A new transatlantic initiative is creating a direct innovation corridor between Italy and the United States, connecting Lombardy’s technology ecosystem with Silicon Valley and one of California’s leading university-based startup accelerators.
Pianeta Accelerator is a 3-year program designed to help innovative companies grow through a combination of American expertise, international investors and Italy’s industrial ecosystem. Each annual cycle will select up to 20 startups for a 6-month acceleration program divided equally between the United States and Italy.
The first 3 months will be managed in partnership with UC Berkeley SkyDeck, the global accelerator of the University of California, Berkeley. The selected companies will spend 3 weeks physically in the United States, gaining access to workshops, one-on-one mentorship and Silicon Valley’s international network of investors and technology experts.
The program will then move back to Italy for another 3 months at MIND Milano Innovation District. There, startups will work with companies on proof-of-concept projects, develop commercial opportunities and build connections within the European market.
The initiative has €2.8 million in financial support – €1.5 million from Fondazione Cariplo, €1 million from Regione Lombardia and €300,000 from Principia.
Its importance goes beyond startup financing. Pianeta Accelerator establishes a structured route through which Italian innovation can gain direct exposure to the American technology and investment environment while bringing Silicon Valley expertise into one of Italy’s strongest industrial regions.
Four strategic sectors are targeted: Bio & Health, artificial intelligence, Clean Tech, and Deep Tech & Chips. They include fields ranging from precision genomics and digital health to advanced semiconductors, quantum computing, robotics, green hydrogen and energy storage.
Applications for the first group close October 5, 2026. The US phase will run from November through January 2027, followed by the Italian phase from February through April and a final Demo Day in Milan – creating a recurring Italy–US pipeline for technology, investment and entrepreneurship.
