Milan, a bustling metropolis in northern Italy, is not only known for its fashion and design but also for its thriving startup ecosystem. In recent years, the city has witnessed the emergence of several accelerators, playing a pivotal role in nurturing and supporting startups. These accelerators act as catalysts for innovation and growth, providing startups with the necessary tools, resources, and mentorship to turn their ideas into successful ventures.
Digital Magics
Official website here
Aiming to build 200 equity holdings with investments exceeding €10 million and reach a portfolio worth of €100 million by 2025, their growth strategy for the upcoming years is marked by ambitious goals. With the help of co-investors, business partners, and tech partners, they have developed a plan to establish 20 to 25 acceleration programs in order to achieve these objectives.
Since its establishment in 2003, they have established a foundation and shown a strong dedication to cooperation and offering all-inclusive assistance for creative businesses and scaleups. Their attention extends across several industries, including FinTech/InsurTech, Internet of Things, Health, and more, allowing them to spot opportunities, resolve problems, and lead businesses toward long-term success.
They serve as a key partner in Milan’s vibrant ecosystem, drawing on their vast experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm for innovation to enable entrepreneurs to expand quickly and produce exceptional value.
KEY INFORMATION
When it was founded: 2004
Location: Milan
How to apply: Apply here
Industry focus: IoT, FinTech, InsurTech, Health, Travel, Ecommerce Marketplaces, Software, Food, Transportation, AI, Industry 4.0, Blockchain
Startups funded: 72
Exits: 5
Fashion Technology Accelerator Milan
Official Website here
The Fashion Technology Accelerator is a prestigious accelerator program that helps Milanese fashion technology start-up companies.
For each firm that applies, a 40K € investment is required (in return for a 5% commission), and an additional 5% is required for the services that are a part of their acceleration program. Therefore, 10% overall in exchange for services valued at 60K € in addition to 40K € in cash.
This business program supports the fashion, luxury, and retail sectors and assists young company owners in growing their enterprises. They have a seasoned business team that supports digital technologies and offers participants business support, help tailored to their sector, skills, development possibilities & capacities, acceleration & consultation services. Artknit Studios, SEAY, Drip, DressYouCan, Penguinpass & Lone Design Club are a few of its portfolio startups.
KEY INFORMATION
When it was founded: 2013
Location: Milan
How to apply: Apply here
Industry focus: Fashion, Luxury, Retail
Startups funded: 30+
Program Length: 6months
Equity Taken: 10%
BiovelocITA
Official Website here
The leading biotech accelerator in Italy, BiovelocITA, is committed to turning ground-breaking research discoveries into successful biotech businesses. Their goal is to offer cutting-edge healthcare solutions in a range of therapeutic areas, thereby helping patients and the medical profession. A top European venture capital company with a focus on the life sciences, Sofinnova Partners, works with BiovelocITA as a strategic partner.
With years of experience and a wide network, BiovelocITA provides access to crucial networks, managerial know-how, and financial resources, allowing the creation of ground-breaking biotech companies. Their current initiatives include work on gene editing, cancer treatment, chronic inflammatory bowel illnesses, and diabetes. BiovelocITA is crucial in converting promising research into practical healthcare solutions by promoting the expansion of the biotech industry in Italy.
KEY INFORMATION
When it was founded: 2015
Location: Milan
Industry focus: Biotech, Healthcare, Sustainability
Startup Wise Guys
Official Website here
Startup Wise Guys plans accelerator programs to help SaaS-based firms in Milan’s business community. With EUR55k in funding, learning & relationship-building opportunities with top industry experts, acceleration services, coworking space, and networking opportunities with industry game changers and like-minded entrepreneurs, this 5-month business program welcomes, amplifies, and grows startup businesses. Additionally, they provide participants with access to the Startup Wise Guys alumni network, go-to-market techniques for product development, sales and marketing knowledge, funding options, and willpower.
KEY INFORMATION
When it was founded: 2012
Location: Milan
How to apply: Apply here
Industry focus: SaaS Industries
Startups funded: 30+
Program Length: 5 Months
Equity Taken: 9%
ACube
Official Website here
By combining business concepts, lean startup design thinking tools, and theory of change, ACube operates a business program that turns creative ideas into enduring enterprises. This program identifies and chooses startups, assists them in designing their businesses by giving them access to a variety of business ideas, incubation services, product development systems, design prototyping, validation services, business models, economics, acceleration services, go-to-market business strategies, growth-enabled resources, investment readiness, fundraising opportunities, and helps them make a positive impact on the industry.
