Andrea Giorgi
Simone Serani
Powered by Unfold Tomorrow
Build your team.
Launch your startup.
You bring the talent and commitment. We'll help you create the conditions to make it happen.Dock Startup Lab is a free, four-month program for talented people ready to explore entrepreneurship and build something new.Meet potential co-founders, develop practical skills and access the mentors, tools and connections to take your first steps as a founder.
- Founders supported
- 800+
- Startups launched
- 60+
- Awards distributed
- €300K+
- Raised by startups in our program
- €8M+
For each edition, we review more than 300 applications to identify the strongest talent who are the best fit for this journey. From these, we select 100 aspiring startup founders and equip them with the essential skills they need to begin their entrepreneurial path. You do not need to have a fully developed startup idea to apply.
Find your startup co-founders
We intentionally bring together diverse, high‑potential individuals so they can get to know each other, experiment with different collaborations, and choose the right co‑founders. We believe the most successful startups are built by complementary teams rather than solo founders, which is why team formation is at the heart of our approach.
Some of the founders who found their co-founders through the program.
Saverio Borrelli
Francesco Vingiano
Massimiliano Vitale
Alessia Lucentini
Alessia Poggi
Kaloian Gueorguiev
Renzo Carpio
Brando Rettino
Marco Tramutola
Samuele Gottofredi
Simone Cingolani
Serena Mignucci
Federico Roviglioni
Giuseppe Spinelli
Alessandro Contaldo
Pierfrancesco Mazzolini
Federico Ortenzi
and many more
Key dates
February 2027
Applications deadline
The application period closes and our team begins the process of candidates selection.
March 2027
Start of the program
The selected candidates begin the 4 month entrepreneurial program.
July 2027
Demo Day
The best teams will pitch at the Demo Day in front of the investors and jury.
Completely free for all selected participants.
How the program works
How the growth phases run across the four months of the program — from team setup to Demo Day.
01
Month 1
Build your Team and Validate the Problem
- Team skills, roles, goals and timeline
- Target customers, problem research and user journeys
- Market analysis, benchmarks and competitors
02
Month 2
Build, Measure and Learn
- Solution hypotheses and business modelling
- Prototyping, user testing and implementation
- Measure feedback, iterate and validate product fit
03
Month 3
Validate Growth and Impact
- Marketing, branding and growth experiments
- KPIs, metrics and impact indicators
- Financial modelling and growth viability
04
Month 4
Prepare for Investment
- Evidence, traction and investment readiness
- Fundraising strategy and pitch refinement
- Investor networking and scalability
Demo Day →
Format
A hybrid experience.
A real-world community.
Dock combines the flexibility of digital learning with the value of meeting people and working together in person.
Online
Online activities
Join masterclasses, mentoring sessions, expert talks and collaborative activities from wherever you are.
Rome
In-person experiences in Rome
Meet your peers, work on entrepreneurial challenges, participate in workshops and connect with the local innovation ecosystem through dedicated events and activities.
Throughout the program, we bring you face-to-face with Rome's startup community through in-person meetups at the city's most dynamic innovation hubs: SIEH, CTE, Zest, Talent Garden and PiCampus — innovation spaces at the heart of Rome's startup hub, connected to the international startup scene.
Mandatory Attendance
Participation in weekly workshops and team-building events is required. Make time to attend these activities and contribute to your team throughout the program.
Online when it works for you. Together in Rome when it matters most.
Beyond the program
Knowledge, people, tools and opportunities
Starting a company means navigating challenges that go far beyond having a promising idea. Dock gives you access to the knowledge, people, tools and opportunities that can help you move from exploration to execution.
01
Guidance from experienced professionals
Learn directly from entrepreneurs, startup founders, business leaders and industry specialists.
02
Tools, credits and exclusive partner offers
Explore exclusive discounts, free plans and startup packages, with selected benefits worth over €10,000, subject to partner conditions and eligibility.
03
Corporate connections that create opportunities
Join a community of ambitious individuals and become part of a broader network of entrepreneurs, investors, companies and innovation organisations.
Eni Gazometro · Rome
Demo Day
The journey culminates at Eni Gazometro, one of Rome's most iconic innovation landmarks, where you'll pitch to investors, industry leaders and fellow founders at Demo Day. Thanks to our partners, the best startups can win up to €40,000 in prizes to support company incorporation and growth even after the program.
Watch the highlights from the last edition of the program — and join a community of passionate startup founders.
Demo Day 2026 was supported by
Who we're looking for
Dock is for people who see entrepreneurship as an opportunity to create something of their own. We bring together talented individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives and skills, and help them turn their potential into entrepreneurial ventures.
You could be:
- A student or researcher with outstanding capabilities, fresh perspectives and the motivation to make an impact.
- A business professional looking to move beyond your current role and take the lead in creating a new venture.
- A tech enthusiast or developer interested in transforming technical expertise into innovative products and solutions.
- A second-time founder ready to tackle a new challenge.
We value people who combine curiosity, independent thinking and a strong sense of initiative with the determination to make things happen.
You don't need an established business concept or an existing founding team to join. What matters is your willingness to explore unfamiliar challenges, collaborate with others and take responsibility for turning opportunities into real projects.
