On 25th June 2026, as we officially concluded the 1st Blended Edition of the Entrepreneurship Network Workshop, organized by the Entrepreneurship Academy of the ARIES Incubator, we had the pleasure to announce the startup ideas and innovation that will move forward with ARIES Incubator.
This first attempt of our Entrepreneurship Network Workshop successfully brought together 36 participants from ACE²-EU Alliance institutions for a dynamic programme of keynote speeches, interactive sessions, and networking. The event marked a milestone in blending entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration across the alliance, providing participants with practical tools, inspiration, and connections to advance their entrepreneurial journeys.
While 10 startup ideas were initially presented, 6 teams fulfilled the final requirements and showed their commitment to continued participation. These 6 startups now form the 2026 cohort of the ARIES Incubator and will receive tailored support to turn their ideas into impact.
The 2026 ARIES Incubator Cohort: Meet the Startups
Below are the 6 startup teams selected to move forward with the ARIES Incubator. Each team demonstrated innovation, feasibility, and a strong commitment to developing their ideas within the ACE²-EU ecosystem.
- LE TREN D’OR by Unax Miranda García (CEO), Fernando Ceberio Sainz de Rozas, Raúl Miranda Miguel, Nerea García Puch – all from University Francisco de Vitoria UFV, Spain
Le Tren D’Or transforms the Madrid–Paris rail journey into a luxury travel experience combining fine dining, culture, and entertainment. Their focus is on Experiential Tourism Industry, with alignment to Sustainable Science & Innovations ARC.
- Menova Lab by Barbara Cano (Founder, University Francisco de Vitoria UFV, Spain)
Menova transforms menstrual blood into an ethical, traceable stem cell source for research through an integrated collection, tracking, and sample-processing platform. Menova Lab’s focus is on BioTech Industry with the alignment to both Digital Transformation and Health & Wellbeing ARCs.
- Hacking Bridge by Team Members: Sandra Milan (Co-founder, University Francisco de Vitoria UFV, Spain), Maria Fernandez (Co-founder, University Francisco de Vitoria UFV, Spain), Brahim Moufakir (Lietuvos inžinerijos kolegija HEI, Lithuania Country Ambassador), André Afonso Lourenço (Instituto Politécnico de Santarém, Portugal Country Ambassador)
Hacking Bridge connects NGOs, students, and companies through structured social-impact hackathons that turn real-world challenges into validated, implementation-ready solutions. They are a social innovation in alignment with both Sustainable Science & Innovations and Health & Wellbeing ARCs.
- Rolesn.app by Marian Valeriu Bican (Cofounder, University Constantin Brâncusi Târgu – Roménia)
Rolens helps service-based businesses streamline bookings and grow their client base with customizable online appointment scheduling pages. With the industry being on Software as a Service (SaaS), the startup solution is in alignment with Digital Transformation ARC.
- MATCHIQ by Pouriya Najafi-sarpiri (Founder, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, Austria)
MatchIQ uses AI, psychological assessments, and behavioral profiling to match entrepreneurs with compatible co-founders based on skills, personality, and shared vision. MATCHIQ has the industry focus in HR Tech with alignment to both Digital Transformation and Health & Wellbeing ARCs.
- Studdy by Tohidul Islam Tareq (Founder, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Germany)
AI Study Companion that helps students plan, study, stay accountable, feel motivated and prepared for careers. The industry focus is being EdTech, the Studdy will contribute to the advancement of Digital Transformation and Health & Wellbeing in alignment with both ARCs.
Disclaimer: The startups presented above are not listed in any particular order.
The 6 selected startups will receive a needs-based and inclusive support model with ACE²-EU Alliance partners to collaboratively identify tailored support opportunities for each team , including:
- Mentorship and Expert Guidance – Access to experienced mentors and industry experts.
- Networking Opportunities – Introductions to mentors, ecosystem actors, and potential collaborators across the alliance.
- Institutional Resources – Access to facilities, labs, and incubation environments at partner universities.
- Collaboration Platforms – Opportunities to connect with peers, researchers, and innovators across the ACE²-EU network.
This approach ensures that every participating startup is considered for further development opportunities, fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship without borders.
In addition to ongoing support, these startups will gain future visibility through:
- Annual Output Catalogue – Featured in the 1st Catalogue (D3.3)
- Social Media Spotlights – Highlighted across ACE²-EU channels (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook)
- Website Features – Profiled in ACE²-EU articles and updates
Looking Ahead: Building a Future of Innovation
The 1st Blended Edition of the Entrepreneurship Network Workshop was just the beginning. With valuable lessons learned and a strong cohort of startups moving forward, the ARIES Incubator is committed to refining its approach, fostering growth, and turning ideas into impact.
As we continue to strengthen our community, we look forward to supporting students, researchers, and innovators in their entrepreneurial journeys, both professionally and personally. Together, we are building a future where innovation thrives, and entrepreneurship knows no borders.
Stay tuned for updates on the 2026 cohort’s progress and upcoming opportunities with the ARIES Incubator!