Cooperativa sociale independent L.

What Cooperativa sociale independent L. does

Cooperativa sociale independent L. is a non-profit social cooperative (Onlus) founded in 1997 and headquartered in Merano, South Tyrol, Italy, that promotes independent living and accessibility for people with physical, sensory, and learning disabilities. It operates a multidisciplinary consulting team of social workers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, industrial engineers, and web accessibility specialists, delivering services free of charge to end users. Its core physical assets are the Ausilioteca, a permanent assistive-technology showroom established in 2002, and i-LAB, a model smart-home apartment for testing domotics solutions. Digital products include the 'Südtirol für alle / Alto Adige per tutti' portal and mobile app containing approximately 1,000 verified accessibility records and 600+ accessible facilities across 116 South Tyrolean municipalities, the Parkplatzfinder parking app with IoT-enabled live occupancy data, the 'Move to Cargo' cargobike-sharing service, and a Webcenter offering digital accessibility audits.

The cooperative is officially commissioned by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and the Burgraviato Comprensoriale to manage the provincial Consulting Center for People with Physical Disabilities and the Competence Center for Assistive Technologies, and since 2015 has held a convention with the South Tyrolean Healthcare Company (ASL) for assistive-technology consulting. Revenue derives primarily from public institutional contracts and EU project co-financing (Interreg Italy-Austria PLACES and GATE, ESF+ IDEA and GroWin, NextGenerationEU SuCoLo), supplemented by private sponsorships (Volksbank, 2026) and Italian 'Cinque per mille' (5x1000) tax designations. The cooperative is ISO 9001 certified since 2001, AgID-accredited for digital accessibility since 2017, and a member of European networks ENIL, ENAT, GLIC, CERPA, and DPI; it has trained more than 100 people with disabilities through professional retraining courses since 1999 and is currently expanding into medical-device-adjacent solutions (PIPO, 2026) and the national IT-Wallet digital identity program.

Name

Cooperativa sociale independent L.

Legal name

Cooperativa sociale independent L. onlus

Website

https://independent.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cooperativa sociale independent L. is an Italian non-profit social cooperative in Merano, South Tyrol, that delivers assistive-technology consulting, disability advisory services, accessibility audits, and the 'Südtirol für alle' accessible-tourism platform for people with disabilities and public institutions across the province.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability and Accessibility Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)

Keywords

• Disability services
• Assistive technology consulting
• Accessible tourism portal
• Barrier removal consulting
• Web accessibility services

Headquarters

HQ city

Merano, Trentino-Alto Adige

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Public Institutional Funding: As a non-profit social cooperative (Onlus), Independent L. is primarily funded through contracts and conventions with public institutions, including the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, the Burgraviato Comprensoriale (district), and the South Tyrolean Healthcare Company (ASL). Services managed on behalf of public bodies (e.g., the consulting center for people with physical disabilities and the assistive technology competence center) are funded through these arrangements.
2. EU Project Financing: Independent L. participates in multiple EU-funded projects (Interreg Italy-Austria, ESF+, NextGenerationEU DUT) that provide project-based co-financing. Projects include PLACES, SuCoLo, GATE, IDEA, GroWin, SMART, and others covering accessibility, tourism, sustainable mobility, and employment integration.
3. Free Advisory Services (Public Good): Core services including consulting, assistive technology advice, and barrier removal counseling are provided free of charge to clients. Revenue is not generated directly from users but through public commissioning.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cooperativa sociale independent L. is a non-profit social cooperative (Onlus) that delivers disability services and accessibility consulting in South Tyrol, Italy. Its core offerings include multidisciplinary consulting on assistive technologies, home adaptation, and disability benefits through its ausilioteca showroom and i-LAB domotics laboratory; web accessibility services (Webcenter); the provincial accessible tourism portal 'Südtirol für alle'; professional training courses for people with disabilities; and EU-funded projects promoting accessibility, sustainable mobility, and inclusive tourism.

