Business and Tech Acceleration Program on Gaming

The action referred to in this Call falls within the scope of the activity line of “Infiniti Mondi Napoli Innovation City”, relating to Business Incubation and Acceleration (WP 4).

The initiative is promoted by the University of Naples Federico II and Cefriel – Technology Transfer Centre of the Polytechnic University of Milan, with the operational coordination of Fabbrica Italiana dell’Innovazione.

Aims

• The Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti “Infiniti Mondi – Naples Innovation City” (hereinafter also referred to as “Infiniti Mondi” or “CTE Napoli”) is a project of the Municipality of Naples, funded by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, which aims to provide companies with an innovation centre specialised in Metaverse, Web 3.0, Gaming/Gamification, Digital Storytelling, Quantum Computing and 5G, to develop and test products, processes, services, startups and new business models in the Cultural and Creative Industries sector.

Funding Information

• The selected Italian and/or foreign companies will receive a grant of €5,000 at the end of the program.
• The acceleration program is configured as financial and non-financial support subject to the De Minimis regime, for a total value, for each company, of €23,000.

Program Structure and Duration

• The Business & Tech Acceleration Program will be held in English language and is divided into three complementary training modules, each aimed at developing specific and integrated skills for startups in the gaming and multimedia sectors:
  • Module No. 1 – ArTech (144hours): provides technical and practical training, from game design to the use of Unity, via AI, algorithms and immersive technologies. Participants will acquire skills in game design, UI/UX, interactive development and graphics optimisation, with a progressive approach from fundamentals to advanced techniques.
  • Module No. 2 – Business Setups (64hours): provides in-depth practical sessions on business design and modelling, value proposition, strategic networking, problem solving. Selected subjects will also be accompanied on the topics of ordinary, subsidised and risk finance.
  • Module No. 3 – Collaborative Case Study (16hours): is a hands-on workshop where participants, divided into teams, work on the company and product launch, defining technical, strategic, branding and go-to-market aspects, up to the final pitch with expert feedback.
• Participants will also have the opportunity to access the wider system of resources, skills, workshops, services, activities and opportunities made available by the City of Naples’ Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti, including:
  • Use of the CTE technology labs, equipped with the most advanced prototyping and testing tools, to be used for the design and development of new products and services in the fields of Gaming & Gamification, Digital Storytelling and audiovisual technologies, Metaverse, Web 3;
  • Participation in up-skilling and re-skilling paths, in order to create new advanced professional figures for the cultural and creative industries, such as technologists, creators, developers, designers, and to innovate existing ones;
  • Participation in Open Innovation Programs, with the aim of facilitating the alignment between demand and supply of innovation, through networking and matchmaking activities;
  • Access to CTE Metalab, a dynamic meeting point for scholars, designers, artists, producers, technologists, curators and educators.
• The Program will start on 8 September 2025 and will end on 21 November 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• This call is aimed at a maximum of 10 national and international startups and/or SMEs specializing in the gaming and immersive experiences (VR, AR, MR) sector, with high innovation potential, interested in growing in the global gaming market through training, mentoring, networking, and financial contributions.

For more information, visit Italian Innovation Factory.