Fondazione LINKS and Feat. Ventures have been selected as delivery partners for SPIN: Rise 2026, a venture building programme co-funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). As part of this collaboration, the two entities are running the new initiative called VECTAR, for Ventures in Emerging & Critical Technologies for Aerospace & Robotics.
The initiative
VECTAR is a 7-week hybrid programme that helps researchers explore the commercial potential of their work, through structured online training on IP valorisation, open innovation, customer discovery, market analysis and pitching, followed by a 3-day in-person bootcamp in Turin, Italy. The programme is supported by I3P, the Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino, of which Fondazione LINKS is a shareholder.
The initiative welcomes researchers working on any technology with industrial applicability in aerospace or robotics: from avionics, propulsion, satellite systems and drones, to robotic manipulation, autonomous navigation, sensing and perception, and embedded control systems. No prior business experience is required. Aspiring participants are eligible if they have:
- technical or scientific competences applicable to aerospace or robotics;
- a research result with application potential (patents not required);
- availability for the full programme, online and in person.
The programme will offer the opportunity to learn how to:
- assess the commercial potential of research results and select appropriate IP protection and valorisation strategies (licensing, spin-off, technology transfer).
- understand Open Innovation mechanisms and how to position research as a solution to industrial needs, including structuring Proofs of Concept.
- apply customer discovery and hypothesis validation methods to translate research into testable market assumptions.
- use business modelling tools (Business Model Canvas) and prototyping approaches to define and test commercialisation pathways.
- develop and deliver a structured pitch communicating the problem, solution, value proposition, and market pathway to investors, industry partners, and innovation programmes.
How to join
The programme is free of charge. Accommodation during the bootcamp in Turin is covered, while travel costs are not covered.
Applications are now open on the initiative's official website and will be evaluated on an ongoing basis: the earlier one registers, the greater the chances of being admitted to one of the available spots, which are limited.
The deadline to apply to participate in the VECTAR program is September 11, 2026: after the selections and confirmation of the admitted profiles, the training will take place from September 21 to November 6, with the live bootcamp in Turin held over three days: Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November.
