In recent years, Italy’s innovation landscape has evolved into a multi-centered system shaped by data, investment flows, and regional specialization. A study highlighted by the Rome Business School shows that innovation is no longer concentrated in a single hub, but distributed across three main urban ecosystems – Milan, Rome, and Turin – each with distinct strengths and measurable outcomes.
Milan stands out for its ability to attract capital, securing more than €4.1 billion in venture investments between 2020 and 2024, while Rome leads in research funding, with €776 million obtained through European programs such as Horizon 2020. Turin, on the other hand, has emerged as a fast-growing tech hub, expanding at an annual rate of about 19%.
