I3P relaunches on cybersecurity. L’incubator of the Polytechnic of Turin, selected among the operators of the Cyber Innovation Network of the National Cybersecurity Agency, launches a new entrepreneurial support path, created in collaboration with partners Leonardo e C*Sparksentirely dedicated to supporting young innovative cybersecurity companies: the Cybersecurity Incubation Program.
Who is the initiative aimed at?
The initiative is aimed at businesses established less than 5 years agoregistered in the Company Register, based in Italy and with one or more projects in the field of cybersecurity in line with the priorities identified by the ACN Research and Innovation Agenda, considering in particular those that use technologies such as data science, artificial intelligence, roboticsInternet of Things (IoT), blockchain, quantum computing o encryption. In fact, the program intends to support startups operating on emerging technologies, new solutions and business models, with high potential for innovation and scalability, which contribute to the development and diffusion of cybersecurity. It’s already open call for startup for seeking entrepreneurial teams interested in joining the program and benefiting from its numerous discounts for technological development, project validation, phases fundraisingentry into the markets and the possible internationalization of the company.
The I3P program offers a tailor-made 12-month incubation path for startups operating in the field of cybersecurity, which provides entrepreneurial development activities – tra cui customer discovery, business planning, support for team growth, intellectual property protection strategies, support in finding investors. Furthermore, the Leonardo group through its Cyber & Security Solutions division will offer to startups technical training, mentoring and the opportunity to evaluate Proof-of-Concept (PoC) implementation with your own experts. C*Sparks will offer support in the strategic and operational orientation of projects to increase fundraising opportunities.
The role of Acn
For the first year of activity, the National Cybersecurity Agency will be able to choose up to 4 companies that are part of the program and will support them with a non-repayable financial contribution of 50,000 euros in line with the regulations on state aid. To have access to the contribution offered by the Agency it is necessary to respect some additional criteria and requirements, highlighted in the documents that will be provided to the startups interested in the program. The ACN will then be able to propose some periodic training initiatives e awarenessfrom the mentoring sessionsfocused on the activities of the startup validation plan, and networking initiativeswith the aim of supporting companies’ access to qualified networks for the expansion of the entrepreneurial project.
For the Director General of the ACN, Bruno Frattasi, “the path started with the Cyber Innovation Network tells of how it is possible to create a virtuous continuum between research and industrial activities to concretely innovate. And it speaks to how committed the National Cybersecurity Agency is to fostering productive dialogue between basic science and applied science to advance our country’s cybersecurity agenda.”
“We are honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with the National Cybersecurity Agency and to be able to do so by bringing value to the Italian startup ecosystem,” he declared Giuseppe Scellato, President of I3P. “In this joint journey, the partnership with Leonardo and C*Sparks will be very valuable, which will complete the offer of skills and know-how made available to startups to accelerate their growth”.
The program will benefit from the experience gained by I3P and partners in supporting projects deeptechwith applications in the aerospace sector, defence & securityindustrial production, critical infrastructure monitoring, energy, financial services.
How to apply
Per apply for a startup To enter the Cybersecurity Incubation Program, you must contact the email address [email protected]. The call for startup of the program is permanently open, but foresees some periodic dates of cut-off after which the applications received will be examined and processed. The first cut-off will be Friday 14 June 2024. A second cut-off date is scheduled for the end of this year.