With the aim of supporting and promoting technological development and innovation within the framework of the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2022-2026, the Italian National Cybersecurity Agency (ACN) has set up a network of operators in Italy to design and implement joint programs to support and accelerate innovation and applied research.
Among these operators, the Incubator of Politecnico di Torino (I3P) launched in 2024 the Cybersecurity Incubation Program, a new path of entrepreneurial accompaniment, created in collaboration with partners Leonardo S.p.A. and C*Sparks, entirely dedicated to supporting young innovative companies which are active in the field of cybersecurity.
The offer of the path
The programme aims to support start-ups working on emerging technologies, new solutions and business models, with high potential for innovation and scalability, able to contribute to the development and spread of cybersecurity. The call for start-ups is already open, in order to find entrepreneurial teams interested in joining the program and benefiting from its numerous facilitations for technological development, project validation, fundraising stages, market entry and possible internationalisation of the company.
I3P's program offers a 12-month incubation path, tailor-made for start-ups operating in the cybersecurity sector, which includes entrepreneurial development activities - including customer discovery, business planning, support for team growth, IP protection strategies, assistance in the search for investors.
In addition, the Leonardo group, through its Cyber & Security Solutions division, offers technical training, mentoring and the opportunity to evaluate the realisation of a Proof-of-Concept (PoC) with its experts, while C*Sparks offers support in the strategic and operational orientation of projects to increase fundraising opportunities.
Requirements and perspectives
The initiative is aimed at companies that have been established for less than five years, are registered in the Italian Business Register, are based in Italy and have one or more projects in the field of cybersecurity in line with the priorities identified by ACN's Research & Innovation Agenda, particularly those using technologies such as data science, artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, quantum computing or cryptography.
To apply to join the Cybersecurity Incubation Program, start-ups can write an e-mail to the dedicated address cybersecurity@i3p.it presenting their project and following the next steps that will be explained in response. The call documents - in Italian language - are available for download from this link for prior consultation by interested parties: fillable versions of the application forms will be provided by e-mail.
The program's call for start-ups is permanently open, but has periodic cut-off dates after which the applications received until each date will be reviewed and processed.
For the first year of activity, ACN will be able to choose up to four companies already part of the program and support them with a non-reimbursable financial contribution of €50,000 in line with the State aid rules. To have access to the contribution offered by the Agency, it is necessary to comply with some additional criteria and requirements, highlighted in the documents that will be provided to start-ups interested in the program.
ACN may then propose periodic training and awareness initiatives, mentoring sessions focused on the activities of the start-up validation plan, and networking initiatives aimed at supporting the companies' access to qualified networks for the expansion of the business project.
