About Us
We believe in building the companies of tomorrow from the discoveries of today.
TEF is a non-profit foundation dedicated to fostering the creation of new tech companies by leveraging academic leadership, financial resources, and funding fundamental research in innovative sectors, with the goal of promoting entrepreneurship.
Our goal: Support 1,000 disruptive startups
Founders & Promoters
Founders
Our focus areas
Applied AI
Aerospace & Robotics
New Energy & Materials
Optics, Photonics, & Microelectronics
Life Sciences& Med-Tech
Coming soon
Food-Tech& Agri-Tech
Coming soon
Our Campus
Parco dei gasometri of Milano Bovisa
Designed by Renzo Piano at Parco dei Gasometri, TEF’s 30,000 sqm campus in Milan Bovisa is part of a 100,000 sqm tech district with 22 hectares of green space.
33K
sqm campus
100K
sqm tech district
220K
sqm green space
TEF's facilities feature:
- Europe’s largest wind tunnel
- Cutting-edge 3D printing laboratories
- Specialized energy and aerospace structures labs
- Clean rooms for semiconductor research
- State-of-the-art photonics and optics laboratories
- Advanced labs for manufacturing, mobility, and materials
- Joint research centers fostering innovation and collaboration
Our Team
Luca
Alice
Diletta
Filippo
Our Programs
TEF Ignition
TEF Ignition is an 8-week hands-on program for students from Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi University who want to turn a tech idea into something real.
You’ll get a budget to try your idea, and a clear structure to guide you from concept to pitch.
You’ll learn by doing – building, testing, and improving – with guidance from experienced founders, mentors, and professors.
If your project stands out, you’ll move on to Phase 2 with extra funding, a dedicated mentor, and the chance to win a Final Prize .
If you’re serious about trying, this is where you start.
Ready to start?
The program starts in October, applications open beginning of September. More details will be available soon – stay tuned.