A unicorn is a startup marked at USD 1 Billion or more. These are highly innovative and market disruptive startups. Italy has more than 77.2K+ startups. Of these, 4 have become Unicorns, with the latest entrant to the club being Bending Spoons on Feb 15, 2024. In 2026, Italy has seen no new unicorn startups.
Globally, Italy is number 29 in terms of total Unicorns created, behind Estonia (4 unicorns) at rank 28 and Thailand (5 unicorns) at rank 27. Milan leads the list of cities in Italy with most unicorns at 3. It is followed by Rome (1 unicorn). Among sectors, FinTech has seen the most unicorns created at 2, followed by Retail at 2, and Consumer at 2
Here is a list of all 4 unicorns created in Italy:
Bending Spoons joined the Unicorn Club on Feb 15, 2024 after raising a $155M Series D funding round led by Baillie Gifford, Cox Enterprises, Nuo Capital and 2 more, valuing it at $2.55B.
Developer of mobile applications and AI-powered technologies. It develops and operates a portfolio of digital products, focusing on user-friendly design and robust underlying technology. The company's engineering expertise extends to in-house AI development, utilized in various applications. A significant focus is placed on creating a positive and supportive work environment. The company also supports STEM education initiatives.
Key facts about Bending Spoons
- Founded Year: 2013
- Location: Milan (Italy)
- Stage: Public
- Primary Sector: Mobile App Studios
- Time to Unicorn: 11 years 1 month
- Top investors : T. Rowe Price, Goldman Sachs
- Total Funding till date: $840M
- Employee Count: 804 as on May 31, 2026
- Latest Funding Round: Series E, Oct 30, 2025, $*****
3. Satispay
Satispay joined the Unicorn Club on Sep 28, 2022 after raising a $308M Series D funding round led by Addition, valuing it at $962M.
Provider of payment application and digital solutions for business and welfare. The company offers payment methods for individuals, stores, and companies. It provides digital solutions for everyday expenses and money transfers. The company also provides digital meal vouchers and purchase vouchers.
Key facts about Satispay
- Founded Year: 2013
- Location: Milan (Italy)
- Stage: Series D
- Primary Sector: Payments
- Time to Unicorn: 9 years 8 months
- Top investors : Addition, Greyhound Capital
- Annual Revenue: €10M - €50M as on Dec 31, 2021
- Valuation: $*****
- Total Funding till date: $501M
- Employee Count: 875 as on Jun 30, 2026
- Latest Funding Round: Series D, Nov 11, 2024, $*****
2. Scalapay
Scalapay joined the Unicorn Club on Sep 09, 2021 after raising a $155M Series A funding round led by Tiger Global Management, valuing it at $700M.
Provider of payment solutions for e-commerce businesses. It provides users with a lending platform which provide point-of sale installment financing as well as pay later facility. It allows users to avail the facility by choosing checkout. It provides fraud prevention and data protection systems for customers to maintain secure transactions.
Key facts about Scalapay
- Founded Year: 2019
- Location: Milan (Italy)
- Stage: Series B
- Primary Sector: Alternative Lending and E-Commerce Enablers
- Time to Unicorn: 2 years 8 months
- Top investors : Tiger Global Management, Willoughby Capital
- Annual Revenue: €10M - €50M as on Dec 31, 2023
- Valuation: $*****
- Total Funding till date: $456M
- Employee Count: 254 as on Jun 30, 2026
- Latest Funding Round: Conventional Debt, Dec 11, 2025, $*****
Engineering Ingegneria Informatica joined the Unicorn Club on Feb 05, 2020
Key facts about Engineering Ingegneria Informatica
- Founded Year: 1980
- Location: Rome (Italy)
- Stage: Acquired
- Primary Sector: Cloud Infrastructure
- Time to Unicorn: 40 years 1 month
- Top investors : Apax, Neuberger Berman
- Last Known Valuation: $*****
- Total Funding till date: $653K
- Employee Count: 11,819 as on Jun 30, 2026
- Latest Funding Round: Grant (prize money), Nov 01, 2022, $*****
