Assirm
ASSIRM is the Italian non-profit industry association founded in 1991 that represents over 80% of Italy's market research, opinion polling, and social research sector, offering quality certification (Cerqua), professional training, an AI Hub, and the annual Market Research Forum to its member companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersMilan, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Assirm does
ASSIRM (Associazione Italiana Ricerche di Mercato) is a private Italian non-profit association founded in 1991 and headquartered in Milan at C.so Magenta 85. It is the reference industry body for Italian companies conducting market research, opinion polling, and social research, claiming representation of over 80% of the Italian market research sector. The association recruits members through a formal application process reviewed monthly by its Board of Directors and delivers value through a portfolio of programs: the Cerqua quality certification service, the Academy professional training program, the ASSIRMedu outreach initiative targeting young professionals and broader audiences, the Centro Studi e Formazione research center (established December 2005), a comprehensive market research glossary, and the annual Market Research Forum, whose 13th edition in 2026 attracted more than 1,400 professionals, 45 speakers, and 13 thematic workshops.
ASSIRM operates as a member-driven community rather than a technology company, with its core technology consisting of the Cerqua online portal, a member reserved area, and a newsletter system. It has established an AI Hub (Hub IA) to coordinate industry guidance on synthetic data, AI frameworks, and the upcoming ISO 20252 revision, and has published an AI Manifesto titled 'IGNOTA INGREDIMUR.' Quality, ethics and methodology standards (ISO 20252, ICC/ESOMAR International Code, EphMRA Code) are enforced through Cerqua and ASSIRM's quality norms spanning market and social research, sampling, social media research, mystery visiting, crowdsourcing, and product testing. The association is affiliated with ESOMAR (including its Italy Community Circle), is a member of Confindustria Intellect, adheres to Pubblicit\u00e0 Progresso, and works with the University of Padua's ASA on applied statistics.
The business model is a non-profit subscription model. Revenue is generated primarily through recurring annual membership fees paid by Italian market research companies, survey firms, and social research organizations, supplemented by paid professional training courses through the Academy (e.g., the 'Business Acumen' program) and revenue from the hybrid Market Research Forum. Membership benefits include Cerqua certification, Academy access, event participation, industry representation, and inclusion in the ESOMAR international network. Specific fee levels and pricing are not publicly disclosed and are handled during the membership application process.
Assirm firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Assirm
- Legal name
- ASSIRM
- Website
- https://assirm.it
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ASSIRM is the Italian non-profit industry association founded in 1991 that represents over 80% of Italy's market research, opinion polling, and social research sector, offering quality certification (Cerqua), professional training, an AI Hub, and the annual Market Research Forum to its member companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Assirm industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industry Association Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Services (BPAFAKAG)
Keywords
Where Assirm is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milan
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Assirm business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: ASSIRM generates revenue through annual membership fees paid by Italian market research companies, survey firms, and social research organizations. Membership benefits include quality certification (Cerqua), access to the ASSIRM Academy training program, participation in events (Market Research Forum, webinars, ASSIRMedu), and representation within the industry.
- Academy Training & Education: The association offers professional training courses through its Academy, including programs like 'Business Acumen: Il Marketing e le Ricerche di Mercato nelle Fasi di Vita del Prodotto.' Revenue is generated through course fees.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Assirm product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ASSIRM is a member-driven Italian industry association that unites companies conducting market research, opinion polling, and social research. It sells membership services including quality certification via Cerqua, professional training through the ASSIRM Academy, the annual Market Research Forum conference, the ASSIRMedu communication and education project, the Centro Studi research and publication center, and a comprehensive Italian-language market research glossary.
Product overview
ASSIRM is an Italian market research association (Associazione Italiana Ricerche di Mercato) founded in 1991 that serves as the primary reference point for market, opinion, and social research in Italy. The organization operates as a professional association rather than a product company, offering a portfolio of services including: quality certification through Cerqua, professional training via the Academy, industry education through ASSIRMedu, research publications through the Centro Studi, an annual Market Research Forum conference, and a comprehensive industry glossary. The association represents over 80% of the Italian market research sector and is affiliated with ESOMAR.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cerqua Quality Certification Quality certification service provided to ASSIRM member companies to attest their adherence to ASSIRM's professional and ethical standards in market research operations. Cerqua functions as a third-party verified mark that research buyers use to identify certified research providers.
- ASSIRM Academy (Formazione) Professional training program offering high-quality, accessible professional development courses for current and future market research practitioners, including programs such as 'Business Acumen: Il Marketing e le Ricerche di Mercato nelle Fasi di Vita del Prodotto' and the 'Parla con l'esperto' webinar series.
- Market Research Forum (MRF) Annual flagship conference of ASSIRM bringing together industry professionals, institutions, brands, universities, and experts for knowledge sharing and networking. The 13th edition (MRF26) attracted over 1,400 professionals, 45 speakers, and 13 thematic workshops.
