Three emerging deep-tech startups have been selected as the inaugural cohort of Lake Como Venture Lab, an Italian incubation programme focused on advancing innovation in mechatronics and medical technology. CleanOs, Fraido, and Prometheus Plasma Systems will each receive €150,000 in grant funding alongside 12 months of intensive incubation support at the Politecnico di Milano’s campus in Lecco.
The selection marks the launch of what organisers describe as a significant initiative for the northern Italian startup ecosystem. The three chosen ventures will gain access to research facilities, expert mentorship, and networking opportunities within the broader deep-tech community as they work to refine their technologies and bring products to market.
Supporting Early-Stage Innovation
The programme’s structure reflects a growing emphasis on backing deep-tech ventures during their critical early stages of development. Beyond the direct financial support, participating startups will benefit from the academic resources available at Politecnico di Milano’s Lecco campus, positioning them to leverage cutting-edge research infrastructure for product development and validation.
Marco Campanari, commenting on the programme’s reception, noted the strength of initial applications. “We are extremely satisfied with the number and quality of applications for this first edition of Lake Como Venture Lab, which confirms the recognized authority of our initiative,” he stated, underscoring the competitive nature of the selection process.
Focus on Deep-Tech Sectors
The three selected companies represent the programme’s dual focus on mechatronics and medical technology—sectors where European innovation has increasingly gained prominence in recent years. These fields typically require substantial technical expertise, access to specialised equipment, and extended development timelines before reaching commercial viability, making targeted incubation support particularly valuable.
The grant-based funding model, rather than equity investment, allows the startups to retain full ownership and control during this formative phase. This approach has gained traction among European deep-tech accelerators and incubators seeking to support founders through the most resource-intensive stages of development without requiring immediate dilution.
Broader European Context
The launch of Lake Como Venture Lab reflects Italy’s continued efforts to strengthen its deep-tech ecosystem, particularly in regions outside Rome and Milan. The initiative joins a growing network of European incubators and accelerators dedicated to supporting hardware-intensive and science-based startups, which often struggle to attract traditional venture capital despite significant market potential.
With deep-tech startups increasingly recognised as crucial drivers of European technological sovereignty and competitiveness, programmes like Lake Como Venture Lab contribute to a broader continental strategy of nurturing innovation in critical areas including advanced manufacturing, healthcare technology, and industrial applications. The success of this inaugural cohort will likely inform the programme’s evolution as it scales in subsequent editions.