Fondazione ITS MAKER ACADEMY

What Fondazione ITS MAKER ACADEMY does

Fondazione ITS MAKER Academy is a non-profit foundation (Fondazione) established in 2015 and headquartered in Bologna, Italy, providing two-year post-diploma technical higher education in mechanics, mechatronics, motorsports, and packaging. The institution operates across nine campuses in Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Faenza, Forlì, Fornovo di Taro, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, and Rimini) and runs 22 courses across five specialization areas: Automation and Mechatronics, Design and Materials, Automotive and Engines, Technical Sales, and Digital Industry 4.0. Programs span approximately 2,000 hours over two years, with over 40% of hours delivered as internships and over 70% of instructors drawn from industry. The curriculum leverages industry-standard equipment including Siemens and Omron PLCs, SolidWorks and AutoCAD, robotic systems, IIoT infrastructure, AI for industrial applications, Digital Twin, and additive manufacturing. The academy reported a 95% post-graduation employment rate and 65% permanent contract placement as of January 2026.

The foundation's business model is primarily publicly funded through Region Emilia-Romagna and MIUR (Ministry of Education), supplemented by PNRR (Italian Recovery Plan) capital for recent expansions, making courses free for students who pay only nominal fees (€200 admission, €50 exam). The core demand-side asset is a network of 200+ partner companies — including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Dallara, Pagani, SACMI, IMA, Schneider Electric, and CNH Industrial — that co-design curricula, host internships, and recruit graduates. The foundation is governed by a board of directors led by President Ormes Corradini and Director Daniele Vacchi, with approximately 118 employees. Diplomas are MIUR-recognized Higher Technician Diplomas at EQF Level 5, accompanied by Europass certification for EU-wide recognition. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, consistent with non-profit foundation status.

Name

Fondazione ITS MAKER ACADEMY

Legal name

ITS MAKER (Istituto Tecnico Superiore Meccanica, Meccatronica, Motoristica, Packaging)

Website

https://itsmaker.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Italian non-profit foundation providing two-year post-diploma technical training in mechanics, mechatronics, automotive, and Industry 4.0 across nine Emilia-Romagna campuses, partnering with 200+ manufacturers including Ferrari and Lamborghini to deliver job-ready technicians to regional industry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technical Higher Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Apprenticeship Training (611513), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mechatronics Systems & Integration (EDAOAHAB), Additive Manufacturing Education & Academic Programs (IMAAAJAB)

Keywords

• Technical higher education
• Post-diploma vocational training
• Mechatronics and automation courses
• Industry 4.0 training
• Automotive engineering education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bologna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding: Courses are publicly funded through Region Emilia-Romagna and MIUR (Ministry of Education), making them free for students. The foundation receives institutional funding for operating the technical training programs.
2. Student Fees: Students pay a €200 admission fee and a €50 final exam fee. Applications for the admission test are free of charge.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Companies co-design courses, provide internships, and contribute to the foundation. While not a direct revenue stream, companies benefit from the training pipeline of skilled technicians.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fondazione ITS MAKER Academy delivers free two-year post-diploma technical higher education programs (EQF Level 5, ~2000 hours) across five specialization areas — Automation & Mechatronics, Design & Materials, Automotive & Engines, Technical Sales, and Digital Industry 4.0 — at nine campuses across Emilia-Romagna. Courses are co-designed with 200+ manufacturing partners, blend classroom theory with hands-on labs (PLC, robotics, CAD, 3D printing, IIoT) and allocate 40%+ of hours to paid internships in companies such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, SACMI, IMA, and Schneider Electric.

