Open Innovation in Italy and the Role of Startups – Update 2025

Free Content Report March 2025 44 pages pdf

What you will learn

The report illustrates the evolution of the innovation ecosystem and the actors that compose it, delving into the level of adoption of Open Innovation approaches among SMEs and Large and Very Large Enterprises in Italy in 2024. The types of actions adopted are also explored, with a particular focus on the recent phenomenon of Corporate Venturing. Finally, the level of diffusion of collaborations with startups and the types of relationships established is illustrated.

Table of Contents

  1. 1
    The innovation ecosystem in Italy
  2. 2
    Open Innovation in Italy
  3. 3
    Open Innovation governance
  4. 4
    Adoption of Corporate Venture Building
  5. 5
    The role of startups in Open Innovation

Index of Graphs

  1. 1
    Key players driving Digital Innovation
  2. 2
    How is the innovation ecosystem changing?
  3. 3
    Adoption of Open Innovation approaches in Large and Very Large Enterprises
  4. 4
    Adoption of Open Innovation approaches by company size

You will know how to answer these key questions

  • How is the innovation ecosystem evolving for Italian companies?
  • What is the level of adoption of Open Innovation solutions in Italy in 2024? How does it vary according to company size?
  • How widespread is Corporate Venture Building and how is it grounded in companies?
  • What role do startups play for traditional companies? What relationships are established between companies and startups?

The methodology used in this Report

To meet the research objectives, several methods of investigation have been mixed, including:

  • an online Survey involving 141 CIOs and Innovation Managers of Italian and multinational companies and Public Administrations;
  • an online Survey involving 568 CEOs and C-levels of Italian SMEs;
  • over 80 direct interviews with CIOs and Innovation Managers of some important companies and Public Administrations and with CEOs and founders of important Italian startups.

Authors

Mariano Corso

Mariano Corso

Scientific Committee
Alessandra Luksch

Alessandra Luksch

Research Director
Filippo Frangi

Filippo Frangi

Rita Giordano

Rita Giordano

Analista e Dottoranda
Asia Corradi

Asia Corradi

Junior Analyst

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Open Innovation in Italy and the Role of Startups - Update 2025

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