On November 11 and 12, Milan will host the new edition of Startup Days, the event promoted by Regione Lombardia, MUSA, and Federated Innovation @MIND. The program includes meetings, networking opportunities, and three competitions designed to support the creation of new enterprises with a high technological, environmental, and social impact.
The Startup Days 2025 were presented today at Palazzo Lombardia. On November 11 and 12, Milan will become a meeting point for startups, university spinoffs, companies, and institutions. Promoted by Regione Lombardia, MUSA – Multilayered Urban Sustainability Action, and Federated Innovation @MIND, the initiative aims to enhance Lombardy’s innovation ecosystem and encourage the creation of enterprises capable of tackling the challenges of the sustainable transition.
Three competitions are at the heart of this edition. The first is StartCup Lombardia 2025, now in its 23rd edition, dedicated to entrepreneurial projects born in academic settings. With a prize pool of €215,000—€175,000 from the Region and €40,000 from corporate partners—StartCup awards the most promising ideas in the fields of technology and sustainability. Special prizes will also be awarded to projects with high social or environmental impact, or aligned with the “Lombardia Style”.
New this year is the Sustainable and Safe Construction competition, aimed at promoting innovation in the construction sector through collaboration between startups and large companies. The six best solutions will each receive a €25,000 award, for a total of €150,000 allocated by Regione Lombardia.
Finally, Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future – Lombardia returns for its second edition. The competition is open to businesses and startups active in basic, fine, and specialty chemicals, as well as in related sectors. The six winners will each receive a €25,000 prize and participate in a tutoring program organized by Cariplo Factory to help launch pilot projects.
For Giovanna Iannantuoni, President of MUSA Scarl, “Startup Days are a key component in the strategy for developing Lombardy’s innovation ecosystem. At MUSA, we consider it essential to support the creation and growth of new enterprises capable of generating concrete social, economic, and environmental impact. Facilitating collaboration between research, business, and institutions means creating the conditions for sustainable and inclusive development, able to respond to today’s challenges and build our region’s future responsibly.”
Guido Guidesi, Regional Minister for Economic Development, stated: “Our goal has always been to ensure that anyone with an innovative idea finds the best possible environment to develop it in Lombardy. Through initiatives like Startup Days, we support and help implement winning ideas, turning them into value and employment opportunities. We lead Italy in the number of innovative startups—and we not only want to maintain this record, but to strengthen it. Innovation and foresight will continue to be our strongest assets.”
“We are pleased to launch the second edition of the Green Chemistry Lombardia competition, promoted by Federated Innovation @MIND together with Regione Lombardia,” said Fabrizio Grillo, President of Federated Innovation @MIND. “This project confirms co-innovation as a strategic lever to address environmental and industrial challenges. Connecting startups, companies, and research centers means building an ecosystem capable of generating real and lasting impact. Sustainable chemistry is a cornerstone of our region’s competitiveness and a real opportunity to attract talent, technologies, and capital.”
Here you can find all information about Startup Days 2025