KEY INFORMATION
Location: Milan
How to apply: Apply here
Industry focus: Innovative Businesses
Program Length: No Data
Equity Taken: No Data
Startupbootcamp Fashion Tech
Official Website here
Startupbootcamp Fashion Tech is a business accelerator program that motivates and equips forward-thinking businesses in the fashion technology sector to advance and thrive in the sector. Ten startups are chosen for each cohort of this three-month business program, which offers them mentorship, access to world-class business products and services, knowledge about innovation, destructive business facilities, the capacity to learn new business solutions, and guidance to become leading fashion technology startup companies.
KEY INFORMATION
Location: Milan
How to apply: Apply here
Industry focus: Fashion Technology Businesses
Investment Size: EUR900K
Program Length: 3 Months
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed
Design Tech
Official Website here
As a link between the design sector and tech entrepreneurs, Design Tech runs a design-focused innovation hub. The goal of this program is to provide creative designs that can improve people’s daily lives. This initiative supports innovation and collaborates with start-ups looking to hasten and boost their commercialization. They provide resources from Milan Innovation Districts (MIND), top-notch business counsel, access to fast prototyping tools, coworking and lab space, help on how to create an MVP, support for corporate business partners, and industry mentorship to participants.
KEY INFORMATION
Location: Milan
How to apply: Apply here
Industry: Design Businesses
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed
TIM WCAP
Official Website here
A business program conducted by TIM WCAP aims to mold the industries of the future. To startups, scaleups, and small & minority business businesses, this open innovation initiative offers collaborative business prospects.
This program’s goal is to develop cutting-edge goods and services in the markets of IoT, cloud, networks, and sustainability. Through sustainable innovation and corporate intrapreneurship, they scout and discover new startup enterprises and meet their business needs.
KEY INFORMATION
Location: Milan, Rome
How to apply: Apply
Industry: IoT, Network, Cybersecurity, Network, and Sustainable Businesses
Investment Size: Not Disclosed
Program Length: Not Disclosed
Equity Taken: Not Disclosed
G2 Startups
Official Website here
Innovation is the primary force behind social and economic progress in today’s rapidly changing world. G2 is motivated by the Open Innovation paradigm and applies it explicitly using tried-and-true methodologies and procedures, with a focus on business ecosystems.
Customers are medium- to large-sized businesses and corporate organizations that G2 helps to plan, implement, and build their own Innovative Business Ecosystem, assisting them to continuously innovate the business model, as well as by managing external innovation sources such as startups. G2 assists clients in understanding the potential opportunities and/or threats that external “forces” like mega-trends, technologies, regulators, and new players may pose to their businesses and organizations. The organization provides its clients with the following services and procedures: Innovation Advisory, Particular Open Innovation Programs, Calls for Innovation & Ideas, Hackathons, Set-up and Management of Innovation Hubs, Business Model Labs, Startup Acceleration Programs, and Corporate Venture Capital Support.
G2 focuses on:
- Assessment of external innovation, technology and trends scenarios
- Understanding the potential of Digital Transformation and related opportunities
- Development and implementation of new business models driven by open innovation, including the development of relevant ecosystems
- Finding external innovation sources, Start-up scouting, and developing collaboration approaches
- Development of effective Innovation Communities in the context of the Innovation Mindset and facilitating the growth of Innovation Mindset
G2 has its own Hub and Innovation Center in Milan, Italy : 1000 square meters and a dedicated digital innovation platform available for customers and startup.
KEY INFORMATION
Location: Milan
How to Apply: Apply Here
Industry: Wearables, Hardware, MedTech, Design, Food, Lifestyle, Ecommerce, Mobile Apps, FinTech, Retail, Travel, Hospitality
Investment Size: No Data
Programme Length: No data
Equity Taken: No Data
FoodTech Accelerator
Official Website here
The FoodTech Acceleration Platform, powered by Deloitte and part of Officine Innovazione, is an Open Innovation platform specialized in the AgriFood-Tech sector. Based in Milan but with a global breadth, FTAP acts as a one-stop-shop for companies operating along the entire food value chain, providing them a tailor-made suite of professional services for delivering end-to-end innovation projects.
Leveraging on proprietary methodologies, an hands-on approach, an extensive ecosystem, more than 1500 international startups, leading corporates, VCs, and Universities and world class track records, FTAP has the capabilities to design and deploy successful corporate-startup pilots under target areas such as midstream tech, circular economy, disruptive food and alternative beverages, agritech, automated commerce and innovative packaging.
Since 2018, the Platform has supported many top food corporates (including Amadori, Cereal Docks, Cirfood, Epta) and international startups in the joint development of 30+ industrial pilots, business and tech validation projects and MVPs in-store and FTAP’s alumni have raised in total more than €90 million so far.
KEY INFORMATION
Location: Milan
Industry: FoodTech, AgTech
Program Length: 15 Weeks
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