Product overview

ITS MAKER Academy is a Fondazione (foundation) providing two-year post-diploma technical courses in five specialization areas: Automation and Mechatronics, Design and Materials, Automotive and Engines, Technical Sales, and Digital Industry 4.0. The institution operates across nine campuses throughout Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Faenza, Forlì, Fornovo di Taro, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, and Rimini). Courses are co-designed with over 130 partner companies and include over 800 hours of company internships. The portfolio includes 22 specialized courses ranging from industrial automation and robotics to electric vehicles, motorsport, packaging technology, and digital industry. Key facilities include PACK LAB (packaging laboratory) in Bologna and the newly inaugurated Misano World Circuit campus for Sport & Electric Motorcycle courses. Programs combine classroom theory with hands-on laboratory work and real-world company projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Automation and Mechatronics Course Area
• Design and Materials Course Area
• Automotive and Engines Course Area
• Technical Sales Course Area
• Digital Industry 4.0 Course Area
• Industrial Automation Course
• Smart Automation and Robotics Course
• Automation and Packaging Course
• Automation for Food & Beverage Course
• Hybrid, Electric and New Technologies Automotive Course
• Sport & Electric Motorcycle Course
• Classic and Historic Car Restoration Course
• Composites, Motorsport and 3D Printing Course
• PACK LAB - Packaging Technology Laboratory
• Erasmus+ and International Internships Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% employment rate within months of graduation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Province of ParmacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Provincial authority collaborating on the construction of the new Palazzina della Scienza in Fornovo, a major expansion of ITS MAKER Academy facilities.
• LamborghinicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomobili Lamborghini is a partner company providing internship opportunities for students in the Auto and Engines area. The partnership supports the academy's goal of training skilled technicians for the automotive industry.
• FerraricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFerrari is a partner company providing internship opportunities for automotive students. The partnership is part of the academy's extensive network of automotive industry partners.
• Dallara AutomobilicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDallara Automobili hosts internships for ITS MAKER students. The partnership provides hands-on training opportunities in one of Italy's premier automotive engineering companies.
• MaseraticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaserati is a partner company providing internship opportunities for students in the automotive sector.
• SACMIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSACMI is a founding partner company providing internship opportunities and industry expertise for automation and packaging students.
• IMAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMA is a partner company providing internship opportunities in automation and packaging.
• Marchesini GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarchesini Group hosts internships for ITS MAKER students in the packaging and automation sectors.
• CNH IndustrialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNH Industrial provides internship opportunities for students across multiple specialization areas.
• Schneider ElectriccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchneider Electric is a partner company providing internship and training opportunities in automation and energy sectors.
• Regione Emilia-RomagnacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government authority that provides institutional funding and support for ITS MAKER Academy programs.
• Misano World CircuitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership hosting the new ITS MAKER Academy campus at MWC Square within the Misano World Circuit. Home to the Sport & Electric Motorcycle course. Inaugurated June 2026.
• Cisita ParmamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject and organizational support partner for the Digital Automation for Food course in Parma, in collaboration with Unione Parmense degli Industriali.
• Comune di Reggio EmiliamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner in the Interreg Europe Foundation project addressing economic resilience and crisis response in European regions.
• Munster Technological UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman university participating in Interreg Europe Foundation project alongside ITS MAKER Academy's Reggio Emilia location.
• University of OuluminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnish university participating in Interreg Europe Foundation project on territorial resilience.
• Oldham CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK local authority participating in Interreg Europe Foundation project.
• Lithuanian Innovation CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLithuanian innovation center participating in Interreg Europe Foundation project.
• Rzeszow Regional Development AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish regional development agency participating in Interreg Europe Foundation project.
• Pannon Business Network AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHungarian business network association participating in Interreg Europe Foundation project.
• Centro Europeo de Empresas e Innovación CartagenaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish business innovation center participating in Interreg Europe Foundation project.
• Business Upper AustriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian business development organization participating in Interreg Europe Foundation project.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cisita Parma: Parma-based training and consulting organization partnering with ITS MAKER on the Digital Automation for Food course. Direct peer in technical vocational training, focused on continuous workforce development for manufacturing SMEs in Emilia-Romagna.
• ITS Angelo Rizzardi: ITS foundation in Lombardy offering courses in mechanical, mechatronic, and automotive engineering. Direct peer providing two-year technical higher education with strong industry partner networks in northern Italy's manufacturing sector.
• ITS Lombardia Meccatronica: Lombardy-based ITS foundation focused on mechatronics, automation, and robotics. Direct peer in the Italian ITS network, with overlapping specialization areas (PLC, robotics, industrial automation) and similar EQF Level 5 / Europass certification model.
• ITS Academy Meccatronico Veneto: Italian ITS foundation in the Veneto region offering two-year post-diploma courses in mechatronics, automation, and Industry 4.0. Direct peer in the national ITS system, competing for the same public funding pool and corporate partnerships targeting northern Italy's industrial base.

Broad incumbents

• Politecnico di Milano: Italy's leading technical university offering bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs in engineering, design, and architecture. Broader incumbent in the same talent pipeline; ITS MAKER occupies the EQF Level 5 tier below Politecnico's degrees, targeting a different student profile (faster, applied, industry-immersed).
• Volkswagen Group Academy (Germany): Corporate-led training academies operated by major automotive OEMs in Germany providing similar dual-education models. Broader incumbent offering comparable industry-immersed technical training, including EV and mechatronics, but anchored to a single corporate sponsor rather than a multi-partner foundation model.
• ITIS Galileo Galilei (Italian Technical Institutes): Italian secondary technical institutes providing five-year high school programs in industrial and technology fields. Broader incumbent in the Italian technical education pipeline; ITS MAKER targets post-diploma graduates from these schools, making them a feeder source rather than a direct competitor.

Regional players

• ITS Volterra (Campania): ITS foundation in southern Italy focused on industrial automation, mechatronics, and digital manufacturing. Regional peer operating in a different Italian macro-region, serving similar student/employer demographics but in a less industrial-dense geography.
• ITS Tullio Buzzi (Tuscany): Tuscan ITS foundation offering post-diploma technical courses around Prato's textile machinery and Florence's industrial base. Regional peer in the Italian ITS network with similar two-year EQF Level 5 structure but different industrial sector emphasis.

Emerging players

• ManpowerGroup Italia: Major global staffing and workforce development firm with significant Italian training operations. Emerging competitor in the vocational reskilling space, often co-delivering industry-aligned training programs with corporate partners in similar manufacturing verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@itsmaker7588
• Facebookfacebook.com/ITSMaker
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/fondazione-its-maker-academy
• Instagraminstagram.com/fondazioneitsmaker

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Fondazione ITS MAKER ACADEMY