The initiative named StartUp Breeze supports business ideas and start-ups in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and digital health in focusing and improving their value proposition through a journey with an extensive network of partners: more than 25 investment funds, innovation centers, incubators (including I3P), accelerators, and other industry specialists.
StartUp Breeze provides expertise, tools and networking to companies selected by a committee of experts and specialized investors so they can hone and fully exploit their business potential. Selected finalists will benefit from a tailored entrepreneurial journey through thematic seminars and in-depth sessions with industry coaches.
The initiative will conclude with the presentation of the proposals to investors and potential corporate partners at the final event, the Pinwheel Pitching Stage, with the awarding of the title for the most innovative proposal by a jury of investors and of Special Awards, offered by the partner network. For the 2025 edition, the final Pinwheel Pitching Stage event will be held on October 15, 2025 in Florence, Italy.
Startup Breeze was born from the decade-long experience of Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences (TLS) in supporting business startup and development and is realized thanks to the fundamental free contribution of its network of partners. TLS is a nonprofit that supports research, business creation and training activities for the innovative development of life sciences and health systems. The foundation is engaged in its own research, technology transfer, and business incubation activities and plays the role of aggregator and facilitator of an innovation ecosystem in the different areas of life sciences, placing itself at the center of a network of public-private partnerships active both regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Who it is aimed at
The call is aimed at business proposals (either business ideas or founded start-ups) with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) between 3 and 5, operating in the areas:
- medical devices;
- digital health (digital solutions closely related to therapy or diagnosis);
- pharmaceutical/biotech;
- related supply chains.
The selection of proposals will be made based on the following criteria:
- experience and skills of the team;
- description of the proposed solution and related context (in terms of clarity and technical/scientific soundness);
- market potential;
- marketing strategy and description of competitive landscape;
- revenue stream and financial plan credibility;
- quality of the attached pitch.
How to apply
To participate in the selection process, applicants must download the application forms available at www.startupbreeze.it and send them completed to the email address teamup@startupbreeze.it following the instructions on the homepage of the site under “How to apply”.
All application materials must be submitted in English language and will be treated as non-confidential. The deadline for applications is Monday, May 26, 2025, at 5:00 pm. Applications sent after the deadline will not be considered.
For more information, it is possible to contact the Startup Breeze team: teamup@startupbreeze.it
