists and entrepreneurs globally.
Applications are now open for Falling Walls Lab Italy 2025, which will be held on 22 May at the University of Milano-Bicocca.
The initiative calls upon students, researchers and professionals to submit their innovative ideas to break the next walls in science and society.
Participants will have 3 minutes to pitch their project in front of an international jury of academics and business experts.
The winner of Falling Walls Lab Italy will have the chance to present their pitch at the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025, together with the winners of the other Falling Walls Labs organised around the world. The event will take place in Berlin in November.
Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to connect with scientists and entrepreneurs from all over the world.
Falling Walls Lab Italy is organised by the University of Milan-Bicocca in partnership with MUSA scarl, LIFTT, the University of Milan, Bocconi University, the University of Bergamo, the University of Pavia, PoliHub, the Polytechnic University of Bari, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, the Catholic University of Milan, MITO Technology, Social Innovation Teams, BiM, Netval, the University for Innovation Foundation and the Italian Embassy in Berlin.
Applications are now open for the ISSA PULIRE Hackathon 2025, entitled "How artificial intelligence can improve cleaning practices".
The goal of the hackathon is to identify innovative AI-based solutions to help cleaning service providers improve the way they work.
The contest is organised in partnership with FDS as part of the international professional cleaning and sanitisation fair ISSA PULIRE, which will take place in RHO, Milan, on 28 May 2025.
Participation is open to teams of 3-6 university students, who will be called upon to find innovative ways to overcome a real-life challenge that will be announced at the beginning of the contest. Each team will then have to present its project to an international jury. Expert tutors will support participants before and during the event, clearing doubts and answering questions.
The winning team will receive a monetary prize of €3,000, while the second-ranked team will get €1,000.
Applications are open until 27 March 2025.
Participating in this hackathon is a unique chance for students to test their problem-solving skills, interact with industry leaders and boost their CV for future employment opportunities.
Applications are now open for "Red Bull Basement", a contest for young people who want to propose and develop innovative ideas, also with the support of artificial intelligence, with a view to promoting positive changes within our society.
"Red Bull Basement" is open to people from 18 years old onwards who are proficient in English and live in one of the countries participating in the contest (including Italy).
You can participate by yourself or with another partner, and you can propose more than one idea.
Projects should cover one of the following topics: sustainability, education, body and mind, smart cities, career, accessibility, healthcare, empowerment, creator economy.
Successful applicants will have the opportunity to collaborate with mentors and compete in the national final. The winner of each national final will be invited to the World Final, which will be held in December 2024 in Tokyo.
The prize for the winner or winning team of the World Final is a paid trip to Silicon Valley and Los Angeles, where they will have the opportunity to receive personalised mentorship and connect with top industry leaders.
Applications can be submitted until 31 October 2024.
Disclaimer: The contest is subject to the terms and conditions set out by Red Bull. Each applicant is responsible for reading the terms and conditions unilaterally established by Red Bull within the scope of the contest "Red Bull Basement", and for complying with the University regulations.
The University of Milan is not part of the relationship between the applicant and Red Bull, and disclaims any liability resulting from the applicant taking part in the contest.
For information on the contest and how to apply:
Applications are now open for Premio 2031, formerly known as Premio Gaetano Marzotto, a contest aimed at identifying and supporting promising ideas with the potential to change the future of our country.
Premio 2031 is a network of prizes with a long-standing mission to promote and sponsor projects that are able to generate a positive impact on society, environment and economy.
Participation is open to individuals, project teams, startups as well as long-running companies, cooperatives and associations. All business projects must be based and legally established in Italy.
For the 2024 edition, the contest awards the following prizes:
- 9 special prizes offered by sponsors and corporate partners;
- 33 acceleration programmes offered by Italian innovation centres;
- the 2031 Startup Award;
- the Premio Primo Round.
Premio 2031, which has now reached its 14th year, is an initiative promoted by the 2031 Association in collaboration with a long list of partners and sponsors, including Invitalia, Repower, UniCredit, Jacobacci & Partners and InnovUp. The final event will take place in Milan in December.
Please note that there is a single application form for all prizes. Applications close on 31 October 2024.
Registrations are now open for the 2024 Hackathon SYNLAB, a contest exploring the potential impacts of AI, cybersecurity and data science on ageing and chronic diseases.
The hackathon is a joint initiative of SYNLAB and EIT Health, a knowledge and innovation community of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union whose mission is to drive innovation by fostering community networks within the EU. Participation in the hackathon is open to university students, recent graduates and young people who are currently enrolled in a postgraduate course or vocational master.
The contest is organised in partnership with Cariplo Factory, Federated Innovation @MIND and Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. It will be held on 5 and 6 November in the Milan Innovation District (MIND), as part of the EIT Health i-Days (Innovation Days). Before the two hackathon days, students will be invited to attend a series of webinars with innovation experts and keynote speakers from start-ups and universities.
The title of this year's contest is "Ageing Population and Chronic Diseases: AI, cybersecurity and data science to improve patients' quality of life". Participants will have to come up with solutions that leverage technology to address the issue of ageing population and improve the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic diseases. Under the guidance of coaches and mentors, they will have two days to discuss and perfect their innovative ideas, with the ultimate goal to develop smart prototypes and practical solutions applicable in the area of healthcare services.
