MICS Foundation and CE LAB launch the “MICS Futuro Made in Italy” startup award

The challenge: one million euros to redesign Made in Italy

through a circular approach

Applications open from January 19 to February 13, 2026.

Up to €70,000 per winner, plus access to an acceleration program and collaboration opportunities with the industrial ecosystem.

Milan, January 19, 2026 – Supporting innovation that makes Made in Italy more competitive, circular, and sustainable: this is the goal of the “MICS Futuro Made in Italy – Call 4 Circular Startup”, a contest organized and promoted by the MICS – Made in Italy Circular and Sustainable Foundation (as part of the activities funded by the Ministry of University and Research through PNRR funds), together with the Circular Economy Lab, an initiative by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Cariplo Factory.

With total funding of €1 million, the award targets startups, university spin-offs, and innovative micro and small enterprises active in Italy, called to propose high‑tech solutions capable of accelerating the transition toward more sustainable and circular production models.

The call will be open from January 19 to 3:00 PM on February 13, 2026, and will select up to 10 winning projects. Each winner may receive up to €70,000, along with participation in a bootcamp and engage program designed to strengthen the competitive advantage of the selected projects and foster co‑innovation collaborations with companies across the industrial system.

Proposals may apply within four strategic innovation areas:

Advanced materials and circular design – for products designed from the outset according to principles of durability, recyclability, and reduced environmental impact.
Smart manufacturing, automation, and robotics – for more flexible, efficient, and sustainable factories enabled by AI, digital twins, and advanced automation.
Industrial symbiosis, bioeconomy, and waste‑to‑value – for turning waste into resources and closing material and energy cycles.
Digital solutions, supply chain, and sustainable traceability – to make value chains more transparent, measurable, and compliant with ESG criteria.

Applications will be evaluated by an institutional jury composed of initiative partners, investors, managers, university professors, and industry experts, based on the following criteria:

Team composition

Quality of the product/service
Degree of innovation
Market potential
Quality of the business model
Alignment with circular economy principles

Additional rewarding factors include diversity & inclusion, location in Southern Italy, and relevance to the Fashion, Furniture, and Automation sectors.

The competition will unfold across several stages: an initial screening of applications, project evaluations (through online interviews with the jury), and finally a pitch and award event scheduled for March 2026, during which the winners will be announced.

Participation in the MICS Award is free of charge. Applications must be submitted exclusively online through the dedicated platform, accessible via: www.mics.tech/bandi and www.circulareconomylab.it

With this Award, the MICS Foundation reinforces its commitment to promoting innovative entrepreneurship as a strategic driver for a Made in Italy that can combine industrial excellence, sustainability, and long-term growth.