Tuscany Region officially presents the "TMB - Tuscany Mediterranean Bridge" programme, a strategic initiative promoted with Regional Law 4 February 2025, n. 10, implemented by Sviluppo Toscana, which aims to position the Region as a hub for Mediterranean technological innovation. The programme is fully aligned with the AI program for Sustainable Development promoted by the Italian Government and UNDP.
The 2025 edition will officially begin at the end of July with an online pre-acceleration phase, and will culminate in Pisa from September 1st to 5th. It will bring together 40 founders from Tuscany Region, Mediterranean and African countries covered by the Italian “Piano Mattei” for a comprehensive acceleration and networking journey focused on smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence.
The programme is powered by GATE REI, a leading Italian company managing 12 hubs for innovation in 12 Italian cities, offering a wide range of programs for entrepreneurship development focussed on tech for good.
WHEN
The TMB program is structured in two phases:
1. Online Pre-Acceleration Phase: 25 july 2025 - 11 august 2025. Num. 5 online webinar 1h each
2. On-site Acceleration Week in Pisa (September 1-5 in Pisa at GATE center)
WHO CAN APPLY
TMB is designed for 40 founders from Tuscany, Mediterranean and selected African countries (Egitto, Tunisia, Algeria, Marocco, Costa d'Avorio, Mozambico, Repubblica del Congo, Etiopia, Kenya, Angola, Ghana, Mauritania, Tanzania e Senegal)
The Programme focuses on two key technological domains:
Smart Manufacturing
Collaborative Robotics and Flexible Automation
Digital Twin and Simulation
Industrial IoT and Connectivity
Predictive Maintenance
Resilient Supply Chain
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Vision for Quality Control
Predictive AI for Industrial Processes
AI for Design and Prototyping
Cybersecurity
NLP and Industrial Virtual Assistants
Industrial Data Analysis
WHAT DO WE OFFER
The programme is free of charge for all selected attendees. Founders from abroad will have T&A costs covered (for travel a fixed contribution, not full cost).
The programme offers a mix of training and networking sessions, two meetup sessions with investors from Italy and abroad, and it is led by top players in the field.
The Demo Day, scheduled for Thursday, September 4th, will provide an opportunity for investors, companies, and institutions to discover the innovative solutions developed by the startups and establish strategic collaborations.
HOW TO APPLY
Application and Selection
● Call Opening: June 14, 2025
● Application Deadline: July 14.7
● Announcement of Selected Startups: July 17, 2025 (40 founders)
LINK TO APPLICATION FORMS
Both links are valid for official application.
Email for more information: diluzio@gaterei.it
SELECTION CRITERIA
We are looking for early stage start ups, already incorporated. Preference in the selection will be given to startups with proven track record of revenues and investments, and that have a team ready for growth in international markets.
The selection will be made by a panel composed of representatives from the Tuscany Region and the programme leaders.
WHY PISA
The Pisan ecosystem offers a unique combination of academic excellence, advanced technological expertise, and strategic positioning that make it the ideal hub for an acceleration program focused on Smart Manufacturing and AI for Mediterranean startups. The active collaboration between world-class universities, cutting-edge research centers, and public administration creates a fertile environment for cross-Mediterranean innovation, with growing investments (€43 million in 2022) and a manufacturing tradition that is rapidly digitalizing.
STRATEGIC VALUE FOR ATTENDEES
The initiative aligns with the vision and objectives of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, promoted by the Italian Government and UNDP, which aims to harness artificial intelligence to foster inclusive economic growth, address global challenges, and support cooperation between Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean. By focusing on AI and smart manufacturing, TMB contributes to creating a shared innovation agenda that connects technological excellence with sustainable development goals, reinforcing Tuscany’s positioning within international innovation ecosystems.