The winning team will then be invited to participate in the final step of the competition in Budapest (28-29 November), where they will meet the winners of the other EIT Health i-Days organised all over Europe.
Registrations are open until 25 October 2024.
Applications are now open for Batch 19 of Berkeley SkyDeck Europe, Milano, a start-up accelerator programme designed to foster the Italian innovation ecosystem in Milan Innovation District (a.k.a. MIND).
SkyDeck Europe welcomes applications from start-ups from all over the world who have an ambition to grow on the European market.
Thanks to an international network of advisers, experts and talents, this six-month accelerator programme offers start-ups a chance to access invaluable resources in European technology ecosystems and the Silicon Valley.
Participating start-ups will receive an initial investment of €145,000, and will have the opportunity to obtain additional funding in the future. The programme will take place in Berkeley, California and in Milan, in the MIND area.
This is the sixth year of the programme, which is promoted by UC Berkeley SkyDeck, the accelerator of the University of California, Berkeley, in collaboration with the Italian innovation hub Cariplo Factory and Lendlease.
An info session has been scheduled for Monday, 5 August.
Applications will close on 23 August.
Maker Faire Rome is looking for exhibitors for its 12th edition. Maker Faire is an annual event open to the public and dedicated to innovation, technology and creativity. It is held in Rome and brings together innovators, makers, researchers and enthusiasts from all over Europe. Besides seeing projects and inventions, participants can attend workshops, conferences and labs to acquire technical skills and do some networking.
The deadline for applications has been extended to 20 June 2024. Submit your project!
The topics of this edition are: IoT & Electronics, Smart Cities, Circular Economy, Biohacking, Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Smart Robotics, Digital Manufacturing, Education, Robotics and AI, Mobility and Drones, Agritech & Food and Gaming.
To apply, you’ll need to fill in a specific application form. At the end of the application stage, a panel of experts will evaluate the projects based on their originality, technological innovation potential, social or environmental impact and feasibility. Selected applicants will have the opportunity to showcase their project during Maker Faire Rome 2024, which will take place from 25 to 27 October in the area of the Ostiense Gasometer. They will have a free exhibition space for the whole duration of the event, where they will be able to present their ideas and prototypes, and organise workshops and demos.
For information: [email protected]
IP consulting firm Studio Torta has launched its 12th national contest for Master’s and PhD theses on industrial property. The three winners will receive €2,000 each.
The goal of the award is to acknowledge research works focusing on industrial law, the protection and commercialisation of intellectual property, and the management of corporate intangible assets.
The contest is open to Master’s and PhD graduates from legally-recognised Italian and foreign Universities, provided that they defended their thesis between 1 May 2023 and 31 July 2024.
Applications and all attachments must be sent by 31 July 2024.
Falling Walls Lab is an international initiative designed to promote outstanding ideas of young researchers, and to connect scientists and entrepreneurs globally, with a view to breaking down the walls in science and society.
Its Italian segment, Falling Walls Lab Italy, is organised by the University of Milan-Bicocca in partnership with MUSA scarl, Liftt, the University of Milan, Bocconi University, the University of Bergamo, the University of Pavia, PoliHub, the Polytechnic University of Bari, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, the Università Cattolica of Milan, MITO Technology, Social Innovation Teams, BiM, Netval, the University for Innovation Foundation and the Italian Embassy in Berlin.
Falling Walls Labs are organised globally throughout the year, to identify outstanding ideas in a variety of fields, from science to arts, from sociology to economy. During Falling Walls Labs, students, scientists and young talents take the stage to pitch their research work, business model or start up, with one condition: they have just three minutes to complete their presentation and explain which wall they want to break, which problem they want to solve with their project.
A committee of experts is tasked with selecting the best proposals, which will be pitched on 30 May 2024 at the University of Milan-Bicocca.
There, a jury of academics and representatives of the business sectors will judge the presentations and identify the best one. The winner will be awarded a paid trip and a ticket to the Falling Walls Science Summit, i.e. the final event of Falling Walls, which will be held in November in Berlin.
The winner of Falling Walls Lab Italy will have the unique chance to present his/her work to a global audience at the Falling Walls Science Summit 2024 in Berlin, together with the 75 winners of the other Falling Walls Labs organised around the world.
We are pleased to inform all-start-ups that applications to Berkeley SkyDeck Europe, Milano are now open.
Berkeley SkyDeck Europe, Milano is a start-up acceleration programme designed to foster the innovation ecosystem in Italy. The University of Milan collaborates on the project in the framework of MIND, Milan Innovation District.
The programme, originally launched by Berkeley SkyDeck — the accelerator of the University of California, Berkeley — with the Italian innovation hub Cariplo Factory and the company Lendlease, is also sponsored by Fondazione Cariplo and Regione Lombardia.
For this fifth year of Berkeley SkyDeck Europe, Milano, activities will take place partly in Berkeley and partly in Milan, in MIND.
The 10 winning start-ups will join a 6-month acceleration programme, with an initial investment of €145,000.
Interested start-ups can apply until 14 February.