IKIGAI
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersSiena, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
IKIGAI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IKIGAI
- Legal name
- Centro Studi Pluriversum srl
- Website
- https://ikigaihub.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IKIGAI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Startup Incubator and Accelerator Programs
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC), College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF), International Development & Donor-Funded Education Programs (EDADALAB)
Keywords
Where IKIGAI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Siena
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
IKIGAI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Foundation and public grants: IKIGAI operates as a program of Fondazione Monte dei Paschi di Siena (FMPS), supported by Regione Toscana (Tuscany Region). It is implemented by Centro Studi Pluriversum srl. Core operating funds come from these philanthropic and public sources, including a Protocollo d'Intesa between Regione Toscana (via Sviluppo Toscana) and FMPS.
- SAFE investments in portfolio startups: Through the Startup accelerator IKIGAI invests up to €30K per startup via SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity): €6K in pre-acceleration (€3K seed grant + €3K SAFE, with Sviluppo Toscana adding another €3K reimbursable) and up to €24K in acceleration tranches (entry, milestone-based, and team evaluation). Future returns depend on startup equity events.
- Non-repayable grants (a fondo perduto): IKIGAI Social Hub distributes €6,000 non-repayable grants to selected social enterprises, cooperatives, associations, and informal groups (up to 6 per edition). These are funded program expenditures, not commercial revenue.
- Talenti non-repayable scholarships: IKIGAI Talenti distributes up to €6,000 per individual (aged 18-35 in Siena/Arezzo/Grosseto) as a non-repayable scholarship, disbursed in three tranches (30%/40%/30%) against documented expenses for professional training, certifications, and training-on-the-job activities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Startup Pre-Acceleration: €6K (€3K grant + €3K SAFE) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Startup Acceleration: up to €24K SAFE |
| Other | Other | Talenti scholarship: up to €6,000 non-repayable |
| Other | Other | Social Hub grant: €6,000 non-repayable |
| Other | Other | Validation Lab: free |
| Other | Other | Summer Camp: free |
| Other | Other | IKIGAI Scuola: free for schools |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels10 records
IKIGAI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IKIGAI is a Siena-based innovation hub that runs pre-acceleration and acceleration programs for startups (investing up to €30K per startup via a combination of non-repayable grants and SAFE agreements), talent scholarships for individuals aged 18–35 in Siena/Arezzo/Grosseto, and €6K non-repayable grants for social-impact projects. Programs are supported by an 85+ mentor network, a University of Siena Legal Clinic, coworking space, and free Validation Lab and Scuola outreach initiatives.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- IKIGAI Startup: Pre-acceleration and acceleration program for startups, offering up to €30k investment (€6k seed/SAFE in pre-acceleration; up to €24k SAFE in acceleration).
- IKIGAI Talenti
- IKIGAI Social Hub
- IKIGAI Validation Lab
- IKIGAI Summer Camp
- IKIGAI Scuola
Products and services
- IKIGAI Startup (Pre-Acceleration + Acceleration) Pre-acceleration and acceleration program for early-stage startup teams in Tuscany, offering up to €30,000 in mixed grant + SAFE investment, a 14-week KPI-driven sprint methodology, 1:1 mentorship, coworking space, and access to an embedded Legal Clinic with the University of Siena.
- IKIGAI Talenti Non-repayable scholarship program of up to €6,000 plus dedicated tutoring for individuals aged 18–35 living or studying in the provinces of Siena, Arezzo, or Grosseto to fund professional training, certifications, and training-on-the-job activities.
- IKIGAI Social Hub Non-repayable grant program of €6,000 per project, plus mentoring and in-person workshops, for cooperatives, associations, social enterprises, and informal groups generating territorial and community impact.
- Validation Lab Free bimonthly workshop combining UX research methods with AI-assisted prototyping, helping participants analyze problems, define hypotheses, and validate solutions to territorial challenges (housing, fraud, workplace accidents). No prior startup or team is required.
- Summer Camp (Summer Founder Builder Camp)
Quantifiable outcome
- 79+ startups supported across 14 batches
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use IKIGAI
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
IKIGAI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability5 records
Feature3 records
IKIGAI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Centro Studi Pluriversum srlflagshipOperating entity behind IKIGAI. Listed as the data controller (Titolare del trattamento) with legal seat in Piazza dell'Abbadia 4, Siena. Legal representative: Vincenzo Bianculli. CF/Partita IVA: 00942960527. Holds 'incubatore certificato' accreditation.
- Next4 Groupcore2026 strategic collaboration addressing Italy's post-acceleration gap. Provides four operational tools for startups after IKIGAI programs: investor networking, subsidized financing access, funding round preparation, and international development. Mentors from Next4 (Roberto Macina, CEO) also contribute to the IKIGAI mentor network.
