3D-printed human skin: Bio System Lab wins the Digithon Award
The Treviso-based start-up has won the competition amongst 100 innovative companies with a patent for testing medicines and cosmetics. Boccia responds: ‘An Italian AI hub under public control’
3D-printed vascularised human skin: it was with this patent – described by the organisers as the first of its kind in the world – that the Treviso-based start-up Bio System Lab won the eleventh edition of the DigithON 2026 Award in Bisceglie, the digital marathon dedicated to innovation and start-ups.
The solution identified by Bio System Lab is well-suited to bringing innovation to in vitro testing of medicines, cosmetics and medical devices. For this reason, it was awarded the top prize – a cheque for 10,000 euros – offered by Confindustria Bari and BAT and presented in person by its president, Mario Aprile, during the closing ceremony.
Alongside the main prize, this year there is also a special award worth 5,000 euros dedicated to the youngest start-up founders, organised by the Young Entrepreneurs group of Confindustria Bari and BAT with the aim of supporting and promoting new talent in innovation. The competition saw 100 start-ups take part, with the winners selected based on the scientific committee’s assessments and votes cast via social media.
After Bio System Lab, second place went to Rbv Aqua Tech, a Milan-based start-up that has developed a proprietary sorbent material. This is capable of capturing water from the atmosphere and releasing it using only low-temperature waste heat. The primary target market for this technology is data centres specialising in artificial intelligence. Third place went to YecoAI, a start-up based in Mondovì, in the province of Cuneo. The company develops AI-first vertical solutions to make processes and services smarter, more secure and compliant, with a focus on data protection and digital sovereignty.
Further special prizes, with a total value of over 50,000 euros, were awarded and funded by the event’s sponsors and partners: Intesa Sanpaolo, Poste Italiane, EY, SIAE – Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, Telenorba, Barilla, Philip Morris Italia, Enel, Meta, Filiera ICT ITS Academy, Google, Zest, AIFI, Aulab, Bitdrome, AWS, MINT, Maldarizzi. During the awards ceremony, a special honour was also presented to the fashion designer and entrepreneur, Brunello Cucinelli.
