What POLI.design does

POLI.design (legal name: POLI.design - Società Consortile del Politecnico di Milano) is a private Italian consortium founded in 1999 and domiciled in Milan, operating as the post-graduate and executive training arm of Politecnico di Milano's Design System. It delivers a portfolio of 36 Master's programs and 46 executive courses spanning seven design disciplines — Interior Design and Architecture, Business Design, Cultural Heritage, Fashion Design, Digital and Interaction, Product Design, and Communication Design — supplemented by international summer and winter schools, design competitions (notably the Porada International Design Award), and international study tours timed to Milano Design Week. Adjacent assets include the D\Tank research think tank co-run with Politecnico di Milano's Department of Design, the DOT digital community platform, and the annual Design Economy report co-authored with Fondazione Symbola and Deloitte Private.

The portfolio is structured around three recurring product lines: (i) post-graduate Master's programs with capped cohort sizes of nine seats and early-bird tuition discounts of 15%, 10%, or €1,000; (ii) Executive Courses for working professionals, distributed directly and through the Edenred corporate welfare platform; and (iii) Services for Organizations covering Learning & Talent Development, Innovation through Design, and Design Ecosystem & Networking. Revenue streams mix individual tuition (subscription-style, recurring across cohorts), corporate training and innovation engagements (professional services), competition sponsorship, and short-term international programs. GTM combines community-led recruitment via the parent university's brand and alumni network, event-driven demand generation through design awards and Milano Design Week activations, sales-led motion for enterprise clients, and channel partnerships for cross-border delivery (e.g., IIT Hyderabad in India and IE School of Architecture & Design).

Commercial distribution spans direct campus enrollment in Milan, online and distance learning, regional academic co-delivery partnerships (notably in China, India, and emerging markets), and corporate welfare channels. The organization is ISO 9001:2015 certified, accredited by the Lombardy Region, and compliant with Italian Legislative Decree 231/2001. Leadership comprises Anna Barbara (President of the Board of Directors, 2023–2026 term), Matteo O. Ingaramo (CEO/Amministratore Delegato and GDIO Vice President), and Francesco Zurlo (former Presidente). Headcount is reported in the 11–50 band, consistent with a tuition-light consortium model that relies on shared faculty and infrastructure from Politecnico di Milano rather than large in-house headcount.

Name

POLI.design

Legal name

POLI.design - Società Consortile del Politecnico di Milano

Website

https://polidesign.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

POLI.design is a consortium of Politecnico di Milano delivering post-graduate design education through 36 Master's programs and 46 executive courses, plus B2B training, design competitions, and international partnerships for professionals and organizations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Design Education and Professional Training

NAICS

Industrial Design Services (541420), Interior Design Services (54141), Other Specialized Design Services (54149), Graphic Design Services (541430)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Design Colleges (Graphic, Industrial, UX/UI, Interior) (EDAHAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial/Product & Furniture Design (BPAHAKAM), Architecture, Planning & Surveying (AIA, Planning, Land Surveyor CE) (EDAAALAG)

Keywords

• Design education
• Postgraduate master programs
• Executive training
• Corporate design services
• Professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Milano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Post-Graduate Master Programs: Tuition fees from 36 Master programs offering post-graduate design education. Programs include Early Bird discounts (15%, 10%, or €1000) for early enrollment, with limited seats (9 per Master) to create urgency.
2. Executive Courses: Revenue from 46 executive education courses targeting professionals and managers. Courses available through corporate welfare platforms like Edenred, allowing employees to use voucher benefits.
3. International Summer and Winter Schools: Short-term intensive international programs generating revenue from tuition fees.
4. Services for Organizations: Customized training solutions, partnership in education programs, and design consulting services for corporate clients including multinational companies.
5. Design Awards and Competitions: Sponsorship and partnership fees from design competitions such as Porada International Design Award and Kering Generation Award mentorship programs.
6. International Study Tours: Revenue from organizing and hosting international delegations during design events like Milano Design Week, including curated tours and networking activities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

POLI.design delivers post-graduate design education through 36 Master's programs and 46 executive courses spanning seven disciplines (Interior Design and Architecture, Business Design, Cultural Heritage, Fashion Design, Digital and Interaction, Product Design, and Communication Design), with programs delivered at the Milan campus and via distance learning. Beyond individual education, the consortium provides customized corporate services including Learning & Talent Development, Innovation through Design, and Design Ecosystem & Networking engagements, alongside international summer/winter schools and design competitions such as the Porada International Design Award.

