Ventive is selecting 100 Italian startups to be featured in Forbes Italia, creating an official list of innovation in our country.
Now in its second year, the project will give a voice to the drivers of change in key sectors of the Italian economy.
Clearly and effectively prepare the topics that will be analyzed in particular during the evaluation:
- Quality and Experience of the Team
- Level of Innovation vs. Competitor
- Market Traction and Validation
- Scaling Potential
- Effectiveness in go-to-market
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The initiative launched by Ventive aims to highlight and promote the experiences of startups focused specifically on innovation.
The selected startups will be featured free of charge in a special issue of Forbes Italia dedicated to the list, available in both print and online formats.
The publication of the Top 100 ranking will include a list arranged in alphabetical order.
The Italian startup market is undergoing a period of extraordinary consolidation: growing capital, increasingly solid business models, and a global capacity to compete at the highest levels.
Following the overwhelming success of the first edition, the selection process for the Top 100 Italian Startups 2026 is officially open.
Promoted by Ventive and Forbes Italy, this initiative aims to identify, celebrate, and scale the most disruptive startups in the Italian ecosystem.
“While the past has demonstrated the strength and maturity of our ecosystem, 2026 is the year to accelerate without limits.”
Do you want to maximize your startup’s visibility, attract top investors, and rank among Italy’s 100 most prominent companies?
Applications for the new edition are now open. Don’t let your innovation remain in the shadows: take the leap to the next level.
The presentation event, held at the Principe di Savoia Hotel in Milan and moderated by journalist Edoardo Prallini, provided an up-to-date overview of industry trends.
The event opened with a presentation by Roberto Sfoglietta, CEO and founder of Ventive: a company that has analyzed more than 5,000 startups since 2019 and currently holds more than 90 investments.
Ten selected companies then took the stage, representing ten key sectors:
Finance: Luca Bertozzi (BKN301) – Digitalization of Financial Services
Tech: Luca Cartechini (ShopCircle) – E-commerce Infrastructure
Food: Pasquale Polito (Forno Brisa & Breaders) – Scalable Models in the Food Industry
Fashion & Beauty: Rachele Mancini (Hibourama) – Digital-Native Brands
Education: Norma Rossetti (MySecretCase) – Education and Culture
Mobility: Fabio Nalucci (Limolane) – Mobility Solutions
Energy: Giacomo Zenoni (Daze) – Sustainability and Energy
Travel: Luca Carlucci (BizAway) – Platforms for Business Travel
Sports & Gaming: Stefano Manzoni (BuddyFit) – Digital Fitness and Wellness
Health & Social Impact: Silvia Wang (Serenis) – Mental Health and Social Impact
- AI & Enterprise Software
- FinTech & InsurTech
- HealthTech & BioTech
- ClimateTech & Energy
- Mobility & Logistics
- Food & AgriTech
- Education & Media
- Travel & Hospitality
- Cloud & Cybersecurity
- Sport & Gaming
- Construction & Real Estate
Applications will be reviewed jointly by the Corporate Finance, Deal Flow, and Sales teams. The final selection will be guided—at Ventive’s sole discretion—by its many years of expertise in evaluating startups and innovative companies at every stage.
Startups—whether accepted or not—will be contacted again in September and October.
You will primarily be contacted by Letizia Gigliotti (Executive Assistant) and Virginia Guidotti (Deal Flow Team).
After you submit your application, you will receive an email containing the event flyer, all the necessary information, and the option to schedule a call if you have any questions or need clarification.
The closing event will be held in Milan, just as it was for the 2025 edition. The date and location will be announced on official channels this fall.
