The dedicated AI Accelerator
The Leading European Artificial Intelligence Accelerator based in Italy
Startups in the pre-seed and seed stages will receive funding and ongoing support from partners of the accelerator, in a process that will help them to establish their business models.
The best teams will have access to additional funding directly and through the network of Zest, the program promoters and Partners.
Magic Mind is the leading European AI (Artificial Intelligence) accelerator intended to spearhead the development of Artificial Intelligence solutions and start-ups
Our vision is to create the European Reference point for Artificial Intelligence.
Creating a Full cycle Platform that will enhance the Italian position in the AI Market fostering innovation and seeding a diverse network of cutting-edge AI businesses with huge, transformative potential, bringing into the fold deep technical expertise that will boost the capabilities of its members and bring new products and services to the global markets.
About the program
What are we looking for?
A leading European AI accelerator intended to spearhead the development and commercialisation of Artificial Intelligence solutions and start-ups
Become the Reference Point for AI bringing into the fold deep technical expertise that will boost the capabilities of its members and bring new products and services to the global markets
Create a Full cycle Platform that will enhance the Italian position in the AI Market fostering innovation and seeding a diverse network of cutting-edge AI businesses with huge, transformative potential
We are here to grow together.
Magic Mind Acceleration provides selected startups with 6 pillars:
Investment
Up to 220K Euros
Facilities
20+ workstations in the heart of Milan
Market Access
Strategic deep dive round table with Program Partners (e.g., POC, Project Milestones)
Enterprise software
Robotic process automation
Smart document management
Predictive, optimization and planning systems
Customer experience, service and support
Condition monitoring, quality control and assurance systems
Healthcare
Diagnosis
Treatment
Pharma & Clinical Research
Training
Decision Making & Resources Optimization
Marketing
Content generation
Data analytics
Real time personalization
Recommender systems
Price adjusting
Cybersecurity
User behaviour analysis
Threat detection
Risk assesment & Monitoring
Incidents response
Identity and access management
Logistics and Transportation
User behaviour analysis
Threat detection
Risk assesment & Monitoring
Incidents response
Identity and access management
We are here to grow together.
Cyber Innovation Network
Is Your AI Startup Innovating in Cybersecurity?
If selected by Magic Mind, your startup could be eligible for a €50,000 grant from the Agenzia per la Cybersicurezza Nazionale (ACN).
To qualify, your startup must:
Focus on emerging technologies, innovative solutions, or scalable business models contributing to cybersecurity. Priority technologies include data science, AI, robotics, IoT, blockchain, quantum computing, and cryptography.
Be established in Italy within the past 5 years.
Be registered in the Business Registry.
Have a physical office based in Italy.
Be accepted into the Zest Magic Mind acceleration program.
Comply with individual regulatory requirements.
Stay within EU “de minimis” state aid limits.
Make sure your startup meets these criteria!
Timeline
Bootcamp
09.23.2024
Bootcamp
10.7.2024
Pitch Day
10.29.2024
Demo Day
Coming soon
Portfolio
ECOSYSTEM PARTNER
Perks
10+ Additional services sponsored by Program Partners
Support
Services and masterclasses to benefit startup growth
Guidance
E2E support on product, business, investment, mentors and more
TECHNICAL PARTNERS
FAQ
Once the program’s call has been closed, Zest will invited selected startups to present to the program’s corporate partners in five separate occasions (the so-called Bootcamps), following which we will identify a shortlist (around 25-30 start-ups) that will be invited to pitch before a jury composed of Zest and the program’s partners (the so-called Selection Day). The jury will select up to 16 start-ups to join the program. The program is made of two subsequent phases: the “Discovery” phase lasting around two months, where an in-depth assessment of the project is carried out (with reference to some relevant criteria: competences, completeness, maturity of the team, size and appeal of the reference market, product/market fit), and the “Validation” phase, lasting around two months, where the project is tested (with reference to market KPIs). At the end of the “Discovery” phase, ZEST and the Partners will select 12 start-ups among the participating start-ups to proceed with the “Validation” phase. The selected start-ups will participate in the Demo Day, the final event where they can meet investors, corporates, mentors, and press.
The program is aimed at start-ups in the MVP / prototype phase, initial market traction and scale-ups operating in one of the key sectors and segments highlighted.
You can apply even if you have not yet established your company, provided that the company is established within 2 months of joining the program.The activities of the program are organized to engage the founders a little more than one day a week, with a more intense phase in the first half of the program and more extended thereafter. The teams will also have access to co-working stations in Milan at the offices of the partners for the duration of the program.
Yes, we will invest in the 12 start-ups that enter the the program with a total sum of up to 220K euros in two tranches in which ZEST will acquire up to 10% of the share capital of the start-ups.
The initial 100K Euros will be a mix of cash and services while the rest of the capital will be tied to KPIs and milestones the startups will have to reach during and following the program.Absolutely. In fact, our involvement can be even more important at this stage, accelerating the business development of your start-up. During the program, you will have the opportunity to get in touch and explore commercial or industrial opportunities with the corporate partners of the program.
Yes, the start-ups invited to attend the Selection Day will receive the contractual terms (Term sheet and, subsequently, investment agreement) which governs the terms and conditions of their participation in the Program, the subscription of which is a prerequisite for accessing the acceleration program and be qualified as a participating start-up.
The signing of the contracts or the basic elements of the same, before the Selection Day, is a requirement to participate in the event.We will be assessing the following: the innovation and originality of the idea or approach proposed, the skills (heterogeneous and complementary) of the team, the potential and size of the target market, the use of AI technology, the presentation and presentation skills of the product / service as well as the business models.
The program includes meetings (both one-to-one and one-to-many) between the selected start-ups and the program partners with the aim of creating an opportunity to discuss respectively the innovation needs and the solutions proposed by the start-ups.
Yes. Magic Mind, in addition to investing up to € 120K in the top performers of the program, reserved the right to invest additional resources in all participating startups.
No. However, we believe it is important to actively participate in the development of the start-up for approximately six months after Demo Day. Therefore, we ask for the presence of an observer on the board of directors.
If Magic Mind completes a further investment, it reserves the right to appoint a board member.
Zest Numbers
+ 250
portfolio companies
20 years
Market experience
7
Vertical Acceleration programs managed
2
Joint Ventures
CORPORATE PARTNERS
