Italy Calls
Europe’s Hidden Growth Frontier.
When Australian founders think about expansion, the default choices are Silicon Valley or Singapore. But those markets are crowded, expensive, and saturated. Italy is different. With a €2 trillion economy and a strong industrial north, it offers scale without the same congestion. For companies looking to break into Europe, Italy can be a strategic entry point.
Why Italy?
Italy is the EU’s second-largest manufacturer and one of the world’s top exporters. It leads in advanced machinery, robotics, fashion, food technology, and materials. Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of its economy, creating resilience and diversity.
Its geographic location matters too. With dozens of ports and airports, Italy connects Europe, Africa, and Asia. That makes it an ideal hub if your product relies on global supply chains.
Key Sectors of Opportunity
ITA (Italian Trade Agency) identifies strong opportunities for foreign investors in aerospace, agritech, circular economy solutions, green chemistry, ICT, life sciences, logistics, microelectronics, and real estate. Healthtech founders can connect with Italy’s ageing population and biomedical research. Food and agri-innovation companies find a culture hungry for new approaches. Clean energy entrepreneurs plug into the country’s national green transition.
How ITA Supports Founders
The Italian Trade Agency is more than a promotional body. With offices worldwide, including Sydney, it offers free consulting, connections, and training. Its “Invest in Italy” unit, together with Invitalia, acts as a one-stop shop for foreign investors. They’ll support with:
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Visa applications (including a simplified investor visa)
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Site selection for offices or subsidiaries
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Sourcing talent and partners
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Navigating tax and labour frameworks
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Accessing incentives tied to digital and green transitions
Business in Italy is highly relationship-driven. Having ITA open doors to clusters, universities, and corporate partners saves founders time and avoids costly missteps.
Steps to Get Ready
Expanding internationally isn’t just about registering a company. Founders should:
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Validate fit. Ensure Italy’s demand aligns with your product.
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Understand the landscape. Obtain ITA’s Doing Business in Italy guide. Map regulatory frameworks, tax rules, and structures.
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Build relationships. Expansion is as much about trust as it is about product. Start with a representative office, pilot project, or joint venture.
Why Now?
Europe is in transition - investing heavily in digitalisation and green technology. Italy is positioning itself as a hub in both. For founders willing to look beyond the usual markets, this is an opening that won’t stay under the radar forever.
The Invitation
Italy isn’t just pasta and piazzas. It’s a world-class manufacturing centre, a European gateway, and a country actively encouraging foreign founders to set up shop. With ITA’s support, you don’t need to navigate the move alone.
Join our upcoming webinar with Funding4Growth and the Italian Trade Agency, where we'll unpack visas, incentives, sector opportunities and real founder stories. Register now to secure your spot and explore Italy as your growth frontier.
Author Bio
As a global funding advisor, Lisa Erhart uses Funding4Growth to connect founders with opportunities that match their vision. Discover how.
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