eUntil 25 March, registration is open for the 2026 edition of UniCredit Start Lab, the acceleration program promoted by UniCredit and aimed at innovative startups and SMEs with a high technological content. The initiative aims to support the growth of the selected companies through training, mentorship and networking courses, as well as access to industrial and financial development opportunities.

As part of the UniCredit Start Lab, the 50 selected companies will have access to a multi-level accompaniment programme, designed to support the growth and development of entrepreneurial projects. The course includes business development activities, with access to the UniCredit network of corporate companies, professionals and qualified investors, as well as structured business matching initiatives and dedicated support for internationalization processes.

The program also includes a training and mentoring offer, which is divided into an annual Startup Academy with advanced managerial training, flanked by personalized mentoring paths and specialized advice provided by selected partners. Startups will also have the opportunity to develop their activities within the spaces made available by the UniCredit group.

To complete the process, financial and operational support tools are provided, including the assignment of a grant of 10,000 euros to the best projects in each sector and the support of a dedicated UniCredit Relationship Manager , with access to banking products and services designed for the needs of startups.

Eligible projects can fall into different areas of reference:

• Innovative Made in Italy: agrifood, fashion & design, nanotechnology, robotics, mechanics, tourism, Industry 5.0
• Digital: AI, SaaS, B2B services and platforms, hardware, fintech, IoT
• Life Science: biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health, assistive technologies
• Clean Tech: renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, waste treatment
• Impact Innovation: dedicated to products and services capable of generating a social or environmental impact

Also this year UniCredit Start Lab is accompanied by a traveling roadshow in 7 Italian cities, with the aim of presenting the program and encouraging the involvement of local innovation ecosystems.

Among the scheduled stops is Turin, where the meeting will be held on February 5 at UniCredit University, in via XX Settembre 29. The event will be dedicated to the presentation of the 2026 edition of the program and how to participate, as well as offering a moment of discussion between startups, entrepreneurs, students and stakeholders in the area.

The choice of Turin is part of a context characterized by a consolidated presence of technology companies, research centers and initiatives related to innovation and open innovation. In recent years, the Piedmontese capital has strengthened its role as a technological hub, thanks to the growth in the number of startups and innovative entrepreneurial projects.

The Turin stage of the UniCredit Start Lab roadshow therefore represents an opportunity to connect the national program and the local ecosystem, offering participants the opportunity to learn more about the contents, objectives and tools of the initiative. To participate, send a request to unicreditstartlab@unicredit.eu