Product overview

Cooperativa sociale independent L. operates as a social cooperative offering a comprehensive portfolio of services and projects focused on promoting independent living and accessibility for people with disabilities in South Tyrol. The core offerings include the Ausilioteca (assistive technology exhibition) and i-LAB (model smart home apartment) for technology consulting and testing; Webcenter for digital accessibility services; and the online portal 'Südtirol für alle' providing verified accessibility information. The organization manages multiple EU-funded projects including PLACES (accessible tourism), GATE (accessible tourism technology), SuCoLo (cargo bike logistics), and IDEA (youth empowerment). Additional services encompass professional training courses, home renovation consulting, disability benefits advisory, and apps such as Parkplatzfinder and Move to Cargo sharing service. The organization also provides online questionnaires for assistive technology selection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 people with disabilities trained since 1999 through IT/administrative professional retraining courses.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• La Piccionaia S.C.S.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025La Piccionaia is a strategic partner in the Interreg PLACES project, co-organizing webinars and cultural accessibility initiatives. The cooperative is based in Vicenza and specializes in social and cultural services for people with disabilities.
• Consorzio Turistico del Tarvisiano, Sella Nevea e Passo PramollocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Tourism consortium partner in the PLACES project, working on accessible tourism development in the Tarvisio area (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) alongside Independent L. and other partners.
• Landesmuseum für KärntencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Austrian museum and partner in the PLACES project, working on digital accessibility and cultural inclusion in Carinthia (Klagenfurt) as part of the cross-border Interreg Italy-Austria initiative.
• Kärnten WerbungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Carinthian tourism marketing organization and PLACES project partner, collaborating on accessible tourism promotion and digital accessibility solutions across the Austria-Italy border.
• STA – Südtiroler Transportstrukturen AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe South Tyrolean transport infrastructure company (in-house company of the province) collaborates with Independent L. on multiple projects including the SuCoLo cargo bike sharing service (Move to Cargo) and accessibility assessments of railways and EV charging stations.
• Salzburg Research (Lead Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salzburg research institute leads the EU SuCoLo project (NextGenerationEU DUT) on sustainable and inclusive bicycle logistics. Independent L. contributes accessibility assessments and VR tours for the Merano pilot site.
• CERPA – Centro di Ricerca e Promozione dell'AccessibilitàcoreTechnology or IntegrationSince 2012, Independent L. has been a contractual network partner of CERPA, participating in cross-border expertise sharing on accessibility and contributing to the development of the PEBA (architectural barrier elimination plan) for the Fortezza fortress under the PLACES project.
• ENIL – European Network on Independent LivingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent L. has been a member of ENIL (European Network on Independent Living) since 1999, an organization of people with disabilities founded in Strasbourg that advocates for the application of independent living principles.
• GLIC – Rete Italiana dei Centri di Consulenza sugli AusilicoreTechnology or IntegrationSince its founding, Independent L. has been an active member of GLIC, the interregional network of Italian assistive technology consulting centers, exchanging technical-scientific knowledge and collaborating on assistive devices for people with disabilities.
• ENAT – European Network for Accessible TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2010, Independent L. has been a permanent member of ENAT, the European Network for Accessible Tourism, facilitating cross-border information exchange on accessibility projects and events.
• DPI – Disabled People's InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2004, Independent L. has been affiliated with Disabled People's International, a global network supporting national organizations working for the rights, equal opportunities, and social inclusion of people with disabilities.
• VolksbankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolksbank has entered into a two-year sponsorship agreement with Independent L. (announced July 2026), supporting the cooperative's mission and activities in disability services and accessibility in South Tyrol.
• Autonome Provinz Bozen – SüdtirolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Autonomous Province of Bolzano is the primary public commissioning body for Independent L., funding the management of disability consulting centers and the 'Südtirol für alle' portal, and co-financing multiple EU projects.
• Fraunhofer ItaliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Independent L. on the 'MeranSmart' project to identify citizen needs for a smart city initiative, including specific inputs from people with disabilities.
• IDM SüdtirolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe South Tyrolean innovation and marketing agency collaborates with Independent L. on promoting accessible tourism in the province through the 'Südtirol für alle' portal.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Handy Superabile: Italian accessible-tourism information service providing verified accessibility data on accommodations, beaches, and facilities across Italy. Closely comparable on the accessible-tourism portal/app dimension and on surveying methodology for accessibility verification.
• Fondazione ASPHI Onlus: Italian non-profit foundation promoting social inclusion through ICT and assistive technologies in education and employment. Directly comparable as an Italian assistive-tech and accessibility specialist serving people with disabilities through consulting, training, and digital solutions.
• FIABA Onlus: Italian Federation focused on removing digital barriers and promoting ICT accessibility for people with disabilities. Comparable in offering digital accessibility assessment, training, and advocacy services under Italian accessibility law (Legge Stanca).
• Fondazione Italiana Superamento dell'Handicap (FISH): Italian disability rights umbrella organization coordinating associations and advocacy on independent living, accessibility, and inclusion. Comparable on the policy-advocacy and consulting dimension rather than service delivery.
• Anffas Onlus: National Italian federation of associations for people with intellectual and relational disabilities. Comparable as a multi-service disability non-profit delivering consulting, social support, training, and advocacy across Italy.

Broad incumbents

• ENAT - European Network for Accessible Tourism: European non-profit network promoting accessible tourism through research, advocacy, and the Pantou directory. Comparable as the umbrella for accessible-tourism knowledge and infrastructure on which Independent L.'s 'Südtirol für alle' portal is listed.
• La Nostra Famiglia - IRCCS E. Medea: Italian non-profit specialized in rehabilitation and care for children and young people with disabilities. Comparable on multidisciplinary disability services and family-facing consulting, though broader in clinical scope than Independent L.
• ENIL - European Network on Independent Living: Europe-wide network of independent living centers and disability rights organizations. Comparable as an institutional hub for independent-living advocacy, accessibility, and cross-border knowledge exchange in which Independent L. is itself a member since 1999.

Regional players

• Centro Ausili Regione Emilia-Romagna (CAre): Regional Italian assistive-technology consulting center part of the GLIC network. Directly comparable as a publicly commissioned AT center offering showroom, advising, and training, but operating in a different Italian region.

Others

• Centro Antidiscriminazione Franco Bomprezzi - LEDHABA: Italian antidiscrimination center active in the disability space. Thematically related as an adjacent operator focused on rights and discrimination rather than assistive-tech delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CoopIndependent
• Facebookfacebook.com/independentmerano
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cooperativa-independent

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cooperativa sociale independent L.