According to the Social Innovation Monitor (SIM), Italy has 640 certified startups that create significant social impact. These startups lie at the intersection of nonprofit organizations and for-profit enterprises and are categorized into three types: Innovative Startups with a Social Vocation, Benefit Companies, and B Corps.
Startups that officially declare their positive social impact through certifications such as Benefit Corporation or B Corp now make up 6% of the total. This marks a significant increase from 3.1% in 2020.
In 2023, the number of certified startups with a notable social impact rose by 9% compared to 2022.
These startups are characterised by a higher rate of female involvement, with women making up 23% of the leadership roles in social impact startups—nearly double the percentage in typical startups (13.7%).
On average, social impact startups employ 1.4 people, slightly more than the 1.3 employees typically found in other startups. Their average revenue stands at €117,500, lower than the €141,200 generated by traditional startups.
A growing number of Italian startups are standing out not only for their positive social and environmental impact but also for their economic success. Research from the Social Innovation Monitor identified 20 leading Italian startups with significant social and environmental impact, distinguished by strong revenue growth, employee numbers, and funding.
These top-performing startups are primarily active in sectors like mental health and psychological well-being, with three startups excelling in this field. Other notable sectors include digital education and environmental sustainability, each represented by two startups.
The best-performing startups in these areas report average revenues of €3 million, annual growth rates of 117%, and an average of 20 employees—an increase of 65%. These companies also attract substantial investment, with an average of €4.1 million in non-debt financing. More than half of these startups integrate hardware or combine it with software as a core part of their business model.
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For further details, you can download the full Social Innovation Monitor report (in Italian) at the following link: https://socialinnovationmonitor.com/startup/report-sulle-startup-innovative-a-significativo-impatto-sociale-4/