What Lifegate Way does

LifeGate Way is the sustainable innovation subsidiary of the Italy-based LifeGate Group, founded in 2021 and headquartered in Milan. It operates as a certified incubator and accelerator dedicated to sustainable-native startups, organized around three pillars: Sustainable Open Innovation (a proprietary framework including the registered 10eLode® card-based tool and the People/Planet/Profit assessment model), an Ecosystem of more than 500 member startups supported by 50+ strategic partnerships, and a Deal Flow practice in which LifeGate Way acts as an institutional investor with 28+ portfolio companies. Programs include Women in Action, Wine in Action (co-developed with Milano Wine Week, €70,000 in-kind value per cohort), People in Action, SmartCityLab, and participation in the Get It impact-investing initiative with Cariplo Factory and Fondazione Social Venture Giordano Dell'Amore.

The company serves three customer segments: sustainable startups (free ecosystem membership and equity-free acceleration), investors and family offices (curated deal flow and the LifeGate media network of 5+ million users), and corporations (sponsored acceleration programs, open innovation challenges, and ESG consulting). Go-to-market combines a self-service digital onboarding platform for startups, a dedicated business development function for corporate clients, and event-driven investor engagement (Startup Barbecue, Speed Dates, Demo Days). Leadership is led by CEO and Founder Omar Fulvio Bertoni, with Enea Roveda (CEO of LifeGate Group and former editorial director of Expo Milano 2015) serving as President.

Monetization rests on five streams: equity investment returns, corporate acceleration program sponsorship, ESG and open-innovation consulting, deal flow access fees, and freemium ecosystem membership. The deliberate equity-free, free-to-startup model aligns with the parent group's mission but constrains near-term revenue, which remains undisclosed. Internationally, the company launched an AICS-funded three-year Senegal project in 2024 with VIS International, marking the first non-Italian geographic initiative.

Name

Lifegate Way

Legal name

LifeGate Way

Website

https://lifegateway.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Short description

LifeGate Way is an Italy-based certified incubator, accelerator, and seed investor that operates the country's largest ecosystem of sustainable-native startups, running equity-free programs, corporate open-innovation consulting, and a deal-flow platform for investors and corporates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Investment Returns: Direct equity investment in high-potential sustainable-native startups. Currently 25+ startups in portfolio supported through mentoring, training, events, and fundraising support. Investments generate returns through exits, follow-on rounds, and portfolio value appreciation.
2. Acceleration Program Services: Free and equity-free acceleration programs (Women in Action, Wine in Action, People in Action, SmartCityLab, etc.) providing training, mentorship, coaching, networking. Value of 70,000€ and 80 hours of services per program (Wine in Action). Programs are sponsored by corporate partners.
3. Corporate Open Innovation Consulting: Advisory and strategy services for corporations seeking sustainable innovation pathways. Services include sustainability footprint and reporting, impact KPIs, media and communication support, community endorsement, networking facilitation.
4. Deal Flow Access Fees: Access to qualified deal flow of sustainable-native startups for investors and corporations. Investors receive constant updates on sustainable finance news and selected deal flow.
5. Ecosystem Membership and Community Services: Free ecosystem membership for startups providing access to networking events, investor introductions, strategic partner connections, and confidential newsletter with updates and opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LifeGate Way is a certified incubator and accelerator that operates Italy's largest sustainable-native startup ecosystem, connecting 500+ sustainable startups with investors and corporations. It runs free, equity-free vertical acceleration programs (Women in Action, Wine in Action, People in Action, SmartCityLab, Get It) and makes direct equity investments in 25+ portfolio companies. The company also delivers corporate open innovation consulting, ESG strategy, deal flow access for investors, and proprietary sustainability assessment services built on the People/Planet/Profit model and 10eLode® tool.

Product overview

LifeGate Way is an ecosystem platform for sustainable startups in Italy, consisting of a certified incubator and accelerator offering multiple programs. The core offering includes the LifeGate Way Ecosystem connecting over 500 sustainable startups with investors and corporations, supported by vertical acceleration programs (Women in Action, Wine in Action, People in Action, SmartCityLab), consulting services (advisory, strategy, sustainability reporting), fundraising support, and proprietary tools like the 10eLode sustainability card deck. Programs are intensive, people-oriented, free and equity-free, providing access to networks of investors, corporations, and professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Women in Action: Women's acceleration program dedicated to women of any age and experience who wish to innovate in environmental, social, and individual sustainability.
• Wine in Action
• People in Action
• SmartCityLab
• Get It

