The Iren Group, with the support of CE Lab, launches the sixth edition of the Iren Startup Award, the open innovation program aimed at identifying startups and innovative SMEs capable of developing solutions based on Artificial Intelligence, automation, and robotics applied to physical and industrial processes.

The Iren Group has launched the sixth edition of the Iren Startup Award, its open innovation program aimed at identifying startups and innovative SMEs developing solutions based on Artificial Intelligence, automation and robotics applied to physical and industrial processes. The new call, entitled “AI4Automation & Physical Processes”, is open until 2 October 2026 and targets Italian and international innovative companies interested in collaborating with one of Italy’s leading multi-utilities.

The 2026 edition of the Iren Startup Award is managed by the Circular Economy Lab, an initiative promoted by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center and Factory Plus, which supports the Iren Group in designing and developing the entire open innovation programme.

The initiative aims to identify technologies capable of improving the efficiency, safety and resilience of plants, infrastructures and essential services, while also contributing to a smarter, more sustainable and circular management of resources.

An Opportunity for Startups and Innovative SMEs

The call is open to startups and innovative SMEs developing solutions that are easy to implement, scalable and interoperable with existing systems, with a particular focus on technologies integrating intelligent software, AI agents, robotics, autonomous systems, advanced industrial automation and cyber-physical technologies.

The Iren Group’s goal is to foster the evolution of its operational and industrial processes through concrete innovation projects, creating collaboration opportunities with innovative companies from Italy and abroad. Selected solutions may be tested through Proofs of Concept (PoCs), pilot projects, commercial collaborations and potential Corporate Venture Capital initiatives.

Application Areas Within the Iren Group

The proposed technologies may be applied across the four Business Units of the Iren Group:

• Networks (Ireti), for the monitoring, inspection and efficient management of energy and water infrastructures;
• Environment, for automating waste collection and treatment processes and supporting the development of circular economy models;
• Energy, for the intelligent management of plants and the optimisation of energy production and distribution;
• Market, to enhance customer interaction and develop increasingly personalised services.

Particular attention will be given to solutions capable of increasing operational autonomy, safety, productivity and resilience for people, processes and infrastructures, while also improving service quality and the circular use of resources.

A Path Towards Industrial Collaboration

Following the application phase, the most promising startups and innovative SMEs will take part in an evaluation and assessment process. The finalists will be invited to the Demo Day, where they will present their solutions to the Business Unit leaders and Top Management of the Iren Group to explore potential operational applications and joint development opportunities.

Across its five previous editions, the Iren Startup Award has involved a total of 630 startups, confirming its role as an effective tool for identifying emerging technologies and accelerating their adoption across the Group’s various business areas.

Applications will remain open until 2 October 2026.