Fondazione Golgi Cenci

What Fondazione Golgi Cenci does

Fondazione Golgi Cenci is an Italian nonprofit research foundation headquartered at Corso San Martino 10, Abbiategrasso (Lombardy), focused on brain aging and neurodegenerative disease research, with a particular emphasis on Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The foundation operates an integrated model that combines population-based research, neuropathology, and biological sciences with direct community services for elderly residents in Abbiategrasso and surrounding areas. It is recognized as the operator of Italy's first Dementia Friendly Community, designated in 2016 under the Alzheimer's Federation Italy program.

The foundation's research portfolio is anchored by the InveCe.Ab longitudinal population study, which tracks approximately 1,700 Abbiategrasso residents born 1935-1939 across five evaluation waves conducted in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2022, generating more than 15 years of cognitive, neuropsychological, medical, and biological data. Its Brain Bank (Banca del Cervello) accepts post-mortem brain tissue and biological samples from neurological patients and healthy controls within a 50 km radius of Abbiategrasso, supporting molecular mapping studies in proteomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics across multiple brain regions. Community-facing services include CeVaC (a free cognitive screening center for adults aged 55 and older) and the Pronto Alzheimer helpline, which delivers psychosocial consultation for families and caregivers in collaboration with Federazione Alzheimer Italia. Additional initiatives include the Molecular Brain Mapping project with IRCCS Neurologico C. Mondino di Pavia, the Remote Testing Abbiategrasso feasibility study, the Cyber Scuola per Nonni digital inclusion program, and the ReteDem.Ab district-level dementia care coordination network.

The foundation is funded entirely through charitable mechanisms rather than commercial fees. Revenue streams comprise individual donations, the Italian 5x1000 tax designation (fiscal code 90023310155), and project-based grants from Italian charitable foundations including Fondazione Serpero, Fondazione Cariplo, Fondazione Comunitaria del Ticino Olona, Fondo di Beneficenza Intesa Sanpaolo, and Fondazione Cattolica. All services delivered to the public (cognitive screening, helpline support, community programming) are provided free of charge. The foundation operates with a staff of 18 from a single facility in Abbiategrasso and reaches its audience primarily through community outreach, scientific publications, conference participation, and partnerships with universities and research institutes including the University of Milan-Bicocca, the University of Bath (UK), and the COSMIC consortium affiliated with UNSW's Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHEBA).

Name

Fondazione Golgi Cenci

Legal name

Fondazione Golgi Cenci

Website

https://golgicenci.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fondazione Golgi Cenci is an Italian nonprofit research foundation in Abbiategrasso conducting brain aging and dementia research through longitudinal population studies, brain banking, and molecular biology, while delivering free cognitive screening, caregiver support, and Italy's first Dementia Friendly Community programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neuroscience Research and Dementia Care

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

akta.pro primary industry

Dementia Companion & Engagement Care (HSABAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dementia & Alzheimer’s Respite Care (HSABAGAF)

Keywords

• Dementia research
• Brain aging studies
• Neurodegenerative disease research
• Cognitive assessment services
• Community dementia care

Headquarters

HQ city

Abbiategrasso

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and charitable contributions from individuals and organizations supporting dementia research and elderly care.
2. 5x1000 Tax Designation: Italian tax mechanism allowing taxpayers to designate 0.5% of income tax to the foundation (Tax Code: 90023310155).
3. Research Grants and Funding: Project-based funding from foundations (Fondazione Serpero, Fondazione Cariplo, Fondo di Beneficenza Intesa Sanpaolo, Fondazione Comunitaria del Ticino Olona, Fondazione Cattolica) for specific research initiatives.
4. Free Services Model: Services provided free of charge to the community (CeVaC, Pronto Alzheimer), supported by grants and donations rather than service fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Fondazione Golgi Cenci is an Italian nonprofit research foundation that conducts longitudinal population-based research on brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and neurodegenerative dementias. It delivers free community services to elderly residents and caregivers in Abbiategrasso (cognitive screening, dementia helpline, Dementia Friendly Community programs) and operates a post-mortem brain bank plus biological research program supporting molecular studies of dementia.

Product overview

Fondazione Golgi Cenci is a research foundation focused on brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases, offering a portfolio of interconnected research programs and community services. The core research programs include InveCe.Ab (longitudinal population study on brain aging) and the Brain Bank (brain donation program for scientific research). Service offerings comprise CeVaC (cognitive function evaluation center) and Pronto Alzheimer (phone helpline). Community initiatives include the Dementia Friendly Community Abbiategrasso and Cyber Scuola per Nonni (digital literacy program). Research projects span molecular brain mapping, remote cognitive testing, and the InveCe22 follow-up study. All offerings are directed toward understanding, preventing, and managing dementia and age-related cognitive decline.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dementia Friendly Community Abbiategrasso (DFC): Community initiative to reduce stigma and include people with dementia in Abbiategrasso, Italy's first Dementia Friendly city since 2016.
• CeVaC - Centro di Valutazione delle Funzioni Cognitive
• Pronto Alzheimer
• InveCe.Ab - Invecchiamento Cerebrale ad Abbiategrasso
• Banca del Cervello (Brain Bank)
• Cyber Scuola per Nonni

