welcome to redzoneredzone

A high-tech hub for startups in materials science.
A tailored program for scientists, engineers and inventors.
A new way to grow your deep-tech innovations.

a startup program by

SAES logo

DID YOU KNOW?

Materials have always marked the evolution of mankind, rising civilizations from the Stone to the current Carbon Age.
They set the basis for arts and technologies, and paved the way to an interconnected world through the Steel Revolution and the Silicon Era.

Today, Advanced Materials are key to disrupt entire industries, to sustain the development of humanity and a huge, necessary opportunity to save our Planet.

SAES is fully committed to this vision, and RedZone is how we embrace innovation openly. We aim to develop the materials of tomorrow, side-by-side with the most brilliant startups.

LET'S MAKE AN IMPACT

DO IT TOGETHER

APPLY NOW

ARE YOU INNOVATING IN THESE FIELDS?

Cosmetic icon
COSMETICS
SOLUTIONS

Development and characterization of formulations for cosmetic applications

Packaging Icon
ADVANCED
PACKAGING

Packaging solutions with preservation function and capability

Sensor Icon
SENSING
MATERIALS

Sensors with
chemical active components

Functional Additives Icon
FUNCTIONAL ADDITIVES

Innovative additives with specific functions

Bio Materials Icon
bio
materials

Advanced natural materials as Bio-degradable, Bio-based, Bio-inspired, Bio-mimetic

DISCOVER MORE

SMART
PACKAGING

Materials and additives for active and intelligent packaging


Bio-polymers, paper, antimicrobial, antioxidants, indicators and biotech based solutions

COSMETICS
SOLUTIONS

Active ingredients and delivery systems from upcycling and biotechnologies

Probiotics, enzymes and active principles for cosmetic and cosmeceutical applications

CARBON CAPTURE
MATERIALS

Active materials for CO2 capture and/or sequestration

Including adsorbers, biomaterials and biotech based solutions.

SENSING & FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS

Materials with sensing capabilities and advanced functional properties

Including 2D metamaterials, green and bio-based solutions

ADVANCED
MEMBRANES

Polymeric based mixed-matrix membranes

for H2 production, fuelcells, CO2 separation, medtech, water and air purification
APPLY NOW

THE PROGRAM

1st 1st phase

DURATION
03_months
OBJECTIVE
Proof of concept or Initial MVP
  • GRANT 25K€
  • PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT 10h
  • OPEN LABS 100h

2nd phase

DURATION
06|12_months
OBJECTIVE
Launchable MVP in partnership with SAES
  • INVESTMENT 50/80K€
  • PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT 20h
  • OPEN LABS 300h

THE PROGRAM

1ST PHASE

Duration

3 months

Objective

PoC or Initial MVP

25K €

Grant

10 hours

Professional Support

100 hours

Open Labs

2ND PHASE

Duration

6-12 months

Objective

MVP in partnership with SAES

50-80K €

Grant

20 hours

Professional Support

300 hours

Open Labs

HOW TO APPLY

01

ONLINE
FORM

Apply on our website and tell us about you, your disruptive idea and its feasible applications.

02

1st
SELECTION

We will carefully evaluate the proposals and select the most interesting and scalable solutions.

03

INTERVIEW

Let's take a deep dive into your ideas.

Be ready to pitch!

04

WINNERS DECLARATIONS

Selected winners to sign an agreement and get ready to work with us.

05

PROJECT
DEFINITION

Before getting our hands dirty, we will define a valuable and customized win-win project.

06

PROGRAM
START

Welcome in the RedZone!
Let's start innovating together in our Open Labs in Milan.

APPLY NOW
STEP_001

ONLINE
FORM

let us know who you are, how your innovation will change the World and what are you looking for in the next year.

STEP_002

1st
SELECTION

We will carefully select the most interesting and fitting solutions.

STEP_003

INTERVIEW

Let's deep dive into your ideas, let's understand how we can drive change.
Be ready to pitch!

STEP_004

FINAL
SELECTION

Selected startups will have access to our RedZone acceleration program.

STEP_005

PROJECT
DEFINITION

Together we will define a meaningful and feasible project to be carried out during the program.

STEP_006

PROGRAM
START

RedZone starts!
Enjoy the journey!

THE PROGRAM

the program

1st phase

DURATION 03_months

OBJECTIVE Proof of concept or Initial MVP

Benefits

2nd phase

DURATION 06|12_months

OBJECTIVE LAUNCHABLE MVP in partnership with SAES

Benefits

1st phase

DURATION 03_months

OBJECTIVE Proof of concept or Initial MVP

Benefits

2nd phase

DURATION 06|12_months

OBJECTIVE LAUNCHABLE MVP in partnership with SAES

Benefits

1st phase

DURATION 03_months

OBJECTIVE Proof of concept or Initial MVP

BENEFITS
GRANT 25K€
OPEN LABS 100 H
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT 10 H

2nd phase

DURATION 06|12_months

OBJECTIVE LAUNCHABLE MVP in partnership with SAES

BENEFITS
GRANT 50/80K €
OPEN LABS 300 H
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT 20 H
1 month

APPLICATION

call windows open every trimester

1 month

SELECTION

and project definition

3 months

PHASE 1

POC

6 - 12 months

PHASE 2

MVP

long term

AGREEMENT

-client-supplier
- co-development
- contract manufacturing
- joint venturing
- capital investment

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

01
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Based on Advanced Materials or their application.
Patented or to be patented.
Knowledge intensive.

02
EARLY STAGE STARTUPS

Pre Seed / Seed Stage.
Initial Market Traction.
TRL 3 to 6.

03
VALUABLE BUSINESSES

You solve a real customer problem, in a growing market, with a scalable and sustainable business model.

04
BASED IN EUROPE

We are looking for startups located in all Europe and Israel, constituted as a Limited Companies when the Program starts.

DISCOVER OUR CALL

THE OPEN LABS

Startups will have access to SAES' Open Lab, the heart of more than 3.300 sqm of
state-of-the-art chemical and material science laboratories.

DISCOVER THE LABS

PARTNERS

INNOVATING FOR OUR FUTURE

SAES and RedZone are committed to provide a positive impact through innovation in materials science. Our aim is to support startups developing solutions which share with us a clear vision about the future of our planet.

the areas