A Startup Gigafactory in Milan? The Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi Universities' Plan

Milan, the Italian startup capital, is about to reach a new milestone in its development: a startup gigafactory in Milan could emerge from a partnership between Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi University, led by the Tech Europe Foundation (TEF). The initiative proposes integrating Polihub and Bocconi For Innovation (B4i), with the aim of coordinating technical-scientific expertise and managerial know-how to accelerate the creation of new ventures.

A system-wide vision for universities and entrepreneurship

Looking at the numbers, between 2020 and 2024 graduates from Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi founded nearly half of Italy's startups, attracting billions of euros in capital. According to cited data, their activity has absorbed about 92% of the sector's total capital and has led a fundraising effort that has already surpassed 120 million euros for startup financing activities. TEF aims to bolster this fundraising by leveraging the experience gained across thousands of projects. The operational headquarters would be at Politecnico's Bovisa campus, in a 30,000-square-meter area born from the redevelopment of the gasometers. The stated objective is to generate one thousand innovative ventures per year, turning Milan into an internationally prominent tech hub and attracting foreign talent ready to study and start businesses in Italy.

From figures to a tangible reality

The partnership aims to align academic expertise and venture-building capabilities, with TEF playing the role of a facilitator of funds and connections among research, capital and industry. The initiative is not limited to a promise: combining technical and managerial skills could accelerate the creation of new enterprises, offering development pathways, targeted funding, and logistical support. The idea is to create an innovation antipark—a space where startups quickly move from idea to prototype, and on to sustainable growth.

Impact on Milan's ecosystem

This model could have a multiplier effect on the entire ecosystem, providing a critical mass capable of attracting investments, talent, and international projects. A hub of this scale could help train international talent and facilitate the localization of hi-tech companies in Italy, contributing to the competitiveness of the country's system. However, doubts and challenges are not lacking: integrating universities, companies, and investors requires clear governance, measurable KPIs, and accountability mechanisms, as well as sustainable management of human capital and infrastructure.

A possible debate: pros and cons

On one hand, there are many compelling arguments: creating a cohesive ecosystem between universities and businesses can shorten time-to-market, increase project quality, and foster the formation of a new generation of entrepreneurs based in Europe. On the other hand, real challenges exist: reliance on public funds and venture capital funding could create imbalances, managing large infrastructures requires sustained costs, and a constant project pipeline is needed to maintain effectiveness. Moreover, the presence of such a hub is not guaranteed automatically: transparent governance is required, ties to the international ecosystem, and a clear plan to measure impact. At the same time, it's essential to avoid promoting parallel initiatives that duplicate efforts or waste resources. In short, success will depend on universities' ability to align research, education, and entrepreneurship with a long-term strategy, facilitating access to funding and markets, but also on the ability to reform internal practices and standards to ensure efficiency and accountability.

Conclusion: build, not promote

The birth of a startup gigafactory in Milan represents a potentially transformative model for Italy's entire tech scene. With proper governance, concrete data, and a clear development path, Milan could establish itself as a European hub for the birth of new ventures. For founders and innovators, the initiative signals opportunities tied to targeted funding, access to infrastructure, and international networks. It remains essential to monitor implementation, evaluate KPIs, and maintain a critical stance: promises become results only when accompanied by effective resource management, project quality, and transparent governance.

Fonte startupitalia.eu