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Submit your application to the Acceleration and/or Pre-Acceleration programs.
Applications are open to anyone (it is not necessary to be a Bocconi student or alumnus/a) from anywhere.
Deadline: January 7, 2026.
Since March 2020, we’ve launched 12 Startup Calls, received over 4.167 applications and welcomed a total of 259 startups. Over the past four years, these ventures have collectively raised in excess of €59 million and created more than 250 new jobs. Now we’re ready to announce the launch of our thirteenth Startup Call, which includes both our Acceleration and Pre-acceleration programs.
Choose the one that best matches your needs (and your startup’s stage of maturity) and submit your application!
B4i Pre-Acceleration Program - Batch XIIIWhat’s the goal?
To help you validate your business idea and develop a Minimum Viable Product.
Who is it for?
The program welcomes entrepreneurial teams from all backgrounds and experience levels, whether they are formally or informally established startups. No prior entrepreneurial experience is required, and you don’t need to be a Bocconi student or alumnus to join.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Here’s what you need:
Teams must include at least two people, and all members must be over 18;
As the program is entirely in English, a good working knowledge of the language is required.
When does it take place?
From 7 March to 20 June 2026.
How does the selection process work, and what’s the timeline?
January 7 | Startup Call closes;
Phase 1 | by February 2 | Feedback email from the B4i team;
Phase 2 | February 2–13 | Selection calls for teams who passed Phase 1 (40–60 teams);
February 20 | Announcement of selected teams (15–20).
How does the program work?
It’s a three-month online journey designed to fit around work or study commitments. It includes 11 mandatory Saturday morning workshops totalling 55 hours and access to tailored mentorship sessions based on each startup’s needs.
What will the Saturday workshops cover?
We’ll esplore into key topics for launching a startup such as customer discovery, market assessment, business model development, MVP design and financial planning.
What’s included in the program?
Online (and, when possible, in-person) meetings with mentors to address specific challenges using specialised digital tools;
Pro bono legal support covering areas such as IP strategy and protection, privacy, and company setup;
There will also be evening sessions (online and, when possible, in-person) with industry experts on topics such as customer interview techniques, pitching, rapid testing, fundraising and go-to-market strategy;
An internal Demo Day with the B4i team, mentors and guest speakers;
A final Demo Day where top-selected teams can pitch to experts and potential investors;
Networking events and access to Bocconi’s innovation community;
Free or discounted services from Bocconi and affiliated providers (databases, cloud hosting, payment systems, CRM and more);
Ongoing support from the B4i team for idea validation, go-to-market strategy, MVP development, pitch refinement and anything else you need to grow your business effectively;
One-to-one meetings with guest speakers to apply what you’ve learned and receive practical feedback.
👉 How to apply: Submit your application through this link by 7 January, 2026.
B4i Acceleration Program - Batch XIIIWhat’s the goal?
To guide founders in developing their startup from prototype to product-market fit, paving the way for sustainable business growth.
Who is it for?
The program is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs from all backgrounds and experience levels, especially those in the early stages of development and/or in the tech sector.
What are the eligibility criteria?
Here’s what we look for:
A team of at least two people who are fully committed to working on the startup full-time;
A registered company before the start of the program;
An innovative solution that addresses a real need in a growing market;
Some measurable validation indicators, such as paying users/customers or a pipeline of potential users, etc.).
When does it take place?
The program runs from 23 March to June 2026.
What is the selection process work, and what’s the timeline?
7 January | Startup Call closes;
Phase 1 | by 15 February | Feedback email from the B4i team;
Phase 2 | 26 January – 13 February | Selection calls for teams who passed Phase 1 (around 50 teams);
Phase 3 | 9 - 20 February | Selection calls for teams who passed Phase 2 (around 25 teams);
Phase 4 | 26 or 27 February (TBC) | In-person interviews with the B4i team and advisors (around 15 teams);
Phase 5 | 2 - 12 March | Final due diligence for shortlisted teams (around 10 teams);
13 March | Announcement of selected startups (6–8 teams).
How does the program work?
It’s a four-month full-time program based at our Milan offices, where selected startups will have access to a dedicated workspace and daily support from the B4i team. The program offers a wide range of services, including legal assistance, business development, marketing and UX/UI support, as well as access to a curated network of mentors and industry advisors tailored to your business needs.
We also commit to investing €80.000 in your startup through a convertible note and to assisting you during the fundraising process.
What’s included in the program?
Business development and go-to-market strategies, delivered through dedicated workshops and one-to-one mentoring;
CTO support to help with product strategy: tech stack selection, code review, hiring, security and more;
Growth and digital marketing consultancy (e.g. A/B testing, web analytics, lead generation and user research);
Six months of pro bono legal assistance, including support on IP strategy, term sheet negotiation, contracts and GDPR compliance;
UX/UI consulting (e.g. dashboards, landing pages, user interfaces);
Daily support from the B4i team on ways of working, pitch development, fundraising and overall startup management;
A modern workspace in the heart of Milan, shared with other startups;
A final Demo Day to pitch your startup to a curated audience of experts and investors;
Networking events and community-building activities to meet key players in the ecosystem, such as innovation experts, investors and founders, and to truly become part of our community;
Access to Bocconi’s global network and talent pool;
Free or discounted services from Bocconi and affiliated providers (databases, cloud hosting, payment systems, CRM and more).
👉 How to apply: Submit your application through this link by 7 January, 2026.
Here are a few pieces of advice from the B4i team to help you make your application stand out:
Propose innovative ideas that address a real market problem or need;
Support your proposal with data, such as market research or analysis;
When describing your Unique Selling Proposition, highlight what makes your business idea different from those of potential competitors;
Remember that your team is a key part of your application — we’ll carefully assess each member’s strengths and how well their skills complement one another.
You can find additional guidelines and useful tips for submitting a strong application HERE. If you’d like to find out more about the Startup Call or clarify specific details, join one of our two Q&A webinars, scheduled for November 25 and December 15, 2025.
Participation is free upon registration.
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