This year’s report also shows positive signals for Italy:
the country gained 3 positions in the global startup ecosystem ranking, while Milano climbed 2 spots among global startup cities
thanks to ecosystem growth above 9%.

This is exactly the kind of momentum SMAU experiences and connects through its international Roadshow: a journey across global innovation ecosystems designed to create opportunities for startups, corporates, investors and enablers through collaboration, exchange and international growth.

In 2026, SMAU has already brought its network to London, Paris and Stockholm, engaging with some of Europe’s most dynamic innovation communities. Next stop: New York, one of the world’s leading startup ecosystems and among the fastest-growing global hubs according
to the latest rankings.

This international journey led to Milano, a final stop that is also a meeting point. The connections, ideas and collaborations sparked throughout the international Roadshow will come together in one global innovation ecosystem.

where startups, corporates, investors and international stakeholders will come together to exchange visions, activate partnerships and explore the future of innovation across industries and markets. 

E-Plato develops Industrial AI solutions for manufacturing companies, transforming technical documentation, electrical schematics, and operational data into actionable knowledge. Its platform integrates with existing systems and runs on-premise or in private cloud, ensuring full data sovereignty while improving maintenance, diagnostics, engineering workflows, and production efficiency. The startup supports medium and large manufacturing enterprises seeking secure AI solutions to optimize plant operations and decision-making.

Builti develops FIBA, a SaaS solution, and integrated engineering services for the digital assessment, evaluation, monitoring and management of critical assets. Its offering combines proprietary sensing technologies, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) algorithms, and engineering metrics derived from academic and university research, embedded into scalable SaaS workflows. Builti supports the management of buildings, industrial sites, bridges, transport infrastructures, energy assets and WTGs and dams, banking and real estate portfolios, and other mission-critical facilities, enabling continuous control and better prioritization of interventions. By integrating field data, sensor data and engineering evaluation models, our platforms help clients accelerate condition assessment, predictive maintenance, risk ranking, structural diagnostics and maintenance planning. 

AccessiBit is on a mission to accelerate the transition towards a web that is inclusive and accessible to all. With a focus on software solutions and comprehensive accessibility audits, the aim is to ensure that websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can use them. The target audience includes public and private entities required to comply with accessibility laws, as well as businesses seeking to enhance their digital inclusivity. AccessiBit solutions help organizations meet regulatory requirements and open digital spaces to the 15% of the global population with disabilities, fostering an environment of equality and inclusion.

Want to learn more about this international innovation ecosystem and become part of the SMAU network?