Acceleration Program
Taranto CirTech
The Taranto CirTech acceleration program is dedicated to startups and projects that apply advanced technologies to the circular economy across key sectors of the region.
What will we do?
The Taranto CirTech acceleration program will guide you through an intensive 8–9 week journey designed to enhance your project and transform it into a concrete, sustainable solution tailored to the local context.
We will begin with a gap analysis phase to assess the circularity level and the economic-entrepreneurial robustness of your proposal. From there, we will support you from idea validation all the way to the pitch, working on key aspects such as design thinking, circular business models, prototyping, go-to-market strategy, communication, and financial planning.
The program will kick off with an in-person session in Taranto on July 8, 2025, and will culminate in the Demo Day on September 24, where you will have the opportunity to present your solution to a panel of experts and investors, with the chance to win prizes up to €12,500 and development opportunities with local partners.
KICK OFF | 8 July 2025 | Taranto
The program’s opening event will serve as a moment of sharing, networking, and operational kick-off. During the meeting, the selected projects will be presented through a pitch session, and the key stakeholders involved in the program (such as mentors, partners, the organizing team, and experts) will be introduced. This will be followed by the first introductory masterclass.
MASTERCLASS 1 | 8 July 2025 | Taranto
Entrepreneurial mindset & Local Ecosystem
This masterclass opens the program with a dual perspective: on one hand, the development of an entrepreneurial mindset as an enabler for project action in complex contexts; on the other, a critical exploration of the local context, featuring data and insights drawn from the Taranto Circolare initiative, aimed at identifying concrete intervention opportunities.
Module 1 – Entrepreneurial Mindset (1h)
A reflective and hands-on journey focusing on key skills such as systemic vision, resilience, decision-making ability, and adaptability. We will work on building an entrepreneurial framework oriented toward action, with particular attention to initiative in uncertain contexts, priority management, and the ability to quickly learn from mistakes and iterations.
Module 2 – Circular Economy for the Taranto Area (1h)
An analysis of the findings from the local circular economy observatory, focusing on trends, needs, active stakeholders, and existing initiatives. The goal is to provide a strategic orientation space that helps anchor projects to the real needs of the territory and identify their transformative potential.
MASTERCLASS 2 | Week of 14 July 2025 | online
Design thinking and Discovery & Validation methodology
Single module (3h)
This masterclass introduces a design approach through the Design Thinking framework, with a particular focus on the discovery phase as a strategic lever for building high-impact solutions. We will examine the five classic phases of Design Thinking (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test), highlighting how the iterative cycle of prototyping and validation is crucial to reduce project risk and enhance the overall sustainability of the intervention.
MASTERCLASS 3 | Week of 21 July 2025 | online
Business model for circular projects and PoC
Module 1 – Business Model for Circular Projects (2h)
In this module, we will deepen the development of business models oriented toward circularity using the Business Model Canvas. Starting from the definition of the value proposition and the environmental and systemic benefits generated, we will analyze how to integrally model operational logics, stakeholders, and value flows with a regenerative perspective. Circular KPIs will be introduced to measure impacts and performance, alongside the analysis of real cases from similar sectors, with particular attention to scalability and replicability of the models.
Module 2 – PoC Strategy (2h)
The second module focuses on designing a solid validation strategy through PoCs and MVPs, tailored to the project’s technological maturity level (TRL) and priorities. Building on your own BMC and feedback from the gap analysis, we will work on defining validation objectives and KPIs, distinguishing between operational and strategic metrics. Tools will also be provided to assess the feasibility, impact, and risk of the PoCs.
MASTERCLASS 4 | Week of 25 August 2025 | online
IP strategy and partnership
Module 1 – IP Management (2h)
This module provides a practical overview of intellectual property protection tools relevant to highly innovative entrepreneurial projects. Starting with the distinction between different types of IP – patents, designs, copyrights, and trade secrets – we will address strategic approaches to protection, valorization, and licensing, with particular attention to timing and application scenarios.
Module 2 – Partnerships (1h)
In this module, we will explore the role of strategic partnerships as a lever to enhance validation, positioning, and scalability of projects. Beginning with the key partners within the Taranto CirTech ecosystem, we will analyze how to build coherent, actionable, and mutually beneficial partnership requests.
