Premio MICS Future Made in Italy | Call for Circular Startups

The Italian industrial sector is undergoing a phase of profound transformation. Growing attention to environmental sustainability, limited resources, and evolving consumer needs is pushing companies and supply chains to rethink processes, products, and business models according to the principles of the circular economy. In particular, sectors such as apparel, furniture, and automation are at the center of this transition, thanks to their significant economic impact and their potential for technological and sustainable innovation.

In this context, the Premio MICS Future Made in Italy | Call 4 Circular Startup was created. The initiative is promoted by MICS – Made in Italy Circolare e Sostenibile, the Extended Partnership dedicated to developing innovative, sustainable, and circular production models for the Italian industrial system. The initiative is part of the broader activities of MICS, aimed at strengthening technology transfer, industrial innovation, and the competitiveness of strategic Made in Italy supply chains, while promoting the adoption of solutions with high environmental, economic, and social impact.

The Call is carried out with the support of the Circular Economy Lab—an initiative by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Cariplo Factory—a competence center focused on circular economy and sustainable innovation, which contributes to designing and implementing the selection, support, and acceleration process for the chosen solutions.

MICS

MICS (Made in Italy Circolare e Sostenibile) is the Extended Partnership that is leading the transformation of Made in Italy toward a circular and sustainable model. The Foundation works to accelerate the circular and digital transition of the Italian manufacturing sector, using a concrete and measurable approach.

Its action is guided by three pillars: Innovation, supporting companies and supply chains in adopting regenerative technologies; connection, creating networks among businesses, research, institutions, and local territories; standards, defining clear criteria for those who choose sustainability as a competitive value.

MICS is a national hub that promotes reliable technologies, organizational models, and certifications, generating positive impact and value for the country’s industrial system. Its goal is to build a smarter, more transparent, and more resilient industry, leveraging Italian excellence in designing, creating, and building.

AREE DI INTERESSE

Advanced Materials and Circular Design

Design of circular materials and products from the outset, reducing environmental impacts and the use of critical resources while increasing durability, reparability, and recyclability. This includes, but is not limited to: high‑performance bio‑based, recycled, or easily recyclable materials; digital eco‑design tools and integrated LCA in the design phase; smart or self‑healing materials to extend product lifespan.

Smart Manufacturing, Automation and Robotics

Evolution of production processes toward flexible, efficient, and sustainable factories enabled by advanced automation, AI, and digital twins. This includes, but is not limited to: technologies for modular and reconfigurable production lines; digital twins for energy optimization and waste reduction; AI for quality control, predictive maintenance, and process optimization.

Industrial Circularity, Bioeconomy and Waste‑to‑Value

Closing material and energy loops through recovery, valorization of waste, and new circular business models. This includes, but is not limited to: advanced recycling and upcycling technologies; industrial symbiosis and reverse‑logistics systems; product‑as‑a‑service models (leasing, reuse, etc.).

Digitale, Filiera e Tracciabilità sostenibile

Rendere le filiere trasparenti, tracciabili e misurabili grazie a dati, AI e piattaforme interoperabili per la sostenibilità e la compliance ESG. In particolare, ma non in modo esclusivo: Tracciabilità end-to-end di materiali e prodotti (DPP), AI per valutazione e scoring di sostenibilità di prodotti e processi, Piattaforme dati di filiera interoperabili per condivisione e reporting.

Scouting

Through the Premio MICS Future Made in Italy | Call 4 Circular Startup, MICS and the Circular Economy Lab aim to support and highlight innovative organizations capable of enabling the circular transition within the targeted industrial supply chains.

More specifically, the initiative is addressed to:

Established startups
University spin‑offs
Innovative micro or small enterprises

Among all applicants, those with the highest potential will be selected and will have the opportunity to participate in the Demo Day, presenting their solution to a panel of experts from the innovation ecosystem.

Why participate

Applying to the MICS Challenge Future Made in Italy Award | Call 4 Circular Startup means:

Accelerating the development of your circular solution
Gaining concrete resources to move from experimentation to real‑world application
Connecting with a qualified industrial and innovation ecosystem
Actively contributing to the sustainable transformation of Italian supply chains

PHASES AND TIMELINE

19 January 2026 – 13 February 2026 | Scouting activities and Application Collection

13 February 2026 – 13 March 2026 | Assessment activities and selection of innovative organizations

March 2026 | Demo Day

March – June 2026 | Bootcamp and engagement program

Awards & Project Development

To support the growth of the most promising proposals, the Jury will select up to 10 solutions, assigning each winner a contribution of up to €70,000, which also includes participation in a bootcamp and engage program designed to strengthen the competitive advantage of the selected projects.

The MICS Future Made in Italy | Call 4 Circular Startup also offers the opportunity to develop strategic collaborations with industry players, creating opportunities for co‑innovation and joint development paths.

For organizations with particularly high growth potential, the initiative also foresees involvement in the assessment of a fundraising plan, aimed at defining potential call/put option agreements, which may include—where appropriate—the involvement of the MICS Foundation.

The initiative aims to enhance circular and sustainable Made in Italy, guiding the most deserving projects through a structured path of growth, industrial consolidation, and strategic development.

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