Italy ranks 28th in the global startup ecosystem, climbing three spots since 2023. With over 10,000 startups and 33 cities listed in the top 1000 globally, Italy has positioned itself as a regional hub for innovation. Its strategic location, key seaports, and EU membership all play a big role in making the country a great launchpad for startups. And it’s not just unicorns driving this momentum—soonicorns are stepping up too, helping boost the economy in practical, long-term ways.
So, what exactly are unicorns and soonicorns? A unicorn is a private startup valued at over $1 billion, while a soonicorn is one that’s getting close. As of May 2025, Italy has four unicorns—up from three in 2023—and a growing list of soonicorns on their heels. This steady progress shows Italy isn’t just trying to catch up; it’s actively building a name for itself on the global startup map.
A lot of this growth is backed by rising investment, fresh talent, and better access to capital. The government, too, has played its part. Through the Smart&Start Italia program, the Ministry of Business supports young companies with funding and incentives aimed at helping them scale. It’s a clear sign that innovation is being taken seriously at the national level—not just talked about.
There’s still more to be done. But the momentum is real—and right now, unicorns and soonicorns are setting the pace. Their impact is being felt far beyond valuation numbers; they’re creating jobs, building confidence, and showing what’s possible in Italy’s startup future.
Bending Spoons offers products such as mobile apps and AI-powered technologies, serving billions of users across the globe. Still, the company isn’t slowing down. They’ve just crossed the starting line and aim to grow more.
Its portfolio includes Evernote, Remini, Meetup, komoot, StreamYard, and WeTransfer. Bending Spoons develops the technology to power them, its team invests in refining rather than simply acquiring. The company follows a growth strategy centered on acquiring underperforming digital products and integrating them into its own platform.
Bending Spoons stands out thanks to their care. Their products are crafted with care, making each easy on the eye, simple to use, and rock-solid under the hood. Moreover, the engineering is also at their core, with 50 state-of-the-art in-house technologies, and AI support. Its culture and profession are proving that Bending Spoons will continue to bloom in the future.
Engineering Ingegneria Informatica (EII) is an Italian company founded in 1980, which means it has over 40 years of experience in digital transformation. Capturing the importance of digitization, the company offers platforms, tools, frameworks for clients to modernize their operations and improve efficiency, no matter the sector.
With 40+ years presence in all market segments, EII has built a strong understanding of business needs and anticipate them by constantly exploring the evolution of technologies, including AI & data, blockchain, cloud, digital twin, security, etc. This unique forward-looking approach positions itself as a key player in the ecosystem.
In 2025, the company achieved the Top Employers Italy certification. This achievement has proved their growth progress, not only technological expertise but also a commitment to fostering a supportive work environment.
Satispay has made it easier for people to manage everyday payments. Unlike credit and debit payments, Satispay is an independent, efficient, convenient, and secure mobile payment network. Satispay allows users to make payments in physical and online stores, transfer money to friends, top up their phone credit, pay bills, make donations, buy gift cards, and save money. The goal is to bring a wide range of financial tasks into one simple app.
It puts people at the center. For Satispay, paying is a bit like saying “nice to meet you”. This mindset has led over 5.3 million people to choose Satispay for daily expenses or to exchange money in seconds. It’s very useful, convenient, and practical integrating with other utilities such as paying tax roads, postal slips, and making top-ups.
While the company is headquartered in Milan, it expanded offices in Luxembourg, and Berlin to support its growth in Europe.
Scalapay, headquartered in Milan, is a fintech company that helps shopping be more manageable. It enables customers to split their payment into three installments, whether it’s online or offline purchase. The maximum amount is up to € 1.500, with the first payment made at the time of purchase, followed by two others every four weeks.
The company places a significant focus on customer safety when purchasing, especially online. This unicorn provides customer fraud prevention and data protection services to maintain secure and safe transactions.
