In the ICT category A prestigious achievement for MuonLab, a spin‑off of the University of Florence and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics, at the 23rd edition of the National Innovation Award (Premio Nazionale per l’Innovazione - PNI), Italy’s largest business plan competition dedicated to startups born from scientific research. The young company, specialized in advanced muographic imaging solutions, won the First ICT Prize worth 25,000 euros, along with two major recognitions: the Special CDP Venture Award and the Special Search On – We Make Future Award.Selected among the 76 finalists from the 17 regional Start Cups and evaluated by a jury of experts from the entrepreneurial, research, and venture capital sectors, MuonLab was recognized for the high technological and social impact of its applications. Muon imaging, or muography, is a non‑invasive investigation technique that uses atmospheric muons—particles generated by cosmic rays—to obtain 2D and 3D images of the internal structure of very large or hard‑to‑access objects. By analyzing how muon trajectories are absorbed or deflected by the material they pass through, muography makes it possible to measure the internal density of structures such as volcanoes, pyramids, dams, or containers, in a way similar to an X‑ray but without relying on artificial radiation sources.The team — which had already distinguished itself at the 2025 Start Cup Toscana, where it received an honorable mention — has developed solutions capable of performing densitometric analyses on structures ranging in thickness from a few centimeters to several hundred meters, providing innovative and sustainable support in strategic sectors: from the safety of dams, steel plants, and critical infrastructure to the protection of archaeological sites, as well as the responsible management of mining activities and civil protection.“The three awards highlight the significance of the project both in terms of digital innovation and in its access to capital markets, as well as in its cutting‑edge applications for industry and society,” emphasizes Marco Pierini, vice‑rector for Technology Transfer, Cultural Activities, and Social Impact.The awarding of the Special CDP Prize will enable MuonLab to follow an accelerated path toward venture‑capital readiness, while the Special Search On Prize confirms the startup’s ability to envision the future of technology and data.“The result achieved at PNI 2025,” says rector Alessandra Petrucci, “rewards a model of technology transfer that combines outstanding scientific research with entrepreneurial capability, strengthening the role of the University of Florence and INFN in developing high‑impact solutions for sustainability and safety.” Published on: December 5th, 2025