Green Chemistry: Six €25,000 Awards for Sustainable Innovation

Six priority areas for advancing a more sustainable chemicals industry, and six €25,000 awards for the most promising innovative solutions. These are the key features of the “Green Chemistry Lombardy for a Sustainable Future 2026” competition, open until 11 September 2026.

The initiative is promoted by Lombardy Region and Federated Innovation@MIND, with the support of Factory Plus.

The competition is open to start-ups, innovative SMEs, university spin-offs, research teams and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Innovation challenges

Applicants are invited to develop innovative chemical solutions addressing one of the following areas:

1. Industrial decarbonisation solutions.
2. Innovative materials for emerging sectors and high-impact applications.
3. Advanced traceability and supply chain digitalisation.
4. Circular economy approaches for chemical materials and products.
5. Water management and reuse technologies.
6. Digitalisation and automation for research, development and manufacturing.

A co-innovation process driven by industry

The challenge areas were identified through a call for expressions of interest involving large companies and organisations operating in sectors that use chemical products. Participating corporates highlighted the areas where innovation is most needed and, in some cases, identified specific business challenges.

This approach creates a co-innovation process that brings together industry, start-ups and innovative SMEs to develop practical, market-oriented solutions.

In addition to the cash awards, the winning start-ups will benefit from tailored mentoring and the opportunity to develop a Proof of Concept (PoC) with companies within the MIND ecosystem, including ELT Group, Nippon Sanso and Bracco.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by 11 September 2026 using the online application form.

Full details, including the competition rules, are available on the “Green Chemistry Lombardy for a Sustainable Future” webpage.

This initiative is one of six start-up competitions promoted by Lombardy Region for 2026 in collaboration with ten universities in Lombardy and other partner organisations.