Incubators and Accelerators in Italy: Fewer Facilities, but More Specialization

The SIM Report provides a clear snapshot of Italy's incubator and accelerator ecosystem. It notes a maturity phase: solid numbers but also structural contraction indicating a strategic redefinition process rather than a crisis. This article summarizes the main data and emerging trends for those working in innovation and startups.

Incubators and accelerators in Italy innovation: key numbers and dynamics

According to the report, Italy currently hosts 203 incubators and accelerators, employing roughly 2,300 people in total. The facilities support over 5,000 incubated or accelerated startups, a figure stable compared with the previous year, while the total revenue of the supported startups surpassed 600 million euros. On average, each incubator contributes about 1.7 million euros in funding for the startups it supports, confirming the central role of these organizations in the national innovation value chain.

In Italy there are currently 203 incubators and accelerators employing about 2,300 people in total

Incubators and accelerators in Italy innovation: contraction and evolution

One of the key elements of the study is the more than 10% reduction in the number of incubators compared with the previous year. It describes a dynamic of company consolidations, pivots toward emerging models like Venture Studios, and the winding down of temporary projects no longer sustainable in an increasingly selective competitive environment. The idea is that the contraction represents a process of specialization and consolidation, rather than a weakness in the ecosystem.

According to Paolo Landoni, the director of the research, these changes open new pathways for growth that focuses on efficiency, quality of support, and alignment with sustainability and impact goals.

Geographic distribution and infrastructure

The Italian landscape shows a strong concentration in the Northwest, with Lombardy leading with 45 active facilities. It is followed by Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Campania, and Tuscany, which together represent a significant share of the national offer. In terms of infrastructure, in 2024 the average space made available for incubation was about 2,700 square meters per facility; about 60% of incubators have at least 400 square meters, the minimum threshold required for official certification.

Core services and external activities

The baseline offering remains centered on managerial support, the development of strategic relationships, and assistance in securing financing. At the same time, access to physical spaces and entrepreneurial training remain key elements. A notable fact: over 85% of facilities carry out activities not directly related to incubation, such as participating in calls for proposals, organizing events, or providing consulting to public bodies and businesses, signaling an active presence in adjacent sectors of the ecosystem.

More than 85% of facilities carry out activities not directly linked to incubation

Outsourcing and a sustainable supply chain

For the first time, the report also analyzes the services required by incubators for their operation. More than 93% of facilities rely on external suppliers, from professional services to operational management. A distinctive element is that 63% of partners are selected taking into account social and environmental impact, signaling growing attention to sustainability across the internal operational supply chain.

63% of incubators select their partners with regard to social and environmental impact

Lean and automated startups

A focus on a sample of over 450 incubated startups reveals a shift in the structure of new ventures. The average number of employees per startup fell from 7 to 4 in 2024, suggesting a transition toward lean, digital, and automated models. Despite the lower average, the total number of employees across incubated startups exceeds 20,300, demonstrating a still-significant employment impact at the system level.

Social and environmental impact and gender equality

The report dedicates extensive space to analyzing social and environmental impact. About half of incubators support startups with significant social or environmental impacts, and a similar share monitors impact through structured frameworks. The most represented sectors include health and well-being, sports, environmental protection, agriculture and farming. On inclusion, the ecosystem reaches gender parity, marking an important milestone compared with previous years.

The most represented sectors include health and well-being, sports, environmental protection, agriculture and farming

Policy and future prospects

During the presentation of the SIM Report, the central role of public policies emerged. Experts underscored that the contraction of incubators can strengthen the sector if accompanied by certifications and targeted incentives. The 8% tax credit for investments in startups is cited among the useful tools to transform the ecosystem into a lever of competitiveness and employment growth. At this stage, the focus is on more efficient and specialized models capable of combining impact, innovation, and sustainability.

Overall, the analysis paints an ecosystem that is moving from a phase of quantitative expansion to a season of qualitative consolidation, where impact, specialization and sustainability drive future development.

Fonte startup-news.it