- Centro Studi e Formazione ASSIRM Research and study center established in December 2005 to develop professional culture in Market and Social Research, promote its image and value among clients and the public, and publish studies and reports on market research trends.
- ASSIRMedu Communication Project Communication project designed to bring market research closer to a wider audience, particularly companies and young professionals, and to disseminate research culture in a direct and accessible manner through talks and outreach events.
- Glossario ASSIRM Comprehensive A-Z glossary of frequently used terms in marketing research, covering definitions from Action Standard to Z-scores, serving as an educational reference resource for industry professionals, students, and researchers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,400 professionals and 45 speakers at the 2026 Market Research Forum, with 13 thematic workshops
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Assirm
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Assirm technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Assirm partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- QBerg and Amilon PartnershipminorQBerg (ASSIRM member) and Amilon announced a partnership. QBerg is a data analytics and technology company, while Amilon is a promotions and loyalty platform.
- QBerg and Tuidi PartnershipminorQBerg (ASSIRM member) and Tuidi entered into a partnership worth €3 million in the large-scale retail (GDO) sector for data analytics and research services.
- Circana and The European Foodservice SummitminorCircana (ASSIRM member, formerly IRI Information Resources) reinforced its partnership with The European Foodservice Summit.
- ESOMAR (European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research)coreASSIRM is affiliated with ESOMAR, the International Market Research Association, and participates in ESOMAR Italy Community Circle events. The association adheres to the ICC/ESOMAR International Code and EphMRA Code of Conduct.
- Confindustria IntellectcoreASSIRM is a member of Confindustria Intellect, the Italian employers' federation for the knowledge and intellectual services industry, representing the association within the broader Italian industrial confederation.
- Pubblicità ProgressominorASSIRM adheres to Pubblicità Progresso, an Italian organization promoting ethical advertising and social responsibility in communications.
- ASA (Associazione per la Statistica Applicata)minorASSIRM works with ASA (University of Padua) on statistical methodology and applied statistics standards relevant to market research practices.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Assirm competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- The Research Society: Australia's peak industry body for market, social, and opinion research. Same professional-association model as ASSIRM, serving the Australian market.
- Insights Association (formerly CASRO): Leading US trade association for the market research and insights industry. Same advocacy, standards, and training role as ASSIRM, focused on the US market.
- AEDEMO (Asociación Española de Estudios de Mercado): Spanish market research association with the same national-association structure and member-firm model as ASSIRM; not directly competitive but a regional analogue.
Direct peers
- ESOMAR: Global industry association for market, opinion, and social research. ASSIRM is an ESOMAR affiliate, adheres to the ICC/ESOMAR International Code, and participates in ESOMAR Italy Community Circles — a direct analogous peer at international scope.
- EFAMRO: European Federation of Associations of Market Research Organisations, of which ASSIRM is a member. Represents the same national-association mission across Europe and is the direct structural peer.
- Syntec Études: French federation representing market research and opinion polling firms. Same mission and membership model, serves as the French counterpart to ASSIRM.
- Market Research Society (MRS): UK's leading professional body for market, social, and opinion research. Closest structural analogue to ASSIRM — same membership-base model, codes, training programs, and annual conference (Research Live).
- BVM (Berufsverband Deutscher Markt- und Sozialforscher): Germany's main market and social research association. Near-identical charter to ASSIRM: member firms, quality standards, training, and advocacy for the German research industry.
Broad incumbents
- EphMRA: European Pharmaceutical Market Research Association — ASSIRM members explicitly adhere to the EphMRA Code of Conduct. Comparable as a sector association with adjacent scope (pharma sub-vertical of market research).
- Intellus Worldwide: Global association for healthcare/medical affairs market research. Compares to ASSIRM as a sector-specific industry body serving pharmaceutical and life sciences research, including its members like Pharma Data Factory.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Assirm social profiles
Digital presenceAssirm financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Assirm leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Assirm funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Assirm M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Assirm
What does Assirm do?
ASSIRM is a member-driven Italian industry association that unites companies conducting market research, opinion polling, and social research. It sells membership services including quality certification via Cerqua, professional training through the ASSIRM Academy, the annual Market Research Forum conference, the ASSIRMedu communication and education project, the Centro Studi research and publication center, and a comprehensive Italian-language market research glossary.
Is Assirm a public or private company?
Assirm is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Assirm founded?
Assirm was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Assirm based?
Assirm is headquartered in Milan, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Assirm make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are academy Training & Education.
Who are Assirm's main competitors?
Regional players on record are The Research Society, Insights Association (formerly CASRO) and AEDEMO (Asociación Española de Estudios de Mercado). Direct peers are ESOMAR, EFAMRO, Syntec Études, Market Research Society (MRS) and BVM (Berufsverband Deutscher Markt- und Sozialforscher). Broad incumbents are EphMRA and Intellus Worldwide.
Does Assirm have an API?
No public API is recorded for Assirm.
What industry is Assirm in?
Assirm's product category is Industry Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAFAKAG, Account-Based Marketing (ABM) Services. Its NAICS code is 813910.