Intesa Sanpaolo launches Call4Innovation with Ideofarm to scout deep‑tech and new‑materials startups across Europe
Executive summary: Intesa Sanpaolo announced a Call4Innovation program run with Ideofarm that invites deep‑tech and new‑materials startups to apply for support, with a deadline in early September. The program channels banking resources into high‑growth, capital‑intensive sectors, potentially accelerating innovation and creating new investment opportunities for the bank.
Who is involved: Intesa Sanpaolo (lead bank), Ideofarm (venture builder and program partner), prospective deep‑tech and new‑materials startups across Europe.
Likely next: Startups will submit applications by early September; Intesa Sanpaolo and Ideofarm will evaluate candidates and announce selected projects, followed by possible mentorship, financing, and pilot collaborations.
Intesa Sanpaolo, together with venture builder Ideofarm, has opened an international Call4Innovation targeting deep‑tech and new‑materials ventures, accepting applications until early September. The initiative aims to identify high‑potential startups, provide them with banking support and potential follow‑on funding, and strengthen Italy’s position in emerging technology sectors. By partnering with Ideofarm, the bank leverages external expertise in scouting and accelerating early‑stage deep‑tech companies.
Timeline
- — Intesa Sanpaolo sostiene Ideofarm nella ricerca di tecnologie e start up (Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Startups submit applications by early September 2026
- Intesa Sanpaolo and Ideofarm announce selected deep‑tech projects
Sectors affected
- Deep Tech
- New Materials
- Banking & Financial Services
- Venture Capital
Regulatory implications
- Program must comply with EU state‑aid rules for bank‑backed innovation initiatives
- Possible alignment with EU innovation incentives and Horizon Europe deep‑tech calls
- Data protection and intellectual‑property considerations for early‑stage deep‑tech trials
Historical parallels
- UniCredit’s Startup Lab and Intesa Sanpaolo’s earlier Innovation Center initiatives
- Previous Intesa Sanpaolo calls for fintech and sustainability startups
- EU Horizon Europe and EIC Accelerator deep‑tech funding schemes
Key entities
Sources
- Intesa Sanpaolo sostiene Ideofarm nella ricerca di tecnologie e start up — Il Sole 24 Ore — Economia
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