As the market leaves the first half of 2025 behind, it is time to look at where the venture capital industry stands in Italy. Specifically, the sector that has run the fastest is, without a doubt, biotech, which has attracted more than 127million euro of investment, spread over 12 different deals. This is a particularly positive result, especially when compared to previous years: in 2024, there were 15 deals for a total of $221 million raised, and in 2023, the total raised was instead $164 million, thanks to 12 deals.
Looking at the market as a whole, according to BeBeez data, Italian start-ups and scale-ups have raised more than 353.4 million euros. This figure rises to 1.43 billion euros if we also consider start-ups founded by Italians abroad. Again, this is an excellent result when compared to the 1.7 billion euro raised in the whole of 2024.
These are all positive signs that testify to a renewed interest in the Italian innovation ecosystem. However, the comparison with other European countries still highlights how there is a long way to go. Even looking at its closest neighbours, such as Spain, this has already surpassed the billion euro mark in startup investments in the first half of the year.
But let’s look specifically at some of the most interesting rounds in June, looking for champions beyond the biotech sector.
Jet HR
The tech company focused on simplifying work-related bureaucracy and employee management has closed a 25million euro round, led by BASE10. The startup’s goal is not only to automate payroll processing but also to quickly manage administrative tasks, shedding light on personnel costs and eliminating paperwork.
Nova
The professional network that connects the world’s best talent has just raised 3.2million euro in a funding round led by CDP Venture Capital, through its ServiceTech division. The new funds will enable the Milan-based company to expand its professional network internationally, while also promoting the development of a new proprietary technology.
Lionhealth
The Italian start-up, which develops innovative foods for patients with malnutrition linked to severe diseases such as Alzheimer’s, has received 3million euro in funding thanks to the support of fifty investors, including Doorway and Vikivi. The company’s goal is to build a market-leading European start-up in the field of medical nutrition, with a focus on food for special medical purposes.
AI4IV
The young Italian deep tech company, active in the development of sensors and modules for potential on-edge vision from AI, has cashed in more than 1.7million euro in a recent investment round. The technological heart of the start-up is FlyEye, a newly developed neuromorphic sensor that emulates the functioning of human neurons, guaranteeing the recognition of objects in the environment in real-time, even in extremely bright conditions.
Assist Digital
The company, which specialises in customer experience, data and digital transformation, has acquired a majority stake in Hyntelo, a leading data science technology company. This transaction opens international doors for Hyntelo, consolidating its position but also opening up to new sectors, such as pharma.
