The fourth edition of the Italian Lifestyle Acceleration Program has started

Twelve weeks of acceleration in Florence for the six startups selected for the open innovation program dedicated to searching for innovative realities offering digital solutions and enabling technologies to the tourism, fashion, and food & beverage industries

On September 30th, the fourth edition of the Italian Lifestyle Accceleration Program officially kicked off at Nana Bianca’s premises inside the Fondazione CR Firenze. After the renewal of the agreement between Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, Fondazione CR Firenze, Nana Bianca, and the Foundation for Research and Innovation of the University of Florence, the new call4startup was launched, and at the end of September, the new journey began for the six selected startups.

The kickoff event featured opening speeches by the partners, who expressed satisfaction with the previous editions, highlighting how the program represents a true open innovation laboratory, how it creates employment and value for the territory, and how it constitutes a bridge between the academic world and the entrepreneurial sector.

It is worth remembering that in previous batches, 18 innovative realities were accelerated, which received over 4.5 million euros in funding and launched over 120 PoCs (Proofs of Concept) not only with partner companies but also with enterprises in related supply chains

After the partners' opening speeches, two startups accelerated in past editions, Foody and Meetalpha, shared their experience with Italian Lifestyle and the resulting business evolution, including increased revenues, collaborations with companies from the Tuscan territory, and new hires.

This year’s partner companies—Colorobbia, Gucci, Terna, Bauli, Cisco, Sanpellegrino, Alpitour World, Iren, and StarHotels—expressed their enthusiasm about participating in the initiative. They described their corporate approach to open innovation and innovation in general, as well as their expectations regarding collaboration opportunities with startups. Some companies, such as Colorobbia and Cisco, already partners in previous editions, shared stories about collaborations initiated with innovative startups.

On stage, the six startups selected for the 2025 edition of Italian Lifestyle took turns presenting themselves. They will have access to a €20,000 grant and will follow a 12-week program featuring training sessions, mentorship, and dedicated consulting.

The startups of the 2025 edition of the Italian Lifestyle Acceleration Program

ALOE: management software for hospitality operators that allows them to offer and manage local experiences for guests.

BIOTITAN: nanotechnology solutions to treat indoor and outdoor coatings.

BIOVA PROJECT: an upcycling and circular economy project producing beers, beverages, and snacks from unsold bread or other cereal waste.

ELEMENTAG: nanoparticle-based markers that blend with any material or product to make it traceable, authenticable, and to combat counterfeiting.

KNITRONIC: a company producing flexible textile sensors for monitoring large surfaces

WHY ONLY WHITE: augmented reality solutions to reduce the physical production of prototypes.

Watch the event's trailer