ITS PRIME

What ITS PRIME does

ITS Prime (Fondazione Istituto Tecnologico Superiore Prime) is a private non-profit foundation registered in Florence, Italy, operating as an ITS Academy within Italy's national higher technical education system. Founded in 2012 and registered as a legal entity in April 2022, the foundation delivers post-diploma (two-year, 1800+ hour) technical training programs in Industry 4.0 disciplines — mechatronics, industrial automation and robotics, mechanical design, advanced rail systems, and optical-electronic systems — plus shorter IFTS credentials such as Digitech AI Designer and T.E.C.M.E.C. Course content is co-designed with industry: 70% of instructors come directly from partner companies, and 42% of course hours are mandatory internships, yielding a graduate employment rate of over 90% within one year of completion.

The foundation operates from four Tuscan locations — Firenze (headquarters, Via Panciatichi 29), Pistoia (new campus inaugurated February 2025), Lucca, and Campi Bisenzio (hosted at Leonardo's facilities) — and runs specialized laboratories under the PRIME INNOLAB PNRR project (electronics/optics at Leonardo's site, MeccanoLab in Pistoia, Factory of the Future in Firenze) plus the DAMA_Lab funded through PR FESR 2021-2027. Curriculum tracks are differentiated by site and industrial cluster, with the Pistoia hub focused on rail technology (in partnership with Hitachi Rail and Ditecfer), Lucca on plant operations and the paper/cartary sector (with Sofidel and DS Smith), and Firenze on mechatronics, robotics, and plant management.

The business model is grant-driven rather than commercial. ITS Prime is funded primarily through Italian and European public sources — MIUR (Ministry of Education) allocations, PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), PR FESR 2021-2027 regional funds, and EU Next Generation EU grants — with student course fees offset or eliminated by FSE-funded scholarships (borse di studio). The foundation has roughly 60+ founding member companies (Baker Hughes, Leonardo, Hitachi Rail, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Festo, Sofidel, Confindustria Toscana, CNA Toscana Centro) and partner universities (Università di Firenze, Università di Pisa), which provide curriculum input, equipment, internship hosts, and a hiring pipeline in exchange for access to trained technical talent. Customer segments are dual — young diploma holders aged 18-30 seeking employment-focused technical credentials, and Tuscan manufacturing companies seeking a workforce pipeline in robotics, automation, and industrial maintenance.

Name

ITS PRIME

Legal name

Fondazione ITS Prime – Istituto Tecnico Superiore per la manutenzione industriale

Website

https://itsprime.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ITS Prime is a Florence-based non-profit foundation providing post-diploma Industry 4.0 technical education across Tuscany, delivering two-year specialist courses in mechatronics, robotics, rail systems, and automation with 60+ corporate partners including Baker Hughes, Leonardo, and Hitachi Rail, achieving over 90% graduate employment placement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technical and Vocational Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mechatronics Systems & Integration (EDAOAHAB), Construction, Engineering & Skilled Trades Licensure Prep (EDAAANAL)

Keywords

• Technical vocational education
• Post-diploma training
• Industry 4.0 training
• Mechatronics engineering programs
• Industrial automation courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Firenze

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Funding and Government Grants: ITS Prime is a private foundation (Fondazione) that receives primary funding from public sources including: PNRR (Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza), PR FESR 2021-2027 (European Regional Development Fund), MIUR (Ministry of Education) funding, and regional government contributions. Revenue also comes from EU Next Generation EU funds for laboratory development.
2. Course Fees (Scholarships offset costs): Students receive scholarships (borse di studio) funded through FSE (Fondo Sociale Europeo) and other public programs, reducing or eliminating direct tuition costs for eligible students.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ITS Prime is a non-profit foundation operating post-diploma technical education programs (corsi ITS) in Industry 4.0 disciplines including mechatronics, industrial automation, robotics, railway systems, optical/electronic systems, and plant maintenance. It delivers 1800+ hour courses combining classroom theory, hands-on laboratory training with advanced manufacturing equipment, and mandatory company internships (42% of course hours), leading to a recognized "Diploma di Tecnico Superiore" qualification.