MASTERCLASS 5 | Week of 01 September 2025 | online
Go-to-Market
Single module (3h)
This masterclass guides teams in defining a solid and realistic go-to-market strategy focused on validating market interest and building a differentiated positioning, for both B2B and B2C contexts. Through analysis of the customer journey, pricing models, and distribution channels, participants will develop a launch roadmap aligned with available resources and the project’s maturity stage. Significant emphasis will be placed on segmentation and testing desirability through rapid market validation actions targeting the selected audience.
MASTERCLASS 6 | Week of 08 September 2025 | online
Financial Plan
Single module (2h)
In this masterclass, we delve into the essential tools for building a solid financial plan, starting from cost structure analysis to cash flow projection. The focus is twofold: on one hand, operational budgeting for the execution of PoCs and testing phases; on the other, preparation for presentations to investors and financial stakeholders. We will examine the main funding sources available for impact-driven innovative projects, key metrics required during evaluation, and the essential elements to include in a financial pitch deck.
MASTERCLASS 7 | Week of 15 September 2025 | online
Impact Communication
Module 1 – Impact Communication (2h)
The ability to strategically articulate and communicate the value generated by an impact project is a competitive asset. This module explores how to design communication that coherently connects mission, measurable outcomes, and strategic narrative, integrating ESG metrics and stakeholder-oriented storytelling techniques. Participants will learn how to select relevant KPIs for environment, society, and governance, and how to adapt them to the most effective formats and channels.
Module 2 – Pitch Architecture & Public Speaking (1h)
In this final module, we focus on the pitch and how to deliver it effectively in front of an audience. The goal is to develop an oral presentation that not only tells the project’s story but strategically positions it before critical stakeholders. We will explore a reference narrative structure, examining the relationship between content, visual design, and presence. Ample attention will be given to audience engagement, time management, and adapting the pitch to short formats and other contexts.
One-to-one mentorship
Throughout the program, you will have access to one-on-one mentoring sessions with business, design, and technical mentors.
These sessions will provide you with targeted feedback on your project and help you address specific challenges.
Mentoring sessions will be scheduled throughout the program’s duration and arranged according to the needs of each team, in coordination with the assigned mentors.
DEMO DAY | 24 September 2025 | Taranto
A final in-person event where the various teams will present their projects and objectives to national and international investors through a pitch session. This will be followed by the evaluation of the projects by the jury, and then the announcement of the winners and the awarding of prizes.
OUR EXPERTS
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Promoter and Organizer
Tondo supports analyses, studies, scientific research, projects, pilot initiatives, and operational activities aimed at safeguarding and improving environmental conditions, as well as promoting the wise and rational use of natural resources, in line with the principles of the Circular Economy.
Scientific partners
The scientific partners provide their technical and scientific know-how, making an essential contribution to the development of the programme. Their involvement is vital to guarantee methodological rigour, support in evaluating solutions, and technical-specialist accompaniment during the key phases of the programme.
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Institutional partners
Institutional partners play a strategic role in bridging research and innovation with the productive sector. Thanks to their operational expertise, technical resources, and direct market knowledge, they contribute to the development and validation of the most promising solutions. Their active involvement, through mentoring and close support, helps foster the growth of an ecosystem focused on innovation and industrial sustainability.
Ecosystem partners
Ecosystem partners leverage their networks and technical-methodological expertise to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and foster high-impact synergies. They contribute to the identification and development of projects by providing specialised guidance, promoting technology transfer, and valorising research.
Financial partners
Financial partners play a strategic role in evaluating the growth potential of the most promising startups. Thanks to their expertise in assessing entrepreneurial opportunities and understanding development dynamics, they help identify the most solid and scalable initiatives. Their involvement supports the growth of an innovative and sustainable ecosystem.
Media partner
Media partners play a key role in promoting and disseminating the event to a broad and diverse audience. Through their channels, they help raise awareness of the initiative, amplify its visibility, and engage new communities, fostering wider and more informed participation.
“Taranto CirTech: Taranto Circolare – Call 4 Deep Tech Ideas” project created following the participation of Tondo in the MUSA – Multilayered Urban Sustainability Action – project, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) Mission 4 Component 2 Investment Line 1.5: Strengthening of research structures and creation of R&D “innovation ecosystems”, set up of “territorial leaders in R&D”.