What Search On Media Group does

Search On Media Group S.r.l. is a privately held Italian media and events company founded in 2006 and headquartered in Bologna, organized into four Business Units: Search On | Consulting (AI & Digital Marketing Agency offering advertising, media planning, inbound marketing, business intelligence, and AI strategy), Search On | Event Agency (custom corporate events, trade fairs, and festivals supported by a proprietary digital platform for virtual and hybrid events and the internal Ibrida CRM), Search On | EduTech (training division operating Accademia Search On, proprietary events, and the Master Uninettuno in Digital Marketing), and Search On | Open Innovation (startup accelerator and open innovation services for corporates, VCs, and accelerators).

The group monetizes through four revenue streams: professional services fees from consulting and event organization; advertising and sponsorship revenue from flagship events (anchored by Philip Morris International, Dell Technologies, and Intel as Main Sponsors of WMF 2026); training and education fees from Accademia Search On seminars priced at €379-€759 + IVA and ticket sales for events; and open innovation service fees from startup scouting, mentoring, and corporate innovation programs. WMF (We Make Future), the flagship International Certified Fair on AI, Technology, and Digital Innovation held at BolognaFiere, is the primary demand-generation and brand asset, reaching 73,000+ attendees from 90+ countries in 2025 and serving as the platform for the AI Global Summit, the WMF International Startup Competition, and partnerships with NVIDIA, OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, and the European Commission.

Distribution combines direct enterprise sales for sponsorship and consulting, a self-serve ticketing platform (ticket.searchon.it) for training and events, and a channel/ecosystem model for open innovation distributed through 157+ international VCs and 1,000+ innovation partners. Geographic footprint is expanding from Italy into Saudi Arabia via the Saudi Makes Future initiative in Riyadh (December 2026), supported by an Italian-Saudi bilateral agreement and partnerships with PNG Saudi and Jusur International. The company is founder-led (CEO Cosmano Lombardo) with no disclosed institutional funding.

Name

Search On Media Group

Legal name

Search On Media Group S.r.l.

Website

https://searchon.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Search On Media Group is a Bologna-based Italian media company operating four business units — consulting, event agency, EduTech, and open innovation — anchored by the WMF (We Make Future) flagship innovation fair, serving enterprises, startups, and professionals across AI and digital transformation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marketing Consulting & Event Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Media Buying Agencies (54183), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Media Planning, Buying & Optimization (BPAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Search Engine Marketing (SEM) / Paid Search (PPC) (BPAFACAA), Full-Service Media Planning & Buying (MPAAABAA)

Keywords

• Digital marketing consulting
• Corporate event management
• Professional training programs
• Open innovation services
• Startup ecosystem services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bologna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consulting Services: AI & Digital Marketing Agency providing advertising, media planning, inbound marketing, business intelligence and AI strategy services to businesses
2. Event Organization: Event Agency services for corporate meetings, trade fairs, and festivals including format creation, promotion, staging, logistics, and production. Revenue from ticket sales and event participation fees
3. Training and Education: EduTech unit providing training courses, academy programs, and proprietary events. Revenue from course fees, seminar sales (e.g., SEO For AI at 379€+IVA, La SEO nel mondo dell'AI at 759€+IVA), and training programs
4. Open Innovation Services: Mentoring, training for startups, scouting for VCs and accelerators, open innovation activities for corporations, vertical calls and events. Revenue from service fees and partnership arrangements
5. Event Sponsorship: Sponsorship revenue from major corporate sponsors at WMF events (Philip Morris International, Dell Technologies, Intel as Main Sponsors for WMF 2026)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Search On Media Group is an Italian digital media group organized into four business units: Consulting (AI and digital marketing agency services), Event Agency (corporate event design and proprietary digital event platform), EduTech (training academy and proprietary events), and Open Innovation (startup ecosystem and venture network). The group produces flagship events including WMF - We Make Future, AI Festival, and Bologna Tech Week, and connects a network of 5,000+ startups, 1,000+ open innovation players, and 157+ international VCs.