Product overview

POLI.design is a consortium of Politecnico di Milano offering a comprehensive portfolio of design education and services. The core offerings include Master Programs (post-graduate degrees across seven design disciplines: Interior Design and Architecture, Business Design, Cultural Heritage, Fashion Design, Digital and Interaction, Product Design, and Communication Design), Executive Courses (professional development including Olfactive Design, Video Identity, Luxury Heritage Management), and Services for Organizations (customized training and partnerships). Additional offerings encompass International Summer/Winter Schools, the DOT digital community platform, the D\Tank research think tank, Design Economy publications, and international design competitions like the Porada International Design Award. The portfolio is unified around the academic excellence of Politecnico di Milano and serves both individual professionals and institutional clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master Programs (Post Laurea) Post-graduate Master programs covering seven design areas: Interior Design and Architecture, Business Design, Cultural Heritage, Fashion Design, Digital and Interaction, Product Design, and Communication Design, offered in partnership with Politecnico di Milano for graduates and career changers seeking design credentials.
• Executive Courses Professional development courses for designers, managers, and design enthusiasts, including specialized courses in Olfactive Design, Video Identity, Luxury Heritage Management, Wine Culture and Design, and UX Research.
• Services for Organizations Customized training solutions, educational partnerships, networking and design activities, and contest / event organization for businesses and institutions seeking to strengthen their positioning in the design world.
• International Summer and Winter Schools Intensive short programs offering international design education experiences for international students, including collaborations such as the Design Immersion Summer Course with IE School of Architecture & Design.
• Design Competitions International design competitions organized by POLI.design, including the Porada International Design Award (focusing on tables and sofas) with patronage of ADI, and mentorship in the Kering Generation Award (jewelry sustainability) and Smart Label Host Innovation Award.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• KeringmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026POLI.design provides mentorship for the startups category winner of Kering's 2026 Generation Award x Jewelry (theme: 'Second Chance, First Choice' focused on sustainability). The award reflects Kering's investment in sustainability-focused talent.
• IIT HyderabadmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 December 2025IIT Hyderabad's Department of Design launched an International Certificate Programme in Integrated Product–Service System (IPSS) Design, developed in collaboration with POLI.design. Supported by the Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The 54-hour online program combines 30 hours of live modules and 24 hours of hands-on workshops, starting January 2026.
• Politecnico di MilanocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOLI.design is a consortium (Società Consortile) of Politecnico di Milano, providing design education and research in connection with business dynamics. The relationship includes shared faculty, curriculum development, and brand association.
• Porada Arredi SrlmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Porada International Design Award, an international design competition organized by POLI.design and Porada Arredi Srl. Multiple editions (2023, 2025, 2026) with topics like tables (2026) and sofas (2025). Patrons include ADI, Associazione per il Disegno Industriale.
• Fondazione Italia CinamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic agreement for the promotion of Italian design culture in China, supporting cross-cultural design education and industry collaboration.
• NTT DATAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement signed between NTT DATA, Politecnico di Milano, and POLI.design to address innovative topics of technology and design in research and training.
• Beijing Normal University School of Future DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for design education collaboration, signed agreement for joint programs and knowledge exchange.
• China Industrial Design Association (CIDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal agreement for industrial design collaboration between Italy and China, promoting design excellence and professional exchange.
• Guangzhou Design WeekmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Partner Country Program of Hainan Design Week 2021, and ongoing cooperation with Guangzhou Design Week, one of China's most influential design events.
• IE School of Architecture & DesignmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollaboration hosting students from IE School of Architecture & Design for Design Immersion Summer Course at POLI.design campus in Milan. Ongoing delegation exchanges.
• Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts (SIVA) and SIVA DeTao School of DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgreement signed for design education collaboration, expanding POLI.design's network in Chinese higher education.
• Institute for The Future (IFTF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to launch 'Designing Sustainable Futures' course starting in 2022, aimed at training leaders to design a sustainable future.
• Moleskine FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for the promotion of international design activities and projects.
• ADI - Associazione per il Disegno IndustrialecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADI (Association for Industrial Design) provides patronage for POLI.design initiatives including Porada International Design Award. ADI Design Museum collaboration for video installations.
• Indo-Italian Chamber of Commerce and IndustrymajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupports international programs like IIT Hyderabad collaboration, facilitating Indo-Italian business and education connections.
• EdenredmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate welfare platform making POLI.design Executive courses available to employees through voucher-based purchasing.
• Heidelberg MaterialsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on 'Sustainable Concrete Futures' microlearning project and roundtable on CO2 reduction and urban heat island mitigation.
• D\Tank (Think Tank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerD\Tank is a think tank created by Dipartimento di Design del Politecnico di Milano and POLI.design to promote design as a tool for transforming advanced research into practice.
• Mediaset/Gruppo MediasetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Video Identity – Systems of Dynamic Communication for the Industry course, a training program for digital communication professionals.
• INTERNI Magazine (Gruppo Mondadori)minorGTM or Marketing Partner'Design Experience' online courses on furniture and interiors topics, developed with INTERNI magazine, a publication of Gruppo Mondadori.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pratt Institute: New York-based design school offering Master's programs in industrial design, interior design, and communication design. Comparable peer in premium design education with strong corporate partnerships and continuing professional education offerings.
• Domus Academy: Milan-based post-graduate design school offering Master's programs across product, fashion, interior, and interaction design. Most direct competitor given same city, similar program structure, and overlapping target audience of career-changers and design professionals seeking Italian design credentials.
• SPD - Scuola Politecnica di Design: Milan-based design school offering Master's and professional courses in product, interior, transportation, and visual design. Closely comparable peer given shared Milan location, similar Master's program structure, and overlapping target audience of design graduates and career-changers.
• IED - Istituto Europeo di Design: Italian design school network offering undergraduate, post-graduate, and continuing design education across fashion, design, visual arts, and communication. Comparable in curriculum breadth and target segments (career changers, professionals, corporate clients), with similar Italian heritage and international positioning.
• Central Saint Martins (UAL): London-based university college within University of the Arts London offering prestigious design, fashion, and art postgraduate programs. Comparable as a globally recognized design school offering Master's-level credentials with strong industry connections.
• Design Academy Eindhoven: Dutch design school renowned for product and conceptual design education. Comparable as a European design-focused institution offering Bachelor's and Master's programs with strong industry connections and design research reputation.
• Parsons School of Design: The New School's design school in New York offering Master's programs in design, fashion, and strategic design & management. Comparable peer in the premium design education segment with corporate partnerships and industry-aligned curriculum.
• Royal College of Art: London-based postgraduate-only university specializing in art and design. Comparable peer in elite design education with strong industry partnerships, international student body, and similar Master's-focused program structure.
• ECAL - École cantonale d'art de Lausanne: Swiss art and design university offering programs in industrial, graphic, and media design. Comparable European peer in design higher education with strong international reputation and industry-aligned curriculum.
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Premier US art and design college offering graduate programs across multiple design disciplines. Comparable as a globally recognized design school with industry partnerships, executive education, and corporate continuing education programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/POLI_design
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/POLIdesign
• Facebookfacebook.com/polidesignmilano
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polidesign-milano
• Instagraminstagram.com/polidesign

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 POLI.design