Applications Now Open for Startups and Spin-Offs Innovating in Digital Technologies for the Energy Transition, Digital Transformation, and Health/Biopharma Sectors in Lazio and Southern Italy
Applications are now open for the second edition of Téchne, the acceleration program by Rome Technopole’s Spoke 2. This initiative is dedicated to propelling startups and university spin-offs from the Lazio region and Southern Italy to market readiness.
Téchne aims to deliver a cutting-edge acceleration program that fosters academic and regional innovation. The initiative focuses on facilitating technology transfer and enhancing entrepreneurial skills through tailored training, bespoke mentorship, and investor showcase events.
The program offers startups and spin-offs access to the expansive Rome Technopole ecosystem, which includes over 40 entities spanning public and private universities, research centres, institutions, business associations, corporates, and venture capital firms. Téchne is a cornerstone of Spoke 2's broader mission of “Technology Transfer, New Entrepreneurship, Business Incubation and Acceleration,” spearheaded by the University of Rome Tor Vergata.
Selected startups will benefit from an acceleration journey led by Zest, a market leader in early-stage venture capital, startup acceleration, and open innovation programs. Zest will help these ventures refine their go-to-market strategies, build actionable business opportunities through the Rome Technopole network, and connect with Spoke 2’s qualified mentors and investors to drive entrepreneurial growth and scaling.
Téchne addresses the existing gap between world-class academic research and the market, maximising the region’s industrial potential.
Applications are open until 12:00 PM on 14 January 2025. Eligible candidates include innovative digital startups and spin-offs established after 1 January 2023 and based in Lazio or Southern Italy (Abruzzo, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily). For more details, visit www.techne-rometechnopole.it.
Focus Areas for Applications:
Energy Transition: Solutions leveraging renewable energy or low-carbon technologies to foster sustainable economies aligned with decarbonisation and energy efficiency goals.
Digital Transformation: Technological innovations enabling growth and competitiveness across diverse markets.
Health and Biopharma: Sustainable life sciences solutions enhancing health and well-being, from prevention and diagnosis to therapy, monitoring, and lifestyle management.
Professor Renato Baciocchi, from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Head of Spoke 2 at Rome Technopole, highlighted, “Spoke 2 has developed a suite of services and tools to bridge the gap between research labs and industrial application. Téchne represents the final link in Rome Technopole’s support chain for startups and spin-offs, equipping them with the training and guidance needed to attract investors. We hope that this second edition will refine the process, building on the success of the first, and establish Téchne as a model for business acceleration.”
Roberto Magnifico, Partner and Board Member at Zest Innovation added, “The first edition of Téchne accelerated 13 startups leveraging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Blockchain, and innovations across Industry Tech, TravelTech, Pharma, and RegTech. With this second edition, we are expanding mentorship opportunities and deepening the engagement of Rome Technopole’s industrial and research partners. Téchne aspires to accelerate the growth of the innovation ecosystem in Lazio and Southern Italy, facilitating technology transfer to markets while nurturing talent and excellence.”