- Registration is now open to participate in the Award created by t2i-Technology Transfer Innovation: new this year is the Special Sustainability Award, promoted by the Treviso-Belluno Dolomites Chamber of Commerce; the Best Female Startup Award also returns for this edition;
- February 13, 2026 is the deadline for submitting applications; cash prizes and services to support the growth of projects are up for grabs
- With 62 incubated startups and over 700 hours of personalized consulting, t2i has confirmed its position as the leading certified incubator in Veneto over the last year, with full participation from the Veneto chamber system
Luciano Miotto was not only a forward-thinking entrepreneur and advisor to the Chamber of Commerce, but also a friend with whom I shared values, vision, and commitment to the region – comments Mario Pozza, President of the Treviso-Belluno | Dolomiti Chamber of Commerce – His passion for innovation and business lives on in this Special Sustainability Award, promoted by the Treviso-Belluno | Dolomites Chamber of Commerce, and is renewed over time thanks to the commitment of his family, in particular his brother Carlo and his daughter Alessia, who cherish his memory and successfully carry on the business. With this initiative, we want to continue to pass on his entrepreneurial spirit to new generations of startups.
Following the success of the 2024 edition, which received over 86 applications from across Italy (including 21 from Veneto), registration is now open for the eighth edition of the ‘Luciano Miotto Business Startup Award’, an initiative created by t2i – Technology Transfer and Innovation, a consortium company owned by the Chambers of Commerce of Treviso-Belluno | Dolomites, Verona, and Venice-Rovigo, in memory of Luciano Miotto, a visionary entrepreneur, open to the future and innovation, who passed away prematurely in the summer of 2018.
The project was created with the aim of promoting Italian digitalization and innovation, encouraging synergy between startups, research centers, and businesses, with a particular focus on young, innovative startups with the greatest growth potential. This is a mission that t2i has always been committed to through the Certified Incubator, the first certified public incubator fully owned by the Veneto Chamber of Commerce system (accredited by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy): in 2025, 62 innovative startups and SMEs were supported and over 700 hours of personalized consulting were provided for the launch of new businesses.
Open to innovative and digital business projects from all over Italy, the call for proposals is aimed at individuals, project teams, or new businesses that offer or intend to offer innovative solutions in the following sectors: Hi-tech & Digital; Industry 5.0 and Artificial Intelligence; Social Innovation and Circular Economy; Technologies and Innovation for Internationalization; Environmental, Economic, and Social Sustainability (ESG); Green Economy.
Also returning for this edition is the Special Female Startup Award, created to recognize young companies whose core (partners and shareholdings) is at least 51% female. New this year is the Special Sustainability Award, promoted by the Treviso-Belluno Dolomiti Chamber of Commerce, which demonstrates the Chamber’s desire to integrate sustainability as a driver of innovation and competitiveness.
Interested parties can submit their applications by February 13, 2026, by filling out the form available for download at this link and sending it to incubatore@t2i.it. For more details on the rules and how to participate in the competition, please consult the announcement at this link.
Within 30 days, the projects will be evaluated by a technical jury composed of representatives from the business world, associations, t2i, and experts from Invitalia, who will select the ten finalist startups. The top four, the two finalists for the women’s award, team award, and sustainability award will be honored at an event organized in collaboration with Confindustria Veneto Est.
The Luciano Miotto Start-Up Award involves the technical collaboration of Invitalia for t2i, a partner of the Invitalia Startup System, collaboration with Confindustria Veneto Est, and sponsorship by Imesa Spa and Asac srl, companies founded and led for many years by Luciano Miotto.
Thanks to the support of Imesa Spa, cash prizes will also be awarded to the two finalists, the winner of the Special Women’s Award, and the winner of the Best Team Award: the winner will receive a prize worth €3,500 and a 6-month acceleration program at the t2i Certified Incubator, which will be tailored to the real needs of the startup and may cover various topics: from intellectual property to social media assessment, marketing and communication, mentorship and networking, training, and access to public tenders and funding. The runner-up will receive a prize worth €1,500 and will be offered a mentoring session dedicated to needs assessment, digitization, and business model development/review. The winners of the Special Female Startup Award and the Best Team Award will also receive a prize worth €1,500, as well as a six-month contract for free home incubation at the t2i Certified Incubator. Finally, the winner of the Special Sustainability Award will receive a personalized ESG guidance program.
Invitalia offers winners guidance and support in applying for funding for incentives managed by the Agency.
For information and clarification, please contact the organizational secretariat of t2i-Technology Transfer and Innovation: incubatore@t2i.it – tel. 0425 471067
