Start Cup Lazio 2026: More inclusive than ever
Luiss confirms its participation as one of the promoters of Start Cup Lazio (SCL), the regional business plan competition that rewards the best innovative business projects originating from Lazio’s universities and research institutions. This year, the competition is set to be more inclusive, aiming to engage a broader and more international innovation ecosystem. SCL’s goal remains to promote academic and student entrepreneurship and the spread of an entrepreneurial culture by supporting teams of researchers and students in creating high-tech startups and spin-offs, thereby fostering the country’s economic development through the enhancement of scientific research.
The Competition is promoted by a collaborative network of collaborators coordinated by the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, with the participation of universities, research institutions, companies, and financial institutions. This year, the initiative is not only part of the National Innovation Award (PNI), promoted by PNICube – the association that currently brings together 61 universities and incubators across 18 Italian regions – but also of the prestigious Italian Master Startup Award (IMSA).
Compared to previous editions, the 2026 call for entries broadens the eligibility criteria: in addition to teams made up of faculty, researchers, and students from universities in Lazio, participation is now officially extended to teams from foreign universities or research institutions and to innovative, recently established companies founded in or after the fall of 2025.
The best business projects—across the Life Sciences-MED Tech, ICT, Cleantech & Energy, and Industrial sectors—will be guaranteed access to the National Innovation Award (PNI). In addition to cash prizes for the top-ranked teams, which include both students and researchers, the 2026 edition is expanding its support with numerous special prizes provided by industrial and financial partners. These include personalized acceleration programs, banking coaching sessions, specialized mentorship in the fields of Deep-Tech and Smart City, as well as intellectual property protection services.
To participate, you can download and read the new 2026 Regulations and send the participation form to the dedicated secretariat’s email address. Applications must be received no later than Monday, April 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM.