Call For Innovation
Design the Sustainable
Future of Manufacturing
Become an Innovation Partner of Philip Morris
Program
Philip Morris Manufacturing & Technology Bologna, through the Philip Morris Institute for Manufacturing Competences (IMC) in partnership with Almacube, is looking for innovative technologies and solutions applicable to the industrial, manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 sectors.
The Call for Innovation offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with Philip Morris, apply your solution to industrial and manufacturing processes, advance the maturity level of your technology, and position your company as a qualified supplier to a global Group.
After an initial selection and scouting phase, the three selected Innovation Partners will take part in a co-design phase working closely with the Philip Morris team. Each partner will receive a €7,000 grant to cover travel and participation expenses for on-site activities*.
At the end of this phase, Philip Morris may decide, based on the achieved results, to fund a Proof of Concept.
*The grant is intended to cover travel and accommodation costs related to in-person activities.
Why Apply?
Showcase your technology and its potential to Philip Morris experts eager to discover cutting-edge industrial innovations ready to shape the factories of the future.
Co-design the integration of your solution side by side with a potential client, supported by experienced innovation coaches through a structured and collaborative process.
Turn your ideas from the co-design phase into a business proposal for the implementation of a Proof of Concept within Philip Morris’s processes.
Test and validate your technology within Philip Morris’s plants and processes, accelerating its development and technological maturity in a real industrial environment.
Timeline
PHASE 1: APPLICATION
& SELECTION
APPLICATION
November – January 2026
SELECTION
January 2026
PHASE 2: Co-Design PROGRAM
DEEP DIVE
2 days in person from February 16 to 18, 2026 | Location: Italy, Bologna – Philip Morris MTB
CUSTOMIZED PoC PROPOSAL
February – March 2026
One 2-hour remote meeting per week for 4 weeks
Weekly follow-up meetings held remotely
INNOVATION DAY
March 2026
Presentation of projects and PoC proposals to the company’s managers
Hybrid activity (in-person or remote) | Location: Italy, Bologna – Philip Morris MTB
PHASE 3: Proof of Concept
(subject to Philip Morris’s evaluation)
From March 2026
How to Participate
If you have developed solutions or technologies aligned with the focus areas described in the Challenges, complete the application form by clicking the “Apply Now” button.
You will be asked to provide information about your company, present your technological solution, and upload any supporting materials.
The deadline to submit your application is January 4, 2026 (11:59 PM CET).
Previous Editions
Over the years, Design the Sustainable Future of Manufacturing has engaged more than 300 startups from around the world, promoting technological solutions to make manufacturing processes more sustainable, intelligent, and human-centered.
Submit Your Application
Collaborate with Philip Morris and be part of the innovation driving Industry 4.0.