Product overview

ITS Prime Tech Academy is an educational institution (Fondazione Istituto Tecnologico Superiore Prime) offering post-diploma technical training programs in industrial mechatronics, mechanical engineering, and automation. The institution operates seven main course programs: Smart Machine Systems Specialist, Plant Operations & Maintenance Specialist, Optical & Electronic Systems Specialist, Industrial Robotics Specialist, Industrial Plant Manager Specialist, Advanced Rail Systems Specialist, and Industrial Systems Mechatronics Specialist. Additionally, IFTS courses include Digitech AI Designer and T.E.C.M.E.C. The programs are conducted across facilities in Florence, Pistoia, Lucca, and Campi Bisenzio, featuring hands-on Tech Labs with technologies including robotics, CNC machines, 3D printing, and VR/AR systems. The institution also offers Erasmus+ international mobility programs and organizes Open Day events for student recruitment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Smart Machine Systems Specialist Post-diploma course training Tecnico Superiore for the design and integration of mechatronic systems for industry (Tecnico superiore per la progettazione e l'integrazione di sistemi meccatronici per l'industria), offered in Pistoia as a 1800+ hour program combining classroom, lab, and internship components.
• Plant Operations & Maintenance Specialist Post-diploma course training Tecnico Superiore for automation and advanced management of complex industrial plants (Tecnico Superiore per automazione e gestione avanzata di impianti industriali complessi), offered in Lucca.
• Optical & Electronic Systems Specialist Post-diploma course training Tecnico Superiore for the development and application of advanced optical-electronic and measurement systems (Tecnico Superiore per lo sviluppo e l'applicazione di sistemi ottico-elettronici e di misura avanzati), offered in Campi Bisenzio at Leonardo facilities.
• Industrial Robotics Specialist Post-diploma course training Tecnico Superiore for the development and integration of automation and robotics systems for industry (Tecnico Superiore per lo sviluppo e l'integrazione di sistemi di automazione e robotica per l'industria), offered in Firenze.
• Industrial Plant Manager Specialist Post-diploma course training Tecnico Superiore for the maintenance and optimization of complex industrial plants (Tecnico Superiore per la manutenzione e l'ottimizzazione di impianti industriali complessi), offered in Firenze.
• Advanced Rail Systems Specialist Post-diploma course training Tecnico Superiore for advanced technologies for railway transport (Tecnico Superiore per le tecnologie avanzate per il trasporto ferroviario), offered in Pistoia with new campus inaugurated in February 2025.
• Industrial Systems Mechatronics Specialist Post-diploma course training Tecnico Superiore mechatronics specialist for innovation and digitalization of industrial production and service processes (Tecnico Superiore meccatronico per l'innovazione e digitalizzazione dei processi industriali di produzione e service), offered in Firenze.
• Digitech AI Designer IFTS course training Tecnico del disegno e progettazione industriale con tecnologie digitali ed intelligenza artificiale (Technician for industrial design and engineering with digital technologies and artificial intelligence).
• T.E.C.M.E.C IFTS course training Tecnico per la progettazione, costruzione e manutenzione di componenti meccanici e elettromeccanici (Technician for design, construction and maintenance of mechanical and electromechanical components).
• Erasmus+ Mobility Program International mobility program providing internship grants for students to work at foreign companies, with options for virtual internships.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of graduates find employment within one year, with employment in fields coherent with their study path
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Baker HughescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBaker Hughes (via Nuovo Pignone) is a founding member and key strategic partner. The company's representative, Ludovica Fiaschi, serves as President of the ITS Prime Foundation. Baker Hughes provides curriculum input, hosts the Elettronica e Ottica del Futuro laboratory at its Campi Bisenzio facility, and participates in student internships and hiring.
• Leonardo S.p.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeonardo is a founding member of the ITS Prime Foundation. Alessandra Ceseri represents Leonardo on the Board of Directors, and Pietro Marigliani serves on the Technical-Scientific Committee. Leonardo hosts the electronics and optics laboratory at Campi Bisenzio.
• Hitachi RailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHitachi Rail is a founding member represented by Federico Gherardi on the Technical-Scientific Committee, associated with Ditecfer (Railway Technology District). The company contributes to railway systems curriculum and provides internship and employment opportunities.
• Università degli Studi di FirenzemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Florence's Department of Industrial Engineering (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale) is a founding member. Yary Volpe serves on the Technical-Scientific Committee, contributing academic expertise and research collaboration.
