Start Cup Padua
From 28 April 2026, applications are open for the Start Cup Padua 2026 call, now in its 25th edition.
Start Cup Padua is a competition between people who develop innovative business ideas, funded and implemented by the University of Padua, also thanks to all the partner institutions that in various forms believe in the value of the initiative and support it and is coordinated by the Office for the Enhancement of Knowledge and Academic Entrepreneurship.
The Business Plan Competition is aimed at teams of at least two members, even if not belonging to the University of Padua, with innovative business ideas and who aspire to set up a company with legal and operational campus in the Veneto Region or groups that have already recently set up a company. Categories: ICT, Industrial, Cleantech&Energy, Life Science, Culture, Creative and Inclusive Society
Start Cup Padua aims to support and stimulate entrepreneurship based on research and innovation and aimed at the economic development of the territory. In particular, SCP intends to spread business culture as a tool for the enhancement of knowledge generated by academic research and as a vehicle for the expression of the talent and creativity of human capital trained in universities.
Call closing date: 9 June, 1 pm.
Date of the final of the Start Cup Padua 2026: October 1, 2026
At the Start Cup Padua 2026 final, the following prizes are awarded:
- 1st prize: € 6,000
- 2nd prize: € 5,000
- 3rd prize: € 4,000
Additional cash prizes will also be awarded for the following special mentions:
- Social Innovation
- Female Entrepreneurship
- Climate Change
Depending on the availability of the entities involved, additional cash prizes or services may be awarded.
Participation in the PNI 2026 is reserved for the three winning teams, while it will be at the discretion of the CTS to evaluate the possibility of having the winning teams participate in special mentions based on the type of project presented.
The PNI final is held in Bari on December 3-4, 2026.
Start Cup Padua offers not only cash support, but also training and advice on the most important aspects of business management.
The selected teams have the opportunity to participate in the Acceleration Program, three days of intensive training on the dates: 2 - 6 - 14 July 2026 in Padua. Supported by expert consultants, they will acquire and deepen skills useful for the drafting of the Business Plan, the pitch and the presentation.
Durante these days, participants attend lectures and take part in workshops and laboratories aimed at refining the business model and business plan of the initiative presented.
In October, the Pitch day is scheduled, dedicated to perfecting the presentation of the project.
The final of Start Cup Padua 2026 will be awarded the following prizes:
- 1st prize: Euro 6,000
- 2nd prize: Euro 5,000
- 3rd prize: Euro 4,000
Additional cash prizes will also be awarded for the following special mentions:
- Social Innovation: the best 'Social Innovation' project, which proposes innovative solutions in one of the fields provided for in Article 2, paragraph 1, of Legislative Decree 155/2006 on social enterprise;
- Female Entrepreneurship: best female business project with a team with a majority of women (greater than 50%);
- Climate Change: best business project with an impact on climate change capable of integrating innovation, technology, protection and enhancement of natural resources, in order to generate economic growth and environmental protection.
Depending on the availability of the entities involved, additional cash prizes or services may be awarded.
Participation in the PNI 2026 is reserved for the 3 winning teams while it will be at the discretion of the CTS to evaluate the possibility of having the winning teams participate in special mentions based on the type of project presented.
The PNI final will be held in Bari on 3-4 December 2026.
Knowledge enhancement and academic entrepreneurship
Technology Transfer Sector
via Martiri della Libertà 8, 35137 Padua
Roberta Rosa - tel. 049 827 1825
Email: startcup.padova@unipd.it
Instagram: www.instagram.com/start_cup_padova