Recognitions
Recognised for 3 consecutive years among the top 50 of Europe’s Leading Start-up Hubs, and top 3 in Italy, by the Financial Times and Statista. → See the FT ranking
01 / 08
Past editions were made possible thanks to:
Main Partner
Joule - Eni School of Entrepreneurship
Main Partner
TP Italy
Academic Partner
Sapienza Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub
Academic Partner
Roma Tre University
Voices from our founders
Once a Docker, always a Docker.
Once you complete the program, you become part of the Dock Alumni community. Stay connected through initiatives that keep all past participants engaged, building relationships and sharing opportunities beyond the program.
“What awaits you at Dock is a journey, where nothing is left to chance and where they firmly believe that people's enthusiasm is the right driving force to make the world we live in a better place.”
Eva“It was an amazing journey. You get the opportunity here to find your team and build your startup if you put your mind into it. They have a very supportive crew which makes the experience even better.🥳”
Hiva“A valid program scheduled according to current best practices on the market and, above all, a unique opportunity to create valuable connections that will last over time.”
Alessia“Competent mentors, a pleasant environment, and lots of practice. It helped us clarify our business model, improve our pitch, and compare ourselves with other teams. An intense but truly useful experience.”
Federico“Before participating in Dock, we knew nothing about the startup world. Now I am satisfied with the information we received, but above all with the networking we did! I would recommend it to all aspiring entrepreneurs!”
RobertaYour entrepreneurial journey starts here. The connections and opportunities can take you much further.
Any doubts, or want to see if this journey is right for you? Reach out at info@dockstartuplab.com.
As seen on
FAQ
Who can apply to Dock Startup Lab?
The program is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, students, graduates, PhD candidates and skilled professionals who want to build a startup. You should be ready to learn, collaborate and commit at least 10 hours per week. Selection focuses on talent and fit for the journey, not only on the maturity of an idea.
Do I need a fully developed startup idea or a co-founder?
No. You do not need to have a fully developed startup idea to apply, and you can apply on your own or with a co-founder. During the program, participants meet peers, explore collaborations and form teams around meaningful problems.
How are teams made up within the program?
Within 2 weeks of the start of the program, selected Dock participants are invited to form teams through team-building activities and organized events. Teams must meet the following requirements:
- Team size: a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 people, all drawn from Dock participants.
- Multidisciplinarity: no more than 2 members from the same area of study.
These requirements also apply to teams formed outside the program.
What kind of ideas are allowed?
Any kind of innovative business idea can be submitted. The program is designed for new, replicable and scalable products and services: solutions that can serve more customers and grow beyond a single project or location.
Can I participate alone or with a team?
You can apply individually or with a team. If you already have a team, every member must submit their own application. Individual applicants will have opportunities to meet potential co-founders and form a team during the program. Existing teams must meet the same team-size and multidisciplinarity requirements.
What are the selection criteria?
We consider each application in the context of the overall cohort, looking at four factors:
- Motivation: your reasons for joining, curiosity about entrepreneurship and willingness to learn, collaborate and commit the time needed to contribute to the program.
- Previous experience and skills: what you have learned through study, work, research or independent projects, and how your abilities and initiative could contribute to a founding team. Relevant potential matters, not only previous startup experience.
- Order of receipt of application: when your application is received is considered alongside the other criteria. Applying early is encouraged, but does not guarantee selection.
- Balance of disciplines: we aim for a cohort with complementary areas of study and skills, so participants can form multidisciplinary teams and learn from different perspectives.
What does the application involve?
Click “Apply now” and complete three steps: About you, Your edge and initiative, and Resilience and availability. Share your background, LinkedIn profile, experience and how you will make time for the program. If you apply with a co-founder, include their name and email. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an assessment or interview; submitting an application does not guarantee a place.
What are the phases of the program?
The four-month journey follows the Lean Startup approach:
- Month 1. Build your Team and Validate the Problem
- Team skills, roles, goals and timeline
- Target customers, problem research and user journeys
- Market analysis, benchmarks and competitors
- Month 2. Build, Measure and Learn
- Solution hypotheses and business modelling
- Prototyping, user testing and implementation
- Measure feedback, iterate and validate product fit
- Month 3. Validate Growth and Impact
- Marketing, branding and growth experiments
- KPIs, metrics and impact indicators
- Financial modelling and growth viability
- Month 4. Prepare for Investment
- Evidence, traction and investment readiness
- Fundraising strategy and pitch refinement
- Investor networking and scalability
How much time should I commit each week?
At least 10 hours per week. Plan regular time for learning sessions, customer research, team collaboration and practical work on your venture. Participation in weekly workshops and team-building events is mandatory. In the application, you can indicate whether you will use weekday time blocks, evenings, weekends, a combination of these, or reduce other commitments.
No full-time commitment required. Sessions are in English. Recordings can support your learning, but do not replace participation in mandatory activities.
Is the program online, and is there a participation fee?
The program runs primarily online, with practical masterclasses and video content you can revisit. It also includes in-person meetups with Rome’s startup community and concludes with Demo Day. Participation is completely free for selected participants, with no registration fees or tuition costs.
What is the prize?
Every edition, with the support of our partners, we make €40,000 available to the best startups.