Venice, Italy · Accelerator H-Farm was founded in 2005 by Riccardo Donadon and Maurizio Rossi near Treviso in the Venetian countryside, positioning itself as one of the earliest startup incubators in Europe — predating Y Combinator's launch by only months. The platform has since grown into a publicly listed (since 2015) innovation campus combining startup acceleration, corporate digital transformation services, and three international schools educating over 1,150 students aged 3–18. H-Farm has supported approximately 120 startups and is ranked among Italy's top innovation hubs by the Financial Times.
Accelerator EducationAgriTechFashion TechGeneral Tech
Turin & Milan, Italy · Accelerator Founded in 2007, Innogest Capital is a Turin and Milan-based early-stage VC managing over EUR 150M across funds focused on technology and life sciences. The firm invests EUR 0.5-5M at Series A in digital platforms, IoT, healthcare, and industrial tech. Notable portfolio companies include Genenta Science (IPO on Nasdaq), Musement (acquired by TUI), and Pharmacell. Innogest is one of Italy's pioneer independent VC firms with deep networks in the Piedmont and Lombardy tech ecosystems.
Accelerator Series A TechnologyIoTLife SciencesHealthcare
Milan, Italy · Accelerator Founded in 2015, Panakes Partners is a Milan-based healthcare VC investing EUR 1-8M at Series A and B in medical devices, diagnostics, digital health, and biotech across Europe. The firm manages over EUR 100M and focuses on companies with clear clinical evidence and regulatory pathways. Portfolio includes MMI (surgical robotics, IPO on Euronext), Novavido, and Kither Biotech. The team of medtech executives and clinicians provides hands-on support in clinical trials, CE marking, and commercialization.
Accelerator Series A to Series B HealthTechMedTechBiotech
Milan, Italy · Accelerator Founded in 2016, Primomiglio SGR is a Milan-based venture capital firm managing over EUR 200M across sector-specific funds. Its Barcamper Ventures fund invests EUR 0.5-3M at seed and Series A in digital and ICT startups, while a dedicated SpaceTech fund targets newspace and satellite technology. Primomiglio's scouting approach uses a touring bus (the 'Barcamper') to visit Italian universities and tech hubs to discover early-stage talent. Portfolio includes companies in SaaS, IoT, and space infrastructure.
Accelerator Seed to Series A ICTDigitalSpaceTech
Naples, Italy · Accelerator Founded in 2007, Vertis Ventures (formerly Vertis SGR) is a Naples-based VC bridging northern and southern Italy, managing over EUR 200M across early-stage and growth funds. The firm invests EUR 0.5-10M in media, fintech, and industrial tech, with a mandate to support innovation in Italy's Mezzogiorno region. Portfolio includes Buzzoole (influencer marketing), Optima Italia, and Mosaicoon. Vertis is notable for its focus on developing venture capital culture in southern Italy while maintaining national deal flow.
Accelerator Seed to Growth MediaFintechIndustrial Tech