Levi-Montalcini Foundation

What Levi-Montalcini Foundation does

The Levi-Montalcini Foundation ETS is a Turin-based non-profit (Ente del Terzo Settore) established in 2023 by Piera Levi-Montalcini to continue and expand the legacy of the 1992 Fondazione Levi-Montalcini and the 2002 Associazione Levi-Montalcini. Its mission is to preserve and disseminate the scientific and cultural heritage of Nobel laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini (discoverer of Nerve Growth Factor, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1986, Senator for life from 2001) together with that of her sister, artist Paola, and her brother, architect/engineer Gino. The foundation's flagship deliverable is a planned eco-sustainable Exhibition and Research Center designed by architect Giancarlo Zema: a circular 1-hectare building surrounded by a 500-tree Paulownia forest instrumented with IoT sensors and Machine Learning analytics, blockchain digital avatars, a