ITS ACADEMY MARCO POLO

What ITS ACADEMY MARCO POLO does

ITS Academy Marco Polo (Fondazione ITS Marco Polo Academy) is a non-profit vocational education foundation established in 2015 within the Port of Venice, Italy. It operates as part of the national Italian ITS (Istituto Tecnico Superiore) system, delivering EQF Level 5 post-secondary technical programs across five Veneto locations (Venice, Mestre, Rovigo, Treviso, Portogruaro). The academy's portfolio spans seven two- or three-year programs covering logistics management, port and airport logistics, maritime deck and engineering officer training (STCW-certified), railway engineering (ANSFISA-accredited), transport vehicle production and maintenance, and art logistics management. Core technology centers on capital-intensive simulation laboratories—including ship bridge, train driving, port crane, and tugboat simulators—backed by a €4 million investment in the Accademia della Logistica e del Mare hub.

The foundation operates a direct-to-consumer recruitment model aimed at recent high school graduates (18–20 years old), with admissions through online applications, selection tests, and Open Days held across Veneto. Revenue is driven by public funding (PNRR, MIUR, regional grants), tuition fees, and scholarship programs (INPS, Camera di Commercio), supplemented by a multi-channel marketing approach including education fairs, social media, and school partnerships. The academy is governed as a Fondazione di Partecipazione with a multi-stakeholder base of 40+ founding partners spanning port authorities, industry associations (Confindustria Venezia), logistics companies (Amazon Italia Logistica, CEVA Freight, Codognotto), railway firms (Ente Raccordi Ferroviari), and educational institutions (Università IUAV, IIS Luzzatti). Each program requires approximately 2,000 hours of training with at least 50% internship placement at partner companies, contributing to reported graduate placement rates above 90% within one year.

In 2023–2024 the academy expanded materially by absorbing Ve.Mar.S and co-founding the Accademia della Logistica e del Mare with CFLI, and in 2025 joined the newly formed Associazione ITS Academy Veneto network of eight regional ITS foundations. The board is led by President Damaso Zanardo with Director Marco Della Puppa overseeing operations; 54 employees support execution. No private equity or venture capital is involved—the entity is structurally a public-benefit foundation aligned with Italy's national higher technical education strategy.

Name

ITS ACADEMY MARCO POLO

Legal name

Fondazione ITS Marco Polo Academy

Website

https://itsmarcopolo.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ITS Academy Marco Polo is a non-profit Italian vocational foundation founded in 2015 in Venice, delivering EQF Level 5 post-secondary programs in logistics, maritime, railway, and cultural sectors to recent high school graduates across the Veneto region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational and Technical Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Merchant Marine & Deck Operations (EDAOANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD), Operations, Supply Chain & Logistics Management Schools (EDAHAHAF)

Keywords

• Vocational education
• Logistics training
• Maritime training
• Railway training
• Post-secondary technical education

Headquarters

HQ city

Venezia (Venice)

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Course Fees: ITS Marco Polo Academy charges tuition fees for its 2-year post-secondary programs. The academy offers various scholarship programs including PNRR scholarships, INPS scholarships, Camera di Commercio scholarships for Venice/Rovigo and Treviso/Belluno provinces, and merit-based scholarships. There is also a residential bonus of up to €5,000 for the 2-year period for eligible students.
2. Public Funding and Grants: As an ITS (Istituto Tecnico Superiore), the academy receives government funding and operates within the Italian national ITS system. The Accademia della Logistica e del Mare represents a €4 million investment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fondazione ITS Marco Polo Academy operates as a higher technical education foundation delivering two- and three-year post-diploma vocational programs in logistics, maritime, railway operations, and cultural event management. Programs combine 1200 hours of classroom theory with 800+ hours of company internships (at least 50% practical training) and lead to EQF Level 5 diplomas valid across Europe. Course delivery uses advanced simulation laboratories (ship bridge, train, tugboat, and port crane simulators) and a network of 40+ industry partners for internships and placement.

