The ten start-ups that participated in the ScaleUp Lab programme at Area Science Park in Trieste arrived in Milan to present themselves to investors at the demo day hosted at the Smart City Lab (of which Designtech, publisher of Startupbusiness, is a partner).
The start-ups are
Asteasier produces functional algal biomass for aquaculture and nutraceuticals using a proprietary platform developed at the University of Verona. The solution offers superior bioavailability compared to synthetic products, targeting premium market segments that value sustainability and biological effectiveness.
DNAswitch develops therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington’s, by activating the natural protective programmes of neuronal cells rather than simply silencing defective genes. It uses advanced delivery technologies to ensure long-lasting and scalable treatments for various diseases. The team is composed of experts in neurobiology and gene regulation.
EMC Gems offers a cloud-based SaaS platform that integrates electromagnetic solvers and AI optimisation algorithms for the design of smart components and sensors. The spin-off aims to speed up a traditionally slow and fragmented process, responding to the growing demand for high-performance components.
My Industries offers myRobot, an autonomous robotic station equipped with a digital twin and AI to replace human operators in repetitive, low-value tasks. The system self-programmes and quickly adapts to small batches, reducing automation costs for manufacturing SMEs.
Primo Principio, with the 4Agri platform, provides advanced monitoring and decision support systems (DSS) for agriculture 4.0 and hydrogeological risk management. The solutions help farms comply with new regulations and manage climate challenges through predictive models.
SatEnlight implements high-capacity wireless optical communication systems based on patented OAM (Orbital Angular Momentum) technology. By using light instead of radio waves, the company guarantees greater security and speed in the network backbone for defence and telecommunications.
SOC created the Semory platform to help SMEs manage workplace safety compliance in an automated way. Starting from existing documents, AI generates alerts and suggests personalised guidelines, enabling companies to obtain reductions in INAIL premiums. The estimated potential market in Italy alone is €3 billion per year.
VitalizeDx develops biodynamic digital twins to prevent injuries in professional athletes by integrating biological, psychophysical and neuromuscular metrics. Using portable technology and an app, it provides actionable data to teams to reduce costs associated with biological downtime. The team is predominantly female with expertise in biotechnology and engineering.
VZ Compliance offers Beamknot, a cloud-based platform based on digital twins to simulate and predict the actual use of space in buildings before they are constructed. By analysing layouts and occupancy flows, Beamknot reduces the need for costly post-construction modifications.
Yeastime has patented an ultrasonic technology to stimulate microorganisms during industrial fermentation, improving their metabolic efficiency. The plug-and-play solution speeds up production times by up to 30%, reducing costs for breweries and bio-manufacturers.
The presentation was attended by investors, corporate innovation managers, policy makers and operators in the innovation ecosystem. ScaleUp Lab is the acceleration programme designed by Area Science Park as part of the IP4FVG – EDIH project to support start-ups in developing their skills, working on business models, open innovation and fundraising. The programme, supported by Italian Tech Alliance, Strategyzer and Lab11, combined training sessions, personalised coaching and direct interaction with investors and international experts.
The solutions presented in Milan cover a wide range of sectors, from enterprise AI to biotech, agrotech, industrial automation and optical telecommunications.
“Area Science Park has long been operating as an enabler of ecosystems and a platform connecting high-potential start-ups with key players in innovation,” said Roberto Pillon, head of the business generation office at Area Science Park, speaking at the event. “This event was a useful opportunity for discussion between research, business and capital. Thanks to a high-level panel, we compared complementary perspectives from the worlds of venture capital, strategy and the innovation ecosystem in relation to deep tech, addressing crucial issues such as the evaluation of deep tech start-ups, the balance between scientific excellence and business sustainability, the adaptation of business models to long and complex development cycles, and the strategic value of belonging to cohesive ecosystems.”
During the event, potential investors, each with a virtual purse of one million euros at their disposal, simulated investment scenarios for the most promising start-ups, evaluating the pitches according to four criteria: problem and solution, clarity of need and validity of the proposed solution; market, market size and growth potential; business model, economic sustainability and monetisation strategy; traction and team, results achieved so far and expertise of the founders; pitch and delivery, communication effectiveness, slide design, time management. The three most convincing proposals were those of DNAswitch, SatEnlight and Primo Principio.
Pitch Day is the culmination of a capacity building programme launched in September 2025, involving high-tech start-ups from all over Italy engaged in the most complex challenge of deep tech innovation: transforming scientific breakthroughs into scalable business models capable of attracting markets, skills and capital.
Present at the event were Francesco Cerruti, general manager of Italian Tech Alliance, Alvise Bonivento, partner at Indaco Venture Partners, Maria Butler, business coach at Strategyzer, Martina Terconi, coordinator at IP4FVG-EDIH, Area Science Park, Matteo Elli, partner at Pariter Partners, as well as the mentors who supported the start-ups throughout the programme and who appear in the photo alongside the founders.
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