• Università di PisamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Pisa's Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering (Dipartimento Ingegneria Civile e Industriale) is a founding member. Roberto Gabbrielli and Antonio Virdis serve on the Technical-Scientific Committee, providing academic rigor and research partnerships.
• Confindustria Toscana Centro e CostacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConfindustria (the Italian employers' confederation) is represented on the Board of Directors by Bruno Pecchioli and provides broader industry engagement and connection to member companies for internships and employment.
• Città Metropolitana di FirenzemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Metropolitan City of Florence is a founding member represented by Simone Tani on the Board of Directors, contributing regional government support and connections to public workforce development initiatives.
• CNA Toscana CentrominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNA (Confederazione Nazionale dell'Artigianato e della Piccola e Media Impresa) is represented by Bartolomei Argeo and Giacomo Buonomini on the Technical-Scientific Committee, connecting ITS Prime to small and medium enterprises in the region.
• ISIS Leonardo Da VincimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerISIS Leonardo Da Vinci (technical high school) is represented by Paola Conti on the Board of Directors. Provides pathway connections from secondary technical education to ITS programs.
• Sofidel S.p.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSofidel (paper manufacturer) is a founding member, contributing to the PaperGear program for the paper/cartary industry sector and providing industry-specific curriculum input.
• DitecfercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDitecfer is the Railway Technology District of Tuscany, associated with Hitachi Rail. Federico Gherardi represents Ditecfer on the Technical-Scientific Committee, contributing to railway systems specialization programs.
• DS Smith Paper ItaliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDS Smith Paper Italia is a founding member, contributing to paper industry curriculum (PaperGear program) and providing internships and employment for graduates.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ITS Lombardia Meccatronica: Italian ITS foundation focused on mechatronics and Industry 4.0 vocational training, serving manufacturing employers in Lombardy. Directly comparable as a regional, non-profit, post-diploma technical institute with employer co-designed curricula and corporate partner networks.
• ITS Maker (Bologna): ITS foundation in Emilia-Romagna providing mechatronics, automation, and Industry 4.0 training with strong corporate partner ecosystem. Highly comparable in mission, structure, and Italian ITS funding model.
• ITS Angelo Rizzieri (Brescia): Lombardy-based ITS offering mechanical and mechatronics specializations with cooperating industrial partners. Compares directly on Tuscan ITS Prime's model of post-diploma technical training tied to local manufacturing demand.
• Confindustria Formazione: Training arm of Italy's main industrial employers' association, providing technical and managerial training for industry. Comparable as a non-degree, employer-aligned technical training provider with similar corporate member network structure.
• ITS Treviso: Veneto-based ITS delivering mechatronics and automation training programs. Comparable to ITS Prime on structure (post-diploma, employer co-designed, sector-specialized) and funding model (public + corporate).
• ITS AEROSPAZIO Piemonte: Italian ITS focused on aerospace and advanced manufacturing technical training. Comparable as a sector-specific ITS foundation serving a regional industrial cluster with employer co-designed curricula.

Broad incumbents

• Politecnico di Milano: Italy's leading technical university offering engineering and industrial automation degrees. Comparable on the technical skills taught (mechatronics, automation) but broader in scope and able to confer academic degrees that ITS Prime cannot.
• Siemens Professional Education: German dual-education technical training provider operated by Siemens, focused on industrial automation and mechatronics apprenticeships. Comparable on Industry 4.0 curriculum and corporate-sponsored training model, with larger international footprint.

Others

• ADAPT (Associazione per gli Studi Internazionali e Comparati sul Diritto del lavoro): Italian academic-research association focused on work, labor markets, and vocational education policy. Comparable as an ecosystem participant in Italian vocational training research, though not a direct training provider.

Regional players

• Gestore Servizi Energetici (GSE) Training Programs: Italian state energy services entity providing technical training for energy and industrial sectors. Comparable as a publicly-funded, Italy-based technical training provider, though with a different sector focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/itsprime
• Facebookfacebook.com/itsprime
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/its-prime
• Instagraminstagram.com/itsprime_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 ITS PRIME