RESTART Startup Contest: €120,000 Awarded to 15 Innovative Startups in AI for Networks and Data Management
The first edition of the RESTART Startup Contest: AI for Networks and Data Management has concluded with great participation, an initiative promoted by RESTART Foundation to support and showcase Italy’s most innovative startups in the field of artificial intelligence applied to networks and data management.
The contest saw the award of 15 prizes for a total value of €120,000, confirming RESTART’s commitment to promoting the national high-tech entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering the development of cutting-edge solutions in the fields of network automation, AI-based cybersecurity, and data-driven optimization.
Prize Distribution
The non-repayable grants were distributed as follows:
- €10,000 for the top 5 startups
- €8,000 for the next 5
- €6,000 for the final 5 winners
Showcase at the Final Plenary Dissemination Event
The winning startups will have the opportunity to present their projects during the RESTART Final Plenary Dissemination Event, the major closing event of the program taking place from January 19-21, 2026 at the Auditorium della Tecnica (Confindustria, Rome). A unique opportunity to meet investors, industrial partners, and the national and international scientific community.
A Growing Ecosystem
The success of this first edition confirms the vitality of the Italian deep-tech startup ecosystem and the effectiveness of innovation support policies promoted under the NRRP. The selected startups, all founded from 2020 onwards, represent the new generation of technology entrepreneurs capable of bringing highly innovative solutions to market.