Venture building program

Venture Leavening

A selective pre-incubation program for early teams ready to test market signals, shape a first business model and reach May Demo Day with a clearer, stronger pitch narrative.

Next call 2027
📍 Pisa, Italy · hybrid 🎯 February/March to May 🏁 Demo Day in May
Built for research spin-outs, early founders and pre-seed teams who need evidence, sharper positioning and a more credible first investor or partner narrative.
Venture Leavening illustration
Cohort
Early-stage
Research spin-outs
Early founders
TRL 2–4
Approach
Evidence-driven
Mentoring
Experiments
Demo Day
Why it matters

Built for measurable early progress

Venture Leavening helps early teams turn promising ideas into usable market evidence, a stronger business model foundation and a clearer story for Demo Day.

Validation
Real signals

Test assumptions through lightweight experiments and early market feedback.

Model
Stronger direction

Build a first business model draft with clearer ICP and value proposition.

Pitch
Better readiness

Improve narrative, public speaking and delivery ahead of May Demo Day.

Program

What the program delivers

A focused path combining expert input, mentor guidance and guided execution across a short pre-incubation cycle.

What you build
Core outputs
  • Signal evidence from early experiments
  • First business model draft
  • Clearer value proposition and ICP
  • Pitch narrative for Demo Day
Who it is for
Selected cohort
  • Research spin-outs
  • Early technical founders
  • Pre-seed teams
  • Teams at TRL 2–4
What guides you
Focused modules
  • Pretotyping and market signals
  • Business model fundamentals
  • Public speaking
  • Pitching and rehearsal
Timeline

February/March to May

A structured progression from market signals and business model work to communication, pitching and final Demo Day preparation.

March
Signals

Pretotyping, market signals and early evidence gathering.

April
Model

Business model work, ICP definition and value proposition shaping.

May
Communication

Public speaking, storytelling and message clarity.

May
Pitching

Pitch structure, delivery practice and investor-facing narrative.

May
Demo Day

Final presentation with a stronger story, clearer evidence and better confidence.

Commitment
Flexible hours

Hours can vary by module, but the goal remains measurable progress by May.

Application

Apply to Venture Leavening

Next cohort: 2027.

Application
Next call 2027

The next Venture Leavening cohort will open in 2027 for early-stage teams seeking faster validation and stronger Demo Day preparation.

Hybrid Ends in May Demo Day
Selection
Selection criteria
  • Teams at TRL 2–4
  • Pre-seed or research spin-out stage
  • Willingness to test assumptions
  • Commitment to measurable progress by May
Tip: Be ready to explain the key assumptions you want to validate and the signals you need before Demo Day.