Supporting the largest and most widespread business plan competition in Italy

Each year, the innovative start-up projects that win the regional Start Cups participate in the Premio Nazionale dell'Innovazione (National Innovation Award), the largest and most widespread business plan competition in Italy, backed by Almaviva Group through its support for Start Cup Lazio. The goal of the award is to select the best innovative start-up projects across four different innovation categories: "Cleantech & Energy", "Life Sciences-MedTech", "ICT" and "Industrial".

The key players are researchers and talented young individuals from the universities and research institutes of the PNICube Network, who are supported by advanced entrepreneurial training programs and tailored advisory services throughout their entire journey from the regional Start Cups to the final PNI challenge, allowing them to engage with companies, financial organizations, and the world of innovation as a whole.

PNICube is the National Network of University Incubators and Start Cup Competitions, founded in 2004 with the mission of encouraging more entrepreneurial research through a broad, generative pathway of innovative entrepreneurship - both locally and nationally - driven by researchers and university students.

The only one of its kind in Italy and Europe, today the PNICube network has a roster of 58 members, made up of universities, academic incubators, and other organizations promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. It is present in 18 Italian regions through 17 regional Start Cups, and is dedicated to promoting the creation and development of knowledge-intensive companies with a high social impact. A network of networks for sustainable progress.