Product overview

Search On Media Group is a diversified Italian technology and media group organized into four Business Units: Search On | Consulting (AI & Digital Marketing Agency), Search On | Event Agency (Event Agency & Digital Platform), Search On | EduTech (Training, Tech Academy, and Proprietary Events), and Search On | Open Innovation (Open Innovation & Startup Accelerator). The group's proprietary events portfolio is anchored by WMF - We Make Future (International AI, Technology, and Digital Innovation Fair and Festival), alongside AI Festival, Bologna Tech Week, Search Marketing Connect, Social Media Strategies, Advanced SEO Tool, and Artificial Intelligence Fair. The EduTech division operates the Accademia Search On (professional training academy offering on-demand seminars including SEO For AI, AI Agents per Agenzie, SuperTech AI, AI per l'Editoria, and La SEO nel mondo dell'AI) and the Master Uninettuno in Digital Marketing. The Open Innovation unit manages initiatives including the WMF International Startup Competition, Open Innovation Fest, Startup District, Innovation Night, and I2B - Impact to Business. The Event Agency also provides a Talent Roster of international speakers for corporate events and academies. The group has been operating since 2007, serving as a bridge between innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Search On | Consulting AI and Digital Marketing Agency providing advertising, media planning, inbound marketing, business intelligence, and AI strategy services to help enterprise clients achieve their digital objectives.
• Search On | Event Agency Event Agency designing and organizing custom corporate meetings, trade fairs, and festivals, managing concept, promotion, staging, logistics, and production with a proprietary digital platform for virtual or hybrid events.
• Search On | EduTech Training division operating in the education sector, organizing proprietary events, fairs, festivals, and training courses to promote digital culture growth and business acceleration through B2B events and trade shows.
• Search On | Open Innovation Open Innovation and Startup Accelerator connecting startups, VC funds, accelerators, and corporations in technology innovation, offering mentoring, training, internationalization support, fundraising facilitation, and open innovation activities through the WMF ecosystem.
• WMF - We Make Future International Certified Fair and Festival on Artificial Intelligence, Technology, and Digital Innovation, held annually at BolognaFiere, spanning 3 days with over 100 training events, business sessions, networking, shows, and entertainment.
• AI Festival International event dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, exploring new paradigms and practical applications across multiple industries and sectors, examining ethical and social implications of AI.
• Bologna Tech Week City-wide innovation festival transforming Bologna into an open innovation laboratory focused on topics including Artificial Intelligence and Digital-Tech, Automotive, Tourism, and Food.
• Accademia Search On Professional training academy offering advanced seminars and courses on AI, Digital Marketing, and SEO, with the Academic Year 2025/2026 dedicated to AI. Operates both in-person and on-demand online with industry practitioners as mentors.
• 7Formazione Free training initiative on Digital and Web Marketing, making professional development accessible to a broad audience.
• Master Uninettuno - Digital Marketing e Communication Strategy University-level master's program in Digital Marketing and Communication Strategy offered in partnership with Uninettuno.
• Search On | Talent Roster Talent management service providing international and national innovation speakers and experts for events, summits, conferences, workshops, and corporate academies in AI, technology, digital, and social innovation.
• Search Marketing Connect Advanced event for Digital Marketing professionals covering the latest strategies and tools in search and digital advertising.
• Social Media Strategies Event for Social Media and Web Marketing professionals focusing on social media strategy and digital engagement.
• Advanced SEO Tool Advanced event focused on SEO tools and search engine optimization techniques for digital professionals.
• Artificial Intelligence Fair International fair dedicated to Artificial Intelligence, showcasing AI solutions and innovations across industries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,000,000 people trained on digital topics since 2007
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered main sponsor, key participant, contributor, patronage, key partner, flagship and ecosystem.

