How to participate

All innovative organizations – including startups, SMEs, and established companies – offering technologies aligned with the focus areas described as “Challenges” are eligible to apply.
To participate, applicants must read and accept the full Program Regulations, available at the link below.
The only way to apply is by completing the online application form via the “Apply Now” button no later than January 4, 2026.

View the Regulations

2023 | First edition

Over 123 startups from 24 countries took part in the first edition of the Call for Innovation “Design the Sustainable Future of Manufacturing”. The goal: to make manufacturing processes more sustainable and to improve well-being in the workplace.
The challenges addressed key topics such as: Energy efficiency and resource management, Noise management and employee well-being, Circular economy and industrial waste recovery.

2024 | Second edition

Over 178 startups from 34 countries took part in the second edition of the Call for Innovation “Design the Sustainable Future of Manufacturing”, promoted by Philip Morris International through the Philip Morris Institute for Manufacturing Competences (IMC) and in collaboration with Almacube. The goal: to make industrial production and organizational processes more sustainable and intelligent.
The challenges focused on key Industry 4.0 topics:
Reduction of energy and water consumption, Final product quality control, Smart internal services, Training through digital tools.

FAQS

It is an initiative organized by Philip Morris Manufacturing & Technology Bologna through the Philip Morris Institute for Manufacturing Competences (IMC), in collaboration with Almacube, aimed at selecting and collaborating with organizations developing innovative solutions aligned with the focus areas described as “Challenges.”

Companies, innovative SMEs, startups, and formally established spin-offs operating in the industrial and manufacturing sectors with innovative solutions, as well as organizations not yet active in these sectors but with technologies that could be applied to them. All individual participants must be 18 years of age or older.

You must carefully read the Regulations and then create a profile on the portal by clicking the “Apply Now” button at the top right of the page. After that, follow the online procedure (completing the application form) to submit your company’s participation request.


The initiative consists of two main phases: Application & Selection and the Co-Design Program.
In the first phase, participants submit their project and, if selected, take part in a Pitching Session before a jury composed of representatives from the Philip Morris Group and its partners.
In the second phase, the selected organizations join the Co-Design Program, working closely with professionals from the Philip Morris IMC. The full activity schedule is available in the “Program” section of this website.

No, the initiative is completely free of charge and equity-free.
In addition, companies selected to participate in the Co-Design Program will receive a €7,000 grant to cover travel expenses related to in-person activities.

The program does not aim to create new intellectual property rights (“New IP”), but rather to assess the technical feasibility and potential interest for collaboration between Philip Morris and one or more startups, spin-offs, or companies.
All confidential information and existing intellectual property rights—both from Philip Morris and from participating companies—will be fully respected.

Participants in the Co-Design phase will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
Any new IP that may be generated by startups, spin-offs, or companies during the initiative, based on the confidential information shared, will be subject to a specific agreement between the Parties, taking into account the interests of both Philip Morris and the participating organizations.For more information, please refer to Article 7 of the Regulations

Submit Your Application

Collaborate with Philip Morris and be part of the innovation driving Industry 4.0.

Apply now