Italy is evolving beyond its traditional reputation for fashion, food, and design, emerging as a global leader in innovation. Notably, over 40% of the components of the International Space Station are manufactured in Italy, underscoring the country’s technological prowess. As Italy continues to sharpen its innovative edge, it is also focusing on forging connections with the United States.
Atlas—the Transatlantic Association for the Internationalization of Startups—has been established in November 2023, with operational headquarters both in Italy and Brooklyn’s Tech Triangle. It is associated with Confindustria, Italy’s foremost association of entrepreneurs, and aims to create educational and networking opportunities for Italian startups willing to tap into the vast potential of the U.S. market, particularly in New York City.
Recently, Atlas concluded its inaugural event, “Atlas Next,” a three-day program designed to provide leaders of Italy’s most innovative startups with the tools to navigate the U.S. market and overcome regulatory and cultural challenges. On Tuesday, participants were welcomed at the Italian Cultural Institute on Park Avenue by Prof. Fabio Finotti. This event marked a significant milestone in the initiative, offering insights from representatives of Italian trade institutions.
“The internationalization of Italian startups is essential for fostering economic growth and innovation, not only in Italy but also in the U.S.,” stated Atlas President Tommaso D’Onofrio. “This initiative enables companies to expand their markets, enhance cross-cultural collaboration, attract foreign investments, and improve competitiveness.” Vittoria Carli, Vice President for Digital Transformation and Internationalization at Confindustria, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the project’s potential impact on Europe as well and advocating for streamlined bureaucratic processes to support startups in their international ventures. With plans to organize multiple missions each year, Atlas aims to enrich New York’s entrepreneurial landscape, which currently hosts over 25,000 startups—creating an ideal environment for new businesses to flourish.
