Italy is no longer just synonymous with fashion, food, and design; it’s now a global leader in innovation. In fact, over 40% of the International Space Station is built in Italy. As Italy’s innovative edge grows, so does its commitment to building bridges with the United States.
Last November, Atlas – the Transatlantic Association for internationalization of Startups – was founded. It is associated to Confindustria, Italy’s largest association of entrepreneurs. Atlas established its headquarters in Brooklyn Tech Triangle, aiming to create educational and matchmaking opportunities for Italian startups ready to seize the immense potential of the U.S. market, particularly in New York City.
Atlas recently wrapped up its first edition of “Atlas Next” a three-day event designed to equip leaders of Italy’s most innovative startups with the tools to succeed in the U.S. market, overcoming regulatory and cultural hurdles. On Tuesday, the participating companies were hosted at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York, located on Park Avenue, where they were welcomed by Prof. Fabio Finotti. The event, a key moment of the initiative, offered valuable insights from representatives of Italian trade institutions.
“The internationalization of Italian startups is crucial for driving economic growth and innovation, not just in Italy but also in the U.S. This enables companies to expand their market, foster cross-cultural collaboration, attract foreign investments, and boost competitiveness,” said Atlas President Tommaso D’Onofrio. “Atlas’s global vision, integrated within the Confindustria Innovative and Technological Services ecosystem, is made possible by a network of strategic partnerships and institutional dialogues, from Innovation Hubs to the Italian Consulate in New York. We are confident that this will create more growth opportunities and strengthen partnerships for Italian startups.”
Vittoria Carli, Vice President for Digital Transformation and Internationalization at Confindustria, also expressed her support for Atlas startups. “Innovation is at the heart of this project. What we’re doing here will have a huge impact in Europe as well,” Carli said, calling for streamlined bureaucratic processes to better support startups on their international journey.
Atlas plans to promote several missions each year to enrich New York’s entrepreneurial landscape, which currently boasts over 25,000 startups, making it an ideal environment for new businesses to thrive.