In 2023, Scalapay acquired Cabel IP Spa – an Italian payment institution. This acquisition helps finalize its expansion in Europe, and also supports the launch of new products and services. Partnering with big names like Nike, Pandora, Calzedonia, Decathlon, and Moschino has helped the company become a major name in the installment payment space.
Casavo, an Italian company founded in 2018, is making huge impacts on the real estate market. The company uses its “Instant Buyer” platform to help speed up and simplify the process of buying and selling homes. Sellers can instantly evaluate their properties, renovate, and then sell them again for the best price, all can be done with Casavo.
The company is putting it close to reaching unicorn status. It has grown quickly in Southern Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain. Casavo will continue its international expansion into more markets.
Do you want to save or invest money? MoneyFarm can do both in one place. Even though it isn’t a bank, your cash is securely held with trusted partners. It’s an online platform that helps users manage their money based on their goals and personal profiles with expert guidance tailored, tax-free growth, and simple, and transparent fees.
As of 2025, it operates mainly in the UK and Italy and has developed a platform-as-a-service that firms have used, like UniCredit and Poste Italiane in Italy and M&G in the UK. Since partnering with Yapily in 2020, the company has enabled a seamless investment journey for users, staying at the forefront of fintech innovation.
Cortilia is Italy's first online marketplace that offers agricultural and local food products. Through its full-stack e-commerce platform, customers can choose from over 4,500 products ranging from fruit and vegetables to the best of the sea and mountains, and many more.
What makes Cortilia unique is the development of AI-driven algorithms to fit delivery into customer’s busy schedules, making services convenient and flexible. Moreover, it aims to deliver sustainable consumption by having a guide called “Born Sustainable”. Combining the authenticity of the taste of the countryside, the uniqueness of our products, and complete and sustainable shopping, Cortilia is expected to grow more.
DoveVivo helps millions of European people find a space to live their way. It helps students and young professionals find affordable, fully furnished rooms in shared apartments. Besides primary markets such as Italy, Spain, and France, DoveVivo has expanded in over 40 cities across 6 countries with thousands of beds available.
With its extensive experience providing long- and medium-term options, the company invested in ALTIDO – one of the largest short term rental management companies In Europe. This investment leads to the creation of the largest living operating company. DoveVivo will continue to expand its reach worldwide, offering more modern, practical living spaces with comfort and community.
InnovHeart is the art of innovation, the innovation of the heart. With locations in Milan, Italy, and Newton, Massachusetts, USA, the company develops innovative medical technology. The company develops advanced medical technology called Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement systems (TMVR) to treat mitral valve disease. It’s basically a solution with minimal invasion, helping patients avoid open-heart surgery.
Their mission is to bring patients a useful therapeutic system that is suitable to replace incompetent Mitral Valves with safe, effective, and easy-to-use technology. The focused mission and strong commitment attracts several major investors. These include Genextra, Pancakes Partners, Indaco Venture Venture Partners and Grand Pharmaceutical Group Limited.
Philogen is fighting against some of the deadliest diseases through a very particular approach. It is a biotech company with offices in Italy and Switzerland that resolves the problems of finding new solutions for cancer and other serious conditions. Designing anticancer drugs that are very targeted and specific is one of their strengths due to advanced science.
Founded in Sovicille in 1996 by Giovanni Neri and Duccio Neri, Philogen is currently developing four antibody-based cancer treatments. With an over 20 years of track record, the company continues to push forward the mission to create more effective cancer therapies.
Italy’s startup ecosystem is steadily earning its place as a key player in Europe’s innovation scene. Numerous investors recognize the country's potential as an innovative leader in the region and decide to invest in promising Italian startup actors. Currently, Italy has four unicorns and 6 confirmed soonicorns, alongside many rising minicorns that show great potential, proving it can compete on the international stage.
The country’s mix of innovative companies and supportive infrastructure means its startup ecosystem will only grow stronger in the years ahead. Having ranked 28th, Italy’s startup ecosystem has already disrupted the tech industry. It’s just a starting line, just waiting for what’s next for Italian startups.