- SaiHub (Fondazione SaiHub)coreCo-creator of the Validation Lab program and collaborator on Summer Camp and Scuola programs. Described as a partnership combining entrepreneurial method, advanced competencies and rigor in designing innovative solutions.
- EuricsecoreResearch partner for the IKIGAI Social Hub program, contributing expertise on social enterprises, cooperation and local development (Giulia Galera is a senior researcher at Euricse and an IKIGAI mentor).
- Università di Siena (UniSi)coreAcademic partner providing the Legal Clinic (Prof. Iacopo Donati's 'Diritto delle Startup e Venture Capital' chair) for company structuring, contracts, and work-for-equity support. UniSi also collaborates on the Scuola summer school (Life Sciences modules via Fondazione SaiHub). Multiple UniSi professors serve as IKIGAI mentors (Casprini, Maraghini, Frullanti, Zanni).
- Università di Siena (UniSi) - Scuola summer schoolminorCo-developed the Scuola summer school with Fondazione SaiHub, including modules on AI and Life Sciences.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IKIGAI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- H-FARM: Italian innovation platform and early-stage investor/accelerator based in Veneto. Most directly comparable to IKIGAI as a domestic Italian hub combining pre-acceleration, acceleration, education and corporate venture — though operating at materially larger scale and with VC capital rather than foundation grants.
- Nana Bianca: Florence-based Italian startup accelerator and seed investor. Highly comparable as a Tuscany-rooted accelerator offering structured programs, mentor networks, and early-stage capital to Italian founders, with similar mid-deal check sizes.
- LVenture Group: Rome-based listed accelerator/seed platform (Borsa Italiana). Closely comparable as a formal Italian early-stage accelerator running structured programs and providing capital, mentoring and follow-on support to early-stage Italian startups.
- PoliHub: Startup district of Politecnico di Milano. Comparable as a structured Italian accelerator combining pre-acceleration and acceleration tracks with mentor networks, demo days, and seed capital, anchored in a leading Italian academic institution.
- Talent Garden: Italy-founded innovation platform with campuses, education programs, and an investment arm. Comparable to IKIGAI in combining physical coworking, education, and an accelerator/studio model targeted at early-stage Italian founders.
- Cariplo Factory: Milan-based innovation hub backed by Fondazione Cariplo. Comparable to IKIGAI as a foundation-driven Italian innovation hub offering acceleration, open innovation, and ecosystem programs rather than purely commercial VC services.
- SocialFare: Turin-based Italian impact accelerator. Closely comparable to IKIGAI's Social Hub program as a purpose-driven accelerator combining non-dilutive grants, mentoring, and structured support for impact-oriented Italian ventures.
- Impact Hub Milano: Italian node of the global Impact Hub network. Comparable to IKIGAI as a community-driven hub offering incubation, programs, and ecosystem support — particularly aligned with IKIGAI's community-led GTM and mission framing.
Broad incumbents
- Plug and Play: Global accelerator and venture platform. Comparable to IKIGAI in providing structured accelerator programs, mentor networks, and corporate partner access, but operating at much larger scale and across verticals globally.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network with European presence. Comparable to IKIGAI as a 13-week-style structured accelerator with mentor-driven methodology, seed investment, and follow-on support, but at much larger scale and without IKIGAI's foundation-funded grant overlay.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IKIGAI social profiles
Digital presenceIKIGAI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IKIGAI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
IKIGAI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IKIGAI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments56 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IKIGAI
What does IKIGAI do?
IKIGAI is a Siena-based innovation hub that runs pre-acceleration and acceleration programs for startups (investing up to €30K per startup via a combination of non-repayable grants and SAFE agreements), talent scholarships for individuals aged 18–35 in Siena/Arezzo/Grosseto, and €6K non-repayable grants for social-impact projects. Programs are supported by an 85+ mentor network, a University of Siena Legal Clinic, coworking space, and free Validation Lab and Scuola outreach initiatives.
Is IKIGAI a public or private company?
IKIGAI is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was IKIGAI founded?
IKIGAI was founded in 2022. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is IKIGAI based?
IKIGAI is headquartered in Siena, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does IKIGAI make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Foundation and public grants are the primary driver. The others are SAFE investments in portfolio startups, non-repayable grants (a fondo perduto) and talenti non-repayable scholarships.
Who are IKIGAI's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are H-FARM, Nana Bianca, LVenture Group, PoliHub, Talent Garden, Cariplo Factory, SocialFare and Impact Hub Milano. Broad incumbents are Plug and Play and Techstars.
Does IKIGAI have an API?
No public API is recorded for IKIGAI.
What industry is IKIGAI in?
IKIGAI's product category is Startup Incubator and Accelerator Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAB, K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits, with a secondary code of BPAGADAC, After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.