Products and services

• LifeGate Way Ecosystem Core ecosystem platform connecting 500+ sustainable startups with investors and corporations, providing deal flow, acceleration programs, networking, and a 50+ partner network for sustainable-native startups.
• Acceleration Programs Certified, free and equity-free intensive incubation and acceleration programs providing training, mentorship, networking, and access to selected investors, corporations, and professionals. Programs span multiple verticals.
• Women in Action Women's acceleration program for female founders innovating in environmental, social, and individual sustainability, delivering over 100 hours of training, mentorship, and coaching across business support, human sustainability, financial sustainability, and communication.
• Wine in Action First accelerator program dedicated to the wine sector, supporting innovative sustainable startups in viticulture with training, mentorship, networking, and visibility, delivered in collaboration with Milano Wine Week.
• People in Action Six-meeting course for startup founders focused on personal growth, definition of common values and goals, and cultivating a sustainable change mindset, placing people at the center of organizations.
• SmartCityLab
• Sustainable Open Innovation Framework Internally developed open innovation framework with proprietary and registered tools that connects revolutionary startups with visionary corporations for sustainable open innovation engagements.
• Corporate Open Innovation Consulting Strategic consulting and advisory services for corporations pursuing sustainable innovation and ESG objectives, including sustainability footprint, impact KPIs, media and communication support, and community endorsement.
• Fundraising Support Investor matching and partnership development service providing startups access to a broad network of investors across multiple industries for sustainable capital raising.
• 10eLode Sustainability Tool Registered proprietary card-based tool for engaging stakeholders on sustainability strategy, with cards organized across values, trends, objectives, and actions.
• Deal Flow Service Direct equity investment service in high-potential sustainable-native startups, supported by a dedicated deal flow team and providing investors and corporations access to qualified sustainable deal flow.
• Get It Impact Program Empowerment and investment program for social, environmental, and cultural impact startups, delivered in collaboration with Fondazione Social Venture Giordano Dell'Amore and Cariplo Factory, offering incubation, acceleration, mentorship, and investment opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ meetings conducted during single AI Impact Speed Date event
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AllianzminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Global insurance company engaged in sustainability initiatives. Corporate partnership for open innovation and potential insurance-related startup solutions.
• Cariplo FactorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Innovation and acceleration platform from Fondazione Cariplo. Collaboration on impact investing programs including Get It initiative for social, environmental and cultural impact startups.
• PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2024Global professional services firm. Partner for Women in Action (Main Partner) and Wine in Action programs, providing expertise in sustainability reporting, ESG strategy, and business consulting for startups.
• BarillaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Italian food multinational engaged in sustainable food sector innovation. Corporate collaboration for foodtech and sustainability initiatives in the ecosystem.
• Archiva GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Italian technology company active in HR solutions. Partnership contribution to Women in Action program as supporter of women entrepreneurship initiatives.
• SmartCityLab MilanocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Milan-based innovation hub for smart city solutions. Technical partner for acceleration programs, hosting in-person sessions and providing workspace for sustainable innovation initiatives.
• VIS International (Volontariato Internazionale per lo Sviluppo)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024International volunteering for development organization. Coordinator of three-year Senegal project 'Training, Dignity, Inclusion and Innovation' supported by AICS, focusing on skills and entrepreneurship for youth.
• BAGAminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Wine industry association. Partner for Wine in Action acceleration program, providing wine sector expertise and network access.
• BeecominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Sustainability-focused company. Wine in Action partner supporting sustainable wine sector innovation initiatives.
• To-SeedminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Seed-stage investment and acceleration platform. Wine in Action partner providing startup support and investment expertise.
• WineliveryminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Wine delivery platform. Wine in Action partner contributing to wine sector innovation and distribution solutions.
• ShetechminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Technology platform. Women in Action partner supporting women entrepreneurs in technology and innovation sectors.
• CosmicominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Impact-focused organization. Women in Action partner contributing to women's entrepreneurship ecosystem development.
• Underdogs GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Digital marketing and growth hacking agency. Women in Action partner providing expertise in digital strategies and brand growth for women-led startups.
• WOC (Women on Cloud)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Women-focused technology community. Women in Action partner supporting women's visibility and networking in technology sectors.
• Hearts & ScienceminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Media agency. Collaboration partner for Startup Barbecue annual event combining networking, innovation and sustainability.
• DesignTechminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Milan-based design and technology hub. Partner ecosystem providing coworking, workshops and acceleration programs for startups and companies.
• Milano Wine WeekcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Italy's most engaging wine event. Co-creator of Wine in Action, the first acceleration program dedicated to the wine sector, combining Milano Wine Week's wine industry network with LifeGate Way's sustainable innovation expertise.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nana Bianca: Italian acceleration platform headquartered in Florence that runs thematic and open-call programs for Italian startups across multiple verticals. Directly comparable in business model (program-led acceleration) and target founder base (Italian startups seeking scale).
• Cariplo Factory: Italian innovation and acceleration platform founded by Fondazione Cariplo that runs acceleration programs and incubation activities for impact-oriented startups. Comparable as both a partner of LifeGate Way (Get It program) and a directly competing domestic impact accelerator.
• Impact Hub Milano: Italian node of the global Impact Hub network focused on social innovation and impact entrepreneurship. Comparable as a domestic hub providing incubation, acceleration, and community services to impact-oriented startups in the same Milan/Sustainability thesis.
• Italian Angels for Growth (IAG): Prominent Italian business angel network providing early-stage capital to Italian startups. Comparable as a deal-flow intermediary between Italian startups and investors, and is also an explicit LifeGate Way partner for deal-flow access and co-investment.
• Oltre Venture: Italian venture capital firm focused on high-impact social and environmental innovation. Comparable as an impact/ESG-focused VC operating in the Italian sustainable-startup space, providing direct equity and active portfolio support.

Broad incumbents

• Antler: Global early-stage VC and accelerator running programs worldwide including Italy. Comparable as a fund-anchored accelerator combining cohort programs with seed-stage investing and follow-on capital.
• CDP Venture Capital: Italy's state-backed venture capital operator managing multiple funds and accelerator programs. Competes for Italian startup deal flow and acceleration mandates with significantly larger capital base and government backing.
• EIT Climate-KIC: European Union-backed climate innovation accelerator with programs across multiple European geographies. Comparable in sustainability focus and acceleration program model, though operating across a broader pan-European footprint.
• Techstars: Global accelerator network running thematic and industry-specific programs including sustainability/clean-tech verticals. Comparable in accelerator-led model and equity-based investment approach, though operating globally with deeper capital and longer track record.
• Founders Factory: Global accelerator and venture builder that partners with corporates to deliver startup acceleration and co-investment. Comparable in combining corporate open-innovation partnerships with portfolio-level startup support and equity participation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/stefano-alexander-martini

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

Investments1 record

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

Frequently asked questions about Lifegate Way