The initiative has been developed thanks to collaboration with leading Italian academic institutions: the Department of Management, Information and Production Engineering at the University of Bergamo, the Department of Information Engineering at the University of Brescia and LIUC – Carlo Cattaneo University (School of Industrial Engineering).
An ecosystem that brings together industry, education and research
Digital Industries World is an association that brings together companies, institutions and non-profit organisations active in the world of industry and manufacturing, with a strong specialisation in machine construction. Its members include organisations such as Fondazione POLIMI, Amafond and UCIMU.
The association promotes industrial innovation through initiatives, events, training projects and market research activities, fostering dialogue between universities and the manufacturing sector.
From its origins to today: a constantly evolving contest
Launched in 2020, the Digital Industry Contest was initially aimed at a limited number of Management Engineering students, with a six-month project. Over time, the contest has expanded to include new courses of study and different universities, becoming a structured and recognised initiative dedicated in particular to Generation Z.
In 2026, the contest reached its fifth edition, confirming the growing interest of students, teachers and companies in the sector.
The 2026 edition: project, training and contact with businesses
The new edition of the Digital Industry Contest will take place from the end of February to June 2026. Students, organised into groups, will be asked to develop a project idea consistent with Industry 4.0 themes.
The programme includes:
•training sessions on Siemens software to strengthen digital skills;
•company visits in line with the project objectives;
•a training experience that integrates theory, technological tools and direct contact with the industrial world.
The final event at the MADE Competence Centre
The projects developed will be presented during the final event, which will be held at the MADE Competence Centre, organised by the Manufacturing Group (School of Management).
The projects will be evaluated by a committee composed of:
•professors from the Politecnico di Milano and supporting Universities;
•representatives from companies in the industrial sector.
Prizes and opportunities for students
The winning groups will receive:
•an Amazon voucher;
•the opportunity to undertake an internship at a company, transforming the contest into a concrete opportunity for professional integration.
The Indsutry 4.0 Student Contest 2026 thus confirms its status as a strategic initiative for the development of digital skills, dialogue between universities and businesses, and the training of future industry professionals.
For further information and to register, visit: https://digital-industries.academy