Products and services

• InveCe.Ab (Invecchiamento Cerebrale ad Abbiategrasso) Longitudinal population study on brain aging that evaluates and follows the physical and cognitive conditions of approximately 1,700 Abbiategrasso residents born between 1935 and 1939, with follow-up waves in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2022. Includes cognitive screening, neuropsychological evaluation, medical examinations, and biological sampling.
• Banca del Cervello (Brain Bank)

Quantifiable outcome

• 80.2% participation rate achieved in initial population screening
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Fondazione SerperocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor strategic partner supporting multiple joint research projects since 2021. Equal funding partnership for InveCe22 study on brain aging resilience, Remote Testing Abbiategrasso feasibility study, and Molecular Brain Mapping project. Five-year research plan launched in 2026 to understand and prevent Alzheimer's disease.
• Federazione Alzheimer ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Pronto Alzheimer helpline initiative, operating as Abbiategrasso branch of Italy's first dementia helpline. Also partner in Dementia Friendly Community program under Alzheimer's Society international framework.
• University of Milan-BicoccacoreTechnology or IntegrationInterdisciplinary research collaboration on Aging Societies project. Analysis of social networks, health and well-being of elderly population. Project partner in DIGITAL-AGE analyzing digital, health, and labor market inequalities among old-age population in Italy.
• IRCCS Neurologico C. Mondino di PaviamajorTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration partner in Molecular Brain Mapping project, providing laboratory biological research support for proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of brain tissue samples.
• University of Bath (UK)supportingTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner in Aging in Networked Society project, studying smartphone and social network usage impact on social inclusion and intergenerational relationships of older people.
• COSMIC ConsortiumsupportingTechnology or IntegrationInternational research consortium collaboration on population aging research, affiliated with University of New South Wales Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHEBA).
• IIS Bachelet (Liceo delle Scienze Umane)supportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEducational partnership involving student participation in Dementia Friendly Community initiatives and Cyber School for Grandparents as digital tutors for elderly.
• Pro Loco AbbiategrassosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration on guided visits for people with dementia and families, adapting cultural and historical tours to be accessible and inclusive.
• Confcommercio AbbiategrassosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommercial sector partnership in Dementia Friendly Community initiative, providing dementia awareness training to local merchants and businesses.
• Comune di AbbiategrassosupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMunicipal partnership supporting Dementia Friendly Community initiative and providing ongoing collaboration for elderly care and research activities.
• ASL Milano 1supportingTechnology or IntegrationLocal health authority collaboration, including fast-track referral pathway to CDCD (Centro Disturbi Cognitivi e Demenze) for patients requiring specialist services.
• Amici della BibliotecasupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVolunteer association partnership for 'Alla ricerca della memoria perduta' (In Search of Lost Memory) workshop held at Biblioteca Civica Romeo Brambilla.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BrightFocus Foundation: US nonprofit that funds research on Alzheimer's and other brain diseases. Comparable as a grant-making foundation supporting investigator-led dementia research with donor-driven funding.
• Alzheimer's Association: US-based nonprofit leading Alzheimer's research funding, advocacy, and community-based support programs. Directly comparable as a dementia-focused foundation combining research grants, caregiver helplines, and community awareness initiatives.
• Alzheimer's Research UK: UK dementia research charity funding scientific research and public engagement. Comparable as a national nonprofit foundation funding biomedical and clinical dementia research alongside awareness campaigns.
• Federazione Alzheimer Italia: Italy's leading dementia patient/family association and operator of the original Pronto Alzheimer helpline. Directly comparable as a national Italian nonprofit addressing dementia through helplines, community programs, and advocacy.
• Cure Alzheimer's Fund: US nonprofit funding targeted Alzheimer's research with a venture-philanthropy model. Comparable as a donor-funded research foundation focused specifically on understanding and preventing dementia.
• Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center: US academic research center running longitudinal population-based cohorts on aging and dementia. Comparable to InveCe.Ab as a long-running, multi-wave, population-based study generating dementia biomarkers and risk-factor findings.
• Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research: Alzheimer's research program at Rockefeller University combining basic neuroscience with public education. Comparable as a foundation-led dementia research program with scientific publication output and community engagement.
• IRCCS Mondino Foundation: Italian neurological research institute collaborating with the foundation on the Molecular Brain Mapping project. Comparable as an Italian nonprofit research hospital conducting translational neuroscience and dementia research.

Broad incumbents

• Karolinska Institutet - Aging Research Center: Swedish academic research center running large population-based studies on aging, cognition, and dementia. Comparable as a generator of longitudinal epidemiological data on brain aging at greater scale.
• Allen Institute for Brain Science: US nonprofit research organization generating large-scale brain mapping datasets and tools. Comparable as a nonprofit producing open neuroscience data assets, though at much broader scope than dementia-specific work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCG16u3080M8sa7c4MenBV-g
• Facebookfacebook.com/Fondazione-Golgi-Cenci-1623016007729240
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazione-golgi-cenci
• Instagraminstagram.com/dfc_abbiategrasso

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fondazione Golgi Cenci