• the project

An accelerator for ideas

ready to launch into orbit

Methodology, expertise, and a network of partners to grow sustainably.

  • Acceleration and incubation

Discover the programs

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Accelerate your startup's growth and scalability while maximizing impact.

Are you a growing startup? Acceleration

Transforming an idea into a business: expert mentoring and international markets to build your venture.

Do you have a business idea? Incubation
  • how?

The model

NEXT-ER is a highly qualified incubation and acceleration program for 16 startups in the DeepTech, Energy, and AgriTech sectors. It is delivered by a strategic partnership including MISTER Smart Innovation, Univillage, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza, and Kilowatt, with the fundamental scientific support of the CNR Area Territoriale di Ricerca di Bologna (CNR-ATdR BO), featuring proven experience and expertise in technology transfer, Open Innovation, and social impact strategies.

  • The pillars

Turning research into a competitive advantage

Training and mentorship

Masterclasses on AI, business modeling, subsidized financing, ethics, and sustainability.

Impact-driven strategic planning

Developing visions for positive local change through a collaborative approach and careful governance.

Technology transfer and Open Innovation

Solution validation, TRL advancement, and Proof of Concept activation with Corporates and SMEs.

Internationalization

Access to international networks and projects

Financial support

Facilitating capital raising through investors and business angels.

Compliance by Design

Startups ready for global regulatory challenges, ensuring stability and scalability in the international market.

  • overview

Two paths, infinite possibilities

  • the phases

Training program plan

Operational alignment phase and definition of the growth roadmap for each project (company or team); this phase includes a launch kick-off and assessment sessions with the startups.

Focus on building solid and sustainable corporate foundations, aligned with social impact business models that integrate social and data sciences to offer a deep understanding of context and relationships.

Validating content from both a technical and commercial perspective, as well as capturing the interest of potential investors.

Preparation for commercial launch, start of field tests (PoC), and in-depth exploration of alternative finance tools.

The final phase is entirely dedicated to capital raising and local, national, and international visibility. This phase includes the international Roadshow and the final Demo-Day.

  • 2027

Timeline

  1. Call
    opening
    12.10.2026
  2. Call
    closing
    by 11:59 PM
    on 11.22.2026
  3. Selection of
    winners
    and
    ranking
    publication
    by
    12.18.2026
  4. Kick-off for
    incubation and
    acceleration
    programs
    11.01.2027
  5. End of
    incubation and
    acceleration programs
    31.12.2027
  6. Final event
    Pitch Day
    14.12.2027
  • The NEXT-ER ecosystem