Publishing date: 3 August 2026 Immagine notizia Immagine Paragrafo The deadline for entries to the 24th edition of StartCup Lombardia – the business plan competition organised by the Lombardy Regional Government in collaboration with the region’s leading universities, including the University of Insubria – has been extended to 25 August 2026.The initiative supports the creation of new high-potential businesses, promoting innovative ideas, products and services developed within the academic and research communities.University students, PhD students and PhD graduates, researchers, research fellows, scholarship holders, lecturers and alumni who have obtained their degree or PhD no more than 36 months ago are eligible to participate, either individually or in groups.Projects may compete in four categories: ICT & Services, Industrial Technologies, CleanTech & Energy, and Life Sciences & MedTech. A prize of €25,000 is awarded for each category. Two special prizes, each worth €25,000, are also available, dedicated to Sustainability and Social Impact, and may be combined with the category prizes.Applications must be submitted via the Open Innovation platform by 25 August 2026. Winners must formally incorporate their company by 30 June 2027 in order to receive the prize.A recording of the presentation event for the «Start up competitions 2026», which was streamed on 8 June, is also available.The full call for entries, details on how to take part and all further information are available on the official website of the Lombardy Region.