A population that continues to increase, considering that the number of startups registered in the special section of the Register of Companies has exceeded 14 thousand as of October 1 (14,032 to be precise, 3.6% of the 384 thousand newly established joint stock companies) , and characterized by the usual strengths and weaknesses, which have now become structural. The usual quarterly report drawn up by Mise in collaboration with InfoCamere and with the support of the Chamber of Commerce system does not therefore differ much from that of the previous three months and generally consolidates the progressive development trend of the ecosystem.
Lombardy first basin for ICT software and consulting
Growth has slowed down more (also thanks to the summer period) and stops at 3.3% while Lombardy confirms itself for the umpteenth time as the main cradle of the Italian startup movement, hosting over a quarter (26.8%, 3,755 companies) of all new Italian innovative companies. The province of Milan alone, in particular, represents 18.8% of the population (2,640 companies) and exceeds the figure of any other region (Lazio, the second most populous basin, has 1,633 startups under its belt. Another recurring figure , as regards geographical distribution, Trentino-Alto Adige, the region with the highest density of innovative companies, rewards about 5.9% of all the companies established in the last five years. , 2% of innovative startups provide services to businesses (mainly software production and IT consulting, which make up 38% of cases), while 16.4% work in manufacturing.
Less than one in eight companies is female
The share capital of the startups, as stated in the report, increased significantly compared to the previous quarter (the increase was 3.1%) and now stands at over 67,000. A good part of these are directly involved in the activity and on average we are talking about larger groups than the new joint-stock companies, with 4.9 partners per startup compared to 2.1 subjects of traditional companies. Innovative realities founded by under 35s are 18.5% of the total, while female companies are once again underrepresented, around 13%, compared to 20.9% recorded in joint-stock companies as a whole.
Total turnover is increasing, but the losses are growing
In contrast to the previous quarters, the average value of production remains low – 187 thousand euros, about 15 thousand euros more – but is growing compared to the second quarter. 2020 budgets in hand (the data refer to less than 60% of the startups currently registered), a second rising indicator also catches the eye and it is that of the average assets, equal to about 416 thousand euros for innovative startups and increasing by approximately 70 thousand euros compared to the previous survey. Consequently, the overall turnover figure is also good, consolidated at one billion and 540 million euros, 255 million more than the figure at the end of June. Finally, the figure relating to the total operating income recorded in 2020 is negative, in the red for 122.7 million euros, 14.4 million more than three months ago. 53.4% of companies closed the balance sheet at a loss and this is a substantially stable figure for several quarters now.
Sustainability is for the few
A study by InfoCamere tried to photograph Italian startups and innovative SMEs (about 16 thousand companies in total) that claim to be involved in activities related to e-commerce and sustainability. Well, only 10% (1,630 companies) meet these requirements and specifically 8% confirm that they pay attention to green issues and 2% are active with e-commerce. Very few operate in both business chains. 90% of the identified startups and small and medium-sized green enterprises are limited liability companies, 12% are female, 15.3% are under 35 and 2.4% have foreign shareholders. In Lombardy we find the largest block of the most sensitive to the sustainability factor: 338 companies, about 26% of the total.