• Philip Morris Internationalmain sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 June 2026Philip Morris International serves as a Main Sponsor of WMF 2026, anchoring the commercial lineup alongside Dell Technologies and Intel.
• Dell Technologiesmain sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 June 2026Dell Technologies is a Main Sponsor and premium sponsor of WMF 2026, providing major commercial support for the event.
• Intelmain sponsorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 June 2026Intel serves as a Main Sponsor and premium sponsor of WMF 2026, anchoring the commercial sponsorship lineup.
• NVIDIAkey participantTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026NVIDIA is a featured participant in the WMF AI Global Summit 2026, presenting alongside other leading AI companies. NVIDIA contributes to discussions on artificial intelligence scenarios, applications, and governance.
• Anthropickey participantTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026Anthropic participates in the WMF AI Global Summit 2026 as a leading AI company contributor to international AI discussions and governance frameworks.
• OpenAIkey participantTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026OpenAI has confirmed speaker representation at WMF 2026 and AI Global Summit, contributing to discussions on AI scenarios and governance alongside NVIDIA and Anthropic.
• Microsoftkey participantTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026Microsoft has confirmed executive participation at WMF AI Global Summit 2026, contributing to AI industry discussions and technology governance panels.
• Googlekey participantTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026Google participates as a featured company at WMF AI Global Summit 2026 with confirmed speaker representation.
• AMDkey participantTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026AMD contributes to WMF AI Global Summit 2026 as part of the executive representation from major technology companies.
• Lenovokey participantTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026Lenovo has confirmed participation as a featured company at WMF AI Global Summit 2026.
• IIT (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)contributorTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026IIT contributes research expertise to the WMF AI Global Summit 2026 alongside CINECA and ESA Φ-lab.
• CINECAcontributorTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026CINECA provides research institution contributions to WMF AI Global Summit 2026.
• ESA Φ-labcontributorTechnology or Integration · 3 April 2026European Space Agency Φ-lab contributes to WMF AI Global Summit 2026 research discussions.
• European CommissionpatronageGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2026WMF operates under the patronage of the European Commission, providing institutional legitimacy and support for the innovation event.
• Emilia-Romagna RegionpatronageGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 February 2026WMF operates under the patronage of the Emilia-Romagna Region, supporting the regional innovation ecosystem.
• Startup World Cupkey partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 February 2026WMF International Startup Competition winner advances to the Startup World Cup Grand Finale in San Francisco for a $1 million investment prize opportunity.
• PNG SaudiflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2025PNG Saudi is a key partner in the Saudi Makes Future collaboration, working with Search On Media Group to establish Riyadh as a global hub for AI and digital transformation. The main conference is scheduled for December 14-16, 2026 in Riyadh.
• Jusur InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 November 2025Jusur International collaborates with Search On Media Group on Saudi Makes Future initiative to bring the WMF format to Riyadh, supporting bilateral economic and technological cooperation.
• Italian GovernmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025Italy and Saudi Arabia signed a strategic agreement during a high-level Saudi mission to Italy, focused on advancing artificial intelligence and innovation through the Saudi Make Future event in Riyadh in December 2026.
• Saudi GovernmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025Saudi Arabia collaborated with Italy on AI advancement through the Saudi Makes Future initiative, with bilateral economic and technological cooperation agreements.
• Plug and Play Tech CenterecosystemStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal innovation platform partner supporting startup ecosystem development and open innovation initiatives.
• Cariplo FactoryecosystemStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian innovation and acceleration platform contributing to startup ecosystem development.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Digital Magics: Italian startup accelerator and open innovation platform, highly comparable to Search On | Open Innovation's startup scouting, mentoring, and VC matchmaking services.
• Reply S.p.A. Italian-listed digital transformation and systems integration consultancy with comparable AI, digital marketing, and event-driven brand presence in Italy and across Europe.
• Growth Tribe: European EdTech providing AI and digital skills training to professionals and corporates, directly comparable to Accademia Search On's seminar and academy offerings.
• Webedia: European digital media and event group operating content verticals, marketing services, and proprietary tech events with a multi-brand portfolio model similar to Search On's four-BU structure.
• Jakala: Italian martech and data-driven marketing services company offering digital transformation, media planning, and AI services to enterprise clients, overlapping directly with Search On's Consulting BU.
• The Next Web (TNW): Tech media and event operator running large-scale tech conferences and startup competitions across Europe, comparable to WMF's flagship event and Startup Competition model.

Broad incumbents

• Cvent: Global event management platform serving enterprise event organizers with software, registration, and hybrid event tooling — overlapping with Search On | Event Agency's proprietary event platform capability.
• Web Summit: Operator of the world's largest tech conferences (Web Summit, Web Summit Rio, Web Summit Qatar), competing with WMF for global tech event sponsorship and attendee share.
• Publicis Groupe: Global advertising holding company with media planning, buying, and digital transformation capabilities at scale; competes broadly with Search On's consulting services for enterprise marketing budgets.

Regional players

• Talent Garden: European digital skills education and innovation campus network with strong Italian presence, adjacent to Search On's EduTech and Open Innovation BUs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/search-on-media-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Search On Media Group