Product overview

ITS Marco Polo Academy is an educational foundation offering a portfolio of post-diploma vocational programs (ITS courses) in logistics, maritime, railway, and cultural sectors. The institution operates as a multi-location academy with courses ranging from 1200-2000 hours plus mandatory internships (minimum 50% of training hours). Programs lead to EQF Level 5 diplomas valid across Europe. The course portfolio includes Logistics Manager variants (general and port/airport specialized), maritime officer programs (Deck and Engine), railway engineer training, art logistics management, and transport vehicle maintenance. All courses incorporate practical training through company internships and international mobility opportunities via Erasmus+.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Logistics Manager Two-year post-diploma program training students in logistics management, supply chain operations, and goods movement. Delivered at Treviso, Rovigo, and Portogruaro locations with 2000 hours total (1200 theory, 800 internship).
• Logistics Manager in ambito portuale ed aeroportuale Specialized two-year logistics program focusing on maritime-port and airport logistics operations, planning, and freight management. Delivered in Mestre (Venezia) with 2000 hours total.
• Ufficiale di Coperta (Deck Officer) Three-year program to become a maritime Deck Officer with STCW certifications, including 12 months onboard training on vessels with gross tonnage >= 500 GT. Delivered in Venice.
• Ufficiale di Macchina (Marine Engineering Officer) Three-year program to become a Marine Engineering Officer with training on vessels with main engine power >= 750 kW. Delivered in Venice.
• Macchinista e Preparatore dei Treni (Train Engineer) Two-year program training railway engineers and train preparers, accredited by ANSFISA for safety training (train driving, train preparation, train accompaniment). Delivered in Venice with reported 99% placement rate.
• Art Moving and Set Up Manager Two-year program training professionals in art logistics, exhibition setup, and cultural event management. Delivered in Venice with 1200 hours experiential learning plus 800 hours internship.
• Produzione e Manutenzione di Mezzi di Trasporto Two-year program training technicians in production and maintenance of transport vehicles (railway, naval, terrestrial, aerospace). Delivered in Mestre (Venezia) with 2000 hours total.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of graduates find employment within one year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Autorità Portuale di Venezia / AdSPMAScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Founding partner and key stakeholder. The academy was established within the Porto di Venezia. The Port Authority provides strategic direction, industry connections, and serves as a reference point for maritime training programs. The academy is located in the port zone.
• CFLIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnte di Formazione (training organization) and founding partner. Part of the Accademia della Logistica e del Mare hub together with ITS Marco Polo and Vemars.
• Confindustria VeneziacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading industry association and founding partner. Provides industry connections, internship placements, and employment opportunities for graduates.
• Università IUAVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner contributing academic expertise to the logistics and transport programs.
• Amazon Italia LogisticacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor e-commerce logistics company and founding partner. Provides internship opportunities and employment for logistics graduates.
• VTP – Venezia Terminal PasseggericoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPort terminal operator and founding partner. Provides maritime training opportunities and placement for deck officer graduates.
• Ente Raccordi FerroviaricoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRailway infrastructure company and founding partner. Provides railway training opportunities and employment for train engineer graduates.
• Training SrlcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRailway training organization and founding partner. Contributes specialized railway training expertise.
• IIS LuzzatticoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading secondary school with logistics specialization and founding partner. Soggetto capofila (lead subject). Provides educational pathway connections and serves as course location in Mestre and Portogruaro.
• Umana SpaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployment agency and founding partner. Supports student placement and internship programs.
• Intempo SpaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEmployment agency and founding partner. Supports student placement and internship programs.
• Codognotto ItaliacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational logistics company and founding partner. Provides internship and employment for logistics graduates.
• N. Compagnia Lavoratori PortualicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPort workers' company and founding partner. Provides practical port training and employment connections.
• Città Metropolitana di VeneziacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government entity and founding partner. Provides institutional support and regional coordination.
• VeconminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPort terminal operator and participating partner.
• CEVA FreightminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational freight forwarder and participating partner providing logistics training opportunities.
• FercamminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransport and logistics company and participating partner.
• Accademia di Belle Arti VeneziaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArt academy and participating partner supporting the Art Moving and Set Up Manager program.
• VemarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime training center that has joined the ITS Marco Polo group, contributing to the Accademia della Logistica e del Mare. Provides Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) training.
• ITS Academy VenetocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional network association founded in June 2025 uniting all eight ITS foundations in the Veneto region for shared resources and coordination.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SUNY Maritime College: U.S. public maritime academy offering marine transportation, marine engineering, and maritime business degrees. Comparable as a higher-education institution combining academic instruction with STCW-certified maritime officer training and port/transport logistics content.
• California State University Maritime Academy: Cal Maritime is a U.S. public maritime college offering marine transportation, mechanical engineering, and global logistics programs. Comparable as a higher-education institution focused on maritime officer preparation, port operations, and transportation industry training.
• World Maritime University: UN-established postgraduate maritime university in Malmö, Sweden, offering advanced maritime education and research. Directly comparable as a higher-education institution delivering specialized maritime officer and maritime policy training with international recognition.
• Marine Institute: Ireland's national marine agency offering commercial fisheries, marine science, and maritime training programs. Comparable as a national-level vocational and professional institution focused on maritime, seafarer training, and port-related technical education.
• Maersk Training: Global commercial maritime and offshore training provider owned by A.P. Moller-Maersk. Comparable as a private-sector training organization offering STCW-certified courses, port logistics training, and safety certifications to logistics and maritime professionals.
• Kühne Logistics University: Private logistics-focused university in Hamburg, Germany, offering bachelor's, master's, and executive programs in logistics, supply chain management, and transport. Comparable as a specialized higher-education institution training logistics managers and supply chain professionals with strong industry ties.

Broad incumbents

• MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics: MIT's interdisciplinary center offering master's, professional, and executive programs in supply chain management and logistics. Comparable as a broad incumbent setting standards in logistics education and serving a similar managerial/supply-chain audience, though at graduate rather than vocational level.
• Politecnico di Milano: Italy's leading technical university offering engineering programs including transport, logistics, and management tracks. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering degree-level alternatives to ITS Marco Polo's vocational pathways, particularly in logistics engineering and transport systems.
• Università IUAV di Venezia: Venice-based public university specializing in architecture, urban planning, and design. Functions as a broader incumbent academic partner (existing collaboration with ITS Marco Polo) offering degree-level programs that overlap with the academy's logistics and cultural-event tracks in the Veneto region.

Emerging players

• The Nautical Institute: International professional body representing maritime professionals across 60+ countries, providing certification, continuing education, and career development. Comparable as an emerging player in the maritime training/credentialing ecosystem that intersects with ITS Marco Polo's STCW officer pathways.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ITSMarcoPolo_Ve
• Facebookfacebook.com/itsmarcopoloacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazione-its-marco-polo
• Instagraminstagram.com/itsmarcopolovenezia

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 ITS ACADEMY MARCO POLO