We believe in building the companies of tomorrow from the discoveries of today.
TEF was born to help solve a structural market failure: the low conversion rate between research and ventures. We are a non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting deep tech researchers and founders through their journey, from lab to market, and young entrepreneurs as they grow into founders.
From Idea to Impact
TEF starts nurturing ideas early, when they are still nascent and fragile; our PhD and Postdoc DeepTech Fellowships fund breakthrough research and support researchers in their journey.
TEF Researchers benefit from a competitive scholarship and personalized mentorship to support them in their research efforts and/or entrepreneurial journeys, whichever they choose to follow. Also, TEF Researchers benefit from engaging with the wider entrepreneurial TEF community of researchers from different fields and founders. TEF Fellowhips are available to Bocconi and PoliMi’s candidates through the Universities.
TEF Ignition is a 7-week program for students from Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi University who want to start their entrepreneurial journey.
You’ll receive a budget to test your idea, access to online training, and support from experienced mentors. If you’re serious about trying, this is where you start. Applications open on September 1st, 2025.
TEF has partnered with Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), a global nonprofit that accelerates the growth of seed-stage science and technology companies through a structured mentorship program.
CDL-Milan, launched in partnership with Tech Europe Foundation (TEF), Bocconi University, and Politecnico di Milano, hosts an Advanced Manufacturing stream and participates in CDL’s global Space stream.
Ventures are guided through four objective-setting sessions from October to April, where they benefit from the experience of world-class entrepreneurs, scientists, and investors.
Stay Tuned: Program Coming Soon
Our focus
areas
Parco dei gasometri
di Milano Bovisa
Designed by Renzo Piano, Parco dei Gasometri is an initiative from Politecnico di Milano where TEF will find its home: 30,000 sqm campus within a wider 100,000 sqm tech district with 22 hectares of green space.
Thanks to our Founding University Politecnico di Milano TEF members will be able to access:
Have a question or want to get in touch?
For any kind of enquiry, fill the form below
Tech Europe Foundation
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32
20133 Milan, Italy
CF 97968420154
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Tech Europe Foundation
Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32
20133 Milan, Italy
CF 97968420154