Milan
We have expanded our Food, Fintech and Sustainability programs from Silicon Valley to Milan.
Milan is rich in talented entrepreneurs and original inventions - we scout, accelerate, and invest in the best Italian startups.
By bringing together top-notch startups from the region, we provide game-changing technology solutions to the country’s main corporations and catalyze their digital transformation.
Watch our videos from Italy
Italy Winter Summit 2021
Italy Winter Summit 2020
1 Year of Innovation in Italy
Program Launch
Fintech & Insurtech Showcase
Italy Winter Summit 2019
Milan University Day
Our Value
Global Reach
We operate in 30+ different locations. With strong ties within each ecosystem, we have a truly global startup network. Utilizing this global network, Plug and Play Italy is able to support startups both locally and abroad, to globalize Italian innovation.
Innovation Ecosystem
We partner with over 400 major corporations and have supported over 10,000 startups since our inception in 2006. Plug and Play Italy's goal is to create a platform that will serve many large corporations and startups alike.
Venture Capital
In 2019 alone, we invested in 250 startups and are regarded as one of the most active investors in the world. These startups will have the opportunity to take advantage of our new platform in Italy.
FoundHer
Plug and Play Italy is looking for the best startups led by women.
FoundHER is a 5-month equity-free and fee-free program offered by Plug and Play Italy dedicated to Italian startups with at least 51% of female founders to boost their potential through our network and programs. The program includes mentorship, workshops, networking and office space.
Our Food & Beverage partners in Milan
Esselunga
Esselunga is one of the leading Italian grocery retailers with more than 150 superstores and supermarkets. Since 1957, the Company is constantly engaged in the innovation of the product and the clients’ assistance: producer as well as distributor, the Company’s strengths are its own products and the fresh offer.
Barilla
Barilla is an Italian family-owned food company. Their origins date back to 1877 and today they are an international Group present in more than 100 countries: world leader for pasta, leader for ready-made sauces in Europe, for bakery products in Italy and for crispbreads in Scandinavia. Barilla employs over 8,700 people and own 30 production sites in 10 countries which every year contribute to the production of over 2,000,000 tons of products.
Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak is the world's leading food processing and packaging solutions company. With 24,000+ employees around the world, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business. The motto, “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD™," reflects our vision to make food safe and available, everywhere.
Some Food focus areas include:
- Food Freshness & Safety
- New Materials & Packaging
- Supply Chain & Logistics
- Analytics & Retail
- Traceability & Prediction
- Sustainability, Waste Reduction, & Recycling
- Protein & Ingredient Alternatives
- Marketing, Customer Loyalty, & User Experience
Our Fintech partners in Milan
Unicredit
UniCredit is a simple successful pan-European Commercial Bank, with a fully plugged in CIB, delivering a unique Western, Central and Eastern European network to its extensive client franchise: 26 million clients. UniCredit offers both local and international expertise to its clients, providing them with unparalleled access to leading banks in its 14 core markets through its European banking network.
BPER Banca
BPER is an Italian banking group offering traditional banking services to individuals, corporate and public entities. Its history began more than 150 years ago and in June 2022, the acquisition of the Carige Group led BPER Banca to become the parent company of the 3rd largest group in Italy in terms of global funding and number of branches, with more than 2,000 branches covering almost all Italian regions, around 22 thousand employees and more than 5 million customers.
Some Fintech focus areas include:
- Capital Markets
- Customer Engagement
- Insurance Solutions
- Data Analytics
- Infrastructure
- Lending
- Payments
- Regtech
- Security
Our Sustainability Partners in Milan
Buzzi Unicem
Buzzi Unicem is an international multiregional, “heavy-side” group, focused on cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates, since 1907. The company’s dedicated management has a long-term view of the business and commitment towards a sustainable development, supported by high quality assets in 12 countries. Buzzi Unicem pursues value creation through lasting, experienced know-how and operating efficiency of its plants and commits to promote sustainability in each country it operates.
A2A
A2A is the largest Italian multiutility, at the leading edge for over ten years in services throughout the territory and technological solutions, with more than one hundred years of history and experience. We are key players in the energy transition and employ the principle of the circular economy in all our activities. With a far-reaching strategic plan, we manage the generation, sale and distribution of electricity and gas, district heating, waste collection and recovery, electric mobility, public lighting and the integrated water service.
Poste Italiane
With its 158-year history, a network of more than 12,800 post offices, a workforce of 126 thousand, total financial assets of €536 billion and 35 million customers, Poste Italiane is an integral part of Italy’s economic, social and productive fabric, occupying an unparalleled position in the country in terms of size, recognisability, reach and customer loyalty.
Some Sustainability focus areas include:
- Circularity and New Materials
- Energy, Climate and Resources
- Sustainable Industrial Operations
- Electric and Shared Mobility
- Cleantech and Watertech
- Decarbonisation
- Carbon Capture and Storage
- Hydrogen and Alternative Fuels
SPARKS
SPARKS is a 5-month, fee-free pre-accelerator program with the future in mind.
The students of today are the pioneering entrepreneurs of tomorrow and we want to cultivate them from the ground up.
SPARKS Selectees receive world-class mentorship opportunities from Industry Experts, participate in workshops to optimize their business model, and access to the Plug and Play ecosystem.
Ready to Ignite your Future? If you are interested in participating in the program, please contact italy@pnptc.com
(To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an Italian university)
