From May 11 to 16, MIND Innovation Week 2026 will take place, the fourth edition of the annual festival that brings events and initiatives dedicated to innovation and the major challenges of our time to MIND

This year’s theme is “The origin of ideas”, drawing attention to the origins of innovation processes and to the ability to transform insights, expertise, and relationships into real-world solutions.

Bio4Dreams, together with several organizations from its network, will also take part in the initiative with a series of events. They are listed below:

• 12/05, 10:00–11:30 | Bridging Innovation Ecosystems: Italy–Estonia Healthtech Startup Showcase
• 12/05, 10:30–12:30 | I giovani ricercatori come motore di innovazione: un ponte tra ricerca, industria e trasferimento tecnologico
• 12/05, 14:00–15:30 | Dalla meccatronica alle Life Sciences: la collaborazione ROLD–Bio4Dreams in BEEP Factory
• 14/05, 11:00–13:00 | Biodiversità in azione: innovazione, impatto e nuove alleanze per il futuro

📅 May 12

Bridging Innovation Ecosystems: Italy–Estonia Healthtech Startup Showcase

An event dedicated to dialogue between the Italian and Estonian innovation ecosystems, promoted by Bio4Dreams and Tehnopol, an Estonian incubator.

With a focus on healthtech, medtech, digital health, and green tech, the event will feature eight selected startups from the two countries.

For Italy, the following will participate:

• Evotion, developing wearable devices for monitoring biometric parameters in children;
• Simplifica, developing AI- and machine learning-based solutions for predictive healthcare data analysis;
• WonderGene, developing a portable genetic laboratory for applications in the agrifood sector;
• Nantoo, developing an innovative system to transform urban leaves into resources for new high-value sustainable materials.

For Estonia, the following will participate:

• Muun Health, developing a microneedle wearable sensor for real-time monitoring of female hormones;
• ExcelTech, developing a platform for the early detection and prevention of diabetic foot;
• Asvel, developing AI-based robotic endoscopy systems for minimally invasive proceduresoffering an AI-based app for personalized pelvic floor care, with targeted programs and specialist support;
• Evie Health, offering an AI-based app for personalized pelvic floor care, with targeted programs and specialist support.

📅 When: 12/05 – 10:00–11:30 (Italian time)
📍 Where: online
✍️ How to participate: join the webinar through this link
🔗 Find out more

Young researchers as a driver of innovation: a bridge between research, industry, and technology transfer

Bio4Dreams is co-organizer of the event promoted by the University of Milan, dedicated to the role of young researchers in innovation and technology transfer processes.

The event will focus on the experiences of several participants in the Seed4Innovation project, coming from four key areas of the University’s research activity — Life Science & Healthcare, Agrifood & Sustainability, Manufacturing & Digital, Social Sciences & Humanities — to show how research, while rooted in fundamental science, can open up to applied innovation through engagement with real needs, emerging markets, and reference communities.

Through testimonials and concrete case studies, the event will offer insight into the role of young researchers as catalysts for innovation, capable of transforming scientific results into new paths of development and collaboration.

📅 When: 12/05, 10:30–12:30
📍 Where: Cascina Triulza – Social Innovation Academy
✍️ How to participate: register through this link
🔗 Find out more

From mechatronics to Life Sciences: the ROLD–Bio4Dreams collaboration in BEEP Factory

An event organized by Bio4Dreams and ROLD to present a successful case of collaboration between the industrial world and the Life Sciences sector.

The event will open with a guided tour of RLab, ROLD’s innovation and applied research center, with a focus on engineering activities and the tools used in prototype development.

This will be followed by a presentation of the journey that led to the creation of BEEP Factory, the first innovative startup created by two MIND tenants and specialized in biomedical prototyping.

Among the case studies presented will also be WonderGene, as a success story of a prototyping pathway that led to the development of its portable laboratory for genetic analysis.

The event will also be an opportunity to present Bio4Dreams SharedLabs, shared research laboratories organized by function, where startups can develop and validate their innovative ideas.

📅 When: 12/05, 14:00–15:30
📍 Where: ROLD premises and, afterwards, Bio4Dreams premises
✍️ How to participate: register through this link
🔗 Find out more

📅 May 14

Biodiversity in action: innovation, impact, and new alliances for the future

Bio4Dreams, in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Future Center – NBFC and Federated Innovation @MIND, is organizing an open discussion involving startups, research, companies, and key players in the innovation ecosystem.

The event is designed to highlight experiences, perspectives, and opportunities that connect sustainability, technology transfer, applied innovation, and ESG criteria.

It will provide a space for dialogue and shared insights on the role of biodiversity as a concrete driver of development in the Life Sciences, highlighting business projects, startups, and new potential high-value development paths for local territories.

📅 When: 14/05, 11:00–13:00
📍 Where: Sala Atena P1, HQ Bio4Dreams / online
✍️ How to participate:

• In person: registration is required through this dedicated form
• Online: join through this link

🔗 Find out more

Other scheduled contributions

During the week, other organizations from the Bio4Dreams network will also take part in events included in the MIND Innovation Week program.

Among them, on May 12, ScienceUP will participate in the event “Arte e scienza: una sfida aperta”, promoted by Valore Italia and dedicated to the relationship between scientific research, diagnostic imaging, and the enhancement of artistic heritage.