Intesa SP: the new edition of Up2Stars dedicated to innovative and sustainable startups is underway

The new edition of Up2Stars is starting, the program for the valorization and acceleration of Italian startups , launched in 2022 by Intesa Sanpaolo in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center with the aim of promoting the growth of technological, innovative and highly competitive businesses, in line with the PNRR guidelines and the group's strategies.

Building on the results of the first two editions, with over 1,000 self-nominated startups , 80 accelerated startups, of which 12 accompanied to Silicon Valley and 50 in the Lounge ELITE path, Intesa Sanpaolo, with the involvement of more than 500 stakeholders including companies, investors and experts, returns this year with Up2Stars with an even more strategic path for the Italian innovation system.

The program includes the integration of In Action Esg Climate , the Intesa Sanpaolo Assicurazioni initiative now in its fourth edition, which aims to offer further support to the development of environmental sustainability projects and has recognized 1.75 million contributions in previous editions to implement the projects presented. Interested startups, in addition to applying to Up2Stars , will also be able to choose to compete for one of the three grants of 100,000 euros each, intended for the three new businesses with the best projects that contribute to accelerating the ecological transition in a certain and demonstrable way. A concrete example of the bancassurance model at the service of sustainable innovation.

The 2025 edition of Up2Stars and In Action Esg Climate will focus on 4 new sectors identified in line with the PNRR, to which the relative selection calls will be dedicated: New Materials , Robotics , Aerospace , Design Tech . As in previous editions, 40 high-potential startups will be selected, 10 for each of the four strands, which will access a free, highly qualified acceleration path – this year provided by Cariplo Factory , with technical mentorship, Demo Day and networking sessions together with companies, investors and players in the innovation ecosystem. A unique program, which takes advantage of the widespread network of collaborations of the Banca dei Territori of Intesa Sanpaolo, led by Stefano Barrese , with excellent partners such as Microsoft , Elite , and Digit'Ed , in addition to the involvement of four National Research Centers of which Intesa Sanpaolo is a founding member.

The first selection call, starting with the New Materials sector, a highly impactful topic on which Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center has also conducted research studies, given its importance for achieving the net-zero objectives by the European Union, aimed to select the best startups engaged in the development of advanced and sustainable solutions to replace critical materials, improve performance ( resistance , lightness , durability ) and reduce environmental impact . Young companies that want to be protagonists of the sustainable supply chains of the future and that operate in one of the following areas, such as Replacement of Critical Materials, Composite Materials, Nanomaterials, Smart and Self-repairing Materials, 3D Printing Materials, Circular Economy Materials, Advanced Building Materials, Life Cycle Assessment.

Startups interested in applying to Up2Stars can simultaneously choose to participate in In Action Esg Climate, whose finalists will be announced during the final event of the program, through the same procedure, by July 28, by connecting to the dedicated page.

“The new edition of Up2Stars confirms Intesa Sanpaolo's commitment to supporting innovation and accompanying Italian startups in high added value development paths, working in synergy with the other Group structures and with an ecosystem of important partners,” commented Anna Roscio , Executive Director Sales & Marketing Imprese of Banca dei Territori di Intesa Sanpaolo. “After the positive experience in Silicon Valley in collaboration with Hub Innovit, this year's new feature in the program is the In Action Esg Climate initiative by Intesa Sanpaolo Assicurazioni, to support responsible and sustainable innovation over time. Since its launch, Intesa Sanpaolo has disbursed approximately 850 million euros to over 3,800 innovative startup clients, of which 14.4 million through the Convertibile Impresa instrument, confirming a solid and continuous contribution to the potential of our emerging companies.”