Start Cup Toscana 2025, innovation returns to the spotlight in Pisa. The final outcome of the regional competition: third place for MAGYS DRIVE
The regional competition was won by Lachesis Bio, a project by the Scuola Normale Superiore that combines AI and biology to combat age-related diseases. Third place to MAGYS DRIVE, a project by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna for a new generation of mechatronic transmissions for motion transfer.
On the morning of Thursday 23 October, the award ceremony for the Start Cup Toscana 2025 was held at the Le Benedettine Conference Centre of the University of Pisa. This competition promotes the best highly innovative business ideas arising from scientific, technological, social and humanistic research in Tuscany. Promoted and funded by the Tuscany Region as part of the Giovanisì project, the Start Cup represents the regional phase of the National Innovation Award (PNI). The 2025 edition was organised by the University of Pisa, through its Research and Knowledge Enhancement Department, in collaboration with the Regional Office for Technology Transfer of the Tuscany Region.
The podium of the 2025 Start Cup
First place went to Lachesis Bio, a project by the Scuola Normale Superiore: an idea that combines the potential of artificial intelligence with the biology of ageing, creating an innovative drug discovery platform designed to tackle age-related diseases. Second place went to NSight Dynamics | Human Through Data, from the University of Florence, for the development of a new optical biosensor that is economical and scalable, capable of diagnosing diseases quickly, non-invasively and with high sensitivity through the molecular analysis of key biological fluids.
Third place went to MAGYS DRIVE, from the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, with an idea for a mechanical reducer based on magnetic technology: a highly efficient system that allows significant energy savings and promotes sustainability in industrial robotic applications.
An honourable mention went to MuonLab, from the University of Florence, which proposed a muographic imaging project for non-invasive investigations.
The top three winners will receive cash prizes of €5,000, €3,000 and €2,000, provided by the Tuscany Region, and will participate – together with the project that received the honourable mention – in the national final of the National Innovation Award - PNI 2025, scheduled to take place in Ferrara on 4 and 5 December, where they will represent Tuscany alongside the other winning projects.
MAGYS DRIVE: The new era of mechanical transmissions is magnetic
MAGYS DRIVE, the entrepreneurial project of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, which won third place in the Start Cup, introduces a new concept of mechanical transmission based on magnetic technology. The result is an innovative, highly efficient system capable of guaranteeing significant energy savings in numerous applications, with a particular focus on industrial and collaborative robotics. The absence of lubricants (oil-free), quietness, high precision of operation, and total sensorisation contribute to making the entire process more advantageous and sustainable.
The project is based on a multidisciplinary team composed of Andrea Baldoni, Andrea Pergolini, Emilio Trigili, and Mary Gianfreda, supported by mentors and scientific advisors with long experience in the field.
The development of the MAGYS DRIVE product, which originated at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, was partly supported by funding from RoboIT, the National Technology Transfer Hub for Robotics and Automation, promoted by CDP Venture Capital SGR and Pariter Partners Srl.
Start Cup special mentions
In addition to the three main winners, the jury awarded the special mentions provided for by the Regional Office for Technology Transfer of the Tuscany Region:
- “Social Innovation” Award – for the best social innovation project: Onaya Biotech – UNIPI;
- “Female Entrepreneurship” Award – for the best business project with a female majority: Light On Mechanobiology – UNIFI;
- Climate Change Award – for the best business project with an impact on climate change: BIOTRONIKA from the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (propeller-less robot fish that makes underwater inspections frequent, safe and low-impact, with on-board AI and standardised data).
Special prizes offered by the sponsors were also awarded:
- Polo Tecnologico di Navacchio – “Startup Booster” programme for BIOTRONIKA – SSSUP;
- Studio Rubino & Partners – free intellectual property consultancy for Onaya Biotech – UNIPI;
- Società Addì – strategic innovation audit for MuonLab - UNIFI;
- Studio MM – support for company formation and assistance in negotiations with investors for Onaya Biotech – UNIPI.
