The Startup Breeze initiative supports business ideas and innovative start-ups in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and digital health sectors by helping them refine, validate, and improve their value proposition through engagement with an extensive network of partners that includes approximately 30 investment funds, innovation centers, incubators (including I3P), accelerators, and other industry players.
Organized and sponsored by Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, StartUp Breeze provides expertise, tools, and networking opportunities to companies selected by a committee of experts and specialized investors, with the aim of helping them validate, refine, and fully realize their business potential.
The finalists selected for the 2026 edition will benefit from a tailored entrepreneurial program, featuring thematic seminars and in-depth sessions with industry coaches. The program will conclude with the presentation of proposals to investors and potential corporate partners at the final event, the Pinwheel Pitching Stage, to be held in November, featuring the awarding of the title for the most innovative proposal by a jury of investors and the Special Awards, offered by the initiative’s network of partners.
Among the available prizes is the I3P Special Award, offered by the Innovative Companies Incubator of Politecnico di Torino, a long-standing partner of the initiative: this is a 12-month virtual support program at I3P, including intensive tutoring and mentoring with its experts and network; the opportunity to participate in all training and networking events organized by I3P; introduction to and support in connecting with potential national and international clients, investors, industrial partners, and local suppliers; and assistance in dealing with banks and financial institutions for debt financing under I3P agreements.
In 2025, the I3P Special Award was won by the Fraido team.
The targets of the initiative
Startup Breeze 2026 draws on the decade of experience of Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences in supporting business launches and development, and is made possible thanks to the vital pro bono contributions of its network of partners. The initiative is open to business proposals (intended as business ideas or start-ups) with a TRL between 3 and 5 operating in the following fields:
- medical devices;
- digital health (digital solutions closely related to treatment or diagnosis);
- pharmaceuticals / biotechnology;
- related sectors.
Proposals will be selected based on evaluation criteria such as:
- the team’s experience and expertise;
- a description of the proposed solution and its context (in terms of clarity and technical and scientific soundness);
- market potential;
- marketing strategy and a description of the competitive landscape;
- revenue stream and the credibility of the financial plan;
- the quality of the attached pitch.
How to apply
To participate in the initiative, applicants must download the application forms available on the website www.startupbreeze.it and submit the completed forms to the email address teamup@startupbreeze.it, following the instructions provided on the website.
All application materials must be submitted in English language and will be treated as non-confidential. The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.; applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
For more information or to ask questions about the initiative, one can write an e-mail to the dedicated address teamup@startupbreeze.it or visit the official Startup Breeze website.
