Launched in 2013 with a dedicated team of experienced professionals and the support of a dense network of partners, UniCredit Start Lab is UniCredit's business platform dedicated to innovative start-ups and SMEs in all sectors.
Through a program divided into numerous actions and services, the initiative aims to assist young Italian businesses, supporting them in their growth and in the development of strategic partnerships with key players in the ecosystem.
The opportunities of the initiative
The call for start-ups of UniCredit Start Lab, now in its thirteenth edition, is looking for 50 innovative start-ups and SMEs with high potential that want to grow their business. The winning projects, selected annually from hundreds of applications, benefit from dedicated support in developing their network and finding both investors and corporate partners, as well as gaining access to mentoring initiatives, international management training activities, and ad hoc banking services.
The selected businesses will enter a comprehensive structured support program that includes:
- Business growth and development: access to corporate companies and qualified investors, structured business matching programs with the UniCredit network, support for internationalization.
- Training and mentorship: participation in the annual Startup Academy with advanced management training, personalized mentoring program with innovation experts, specialist consulting from selected partners.
- Financial and operational support: a €10,000 grant for the best projects in each sector, dedicated UniCredit Relationship Manager for tailored banking services.
How to apply
Participation in UniCredit Start Lab 2026 is free of charge and open to both individuals and groups. Applications may be submitted by natural persons of legal age who intend to set up a company within six months, or by legal entities represented by commercial companies established no more than 60 months prior to the date of submission of the application.
Eligible projects may cover five areas:
- Innovative Made in Italy (agrifood, fashion & design, nanotechnology, robotics, mechanics, tourism, industry 5.0)
- Digital (AI, SaaS, B2B services & platforms, hardware, fintech, IoT)
- Life Science (biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health, assistive technologies)
- Clean Tech (renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, waste treatment)
- Impact Innovation (innovative products and services capable of generating a social or environmental impact)
Admission to the platform and the awarding of prizes are determined at the sole discretion of UniCredit, with the advice of specific sectoral review committees, to verify the innovation, originality, and entrepreneurial talent of the teams or projects submitted.
Applications will be open until 6:00 p.m. on March 25, 2026, on the initiative's website. The official call regulations are available online, but for more information it is possible to write to the dedicated email address unicreditstartlab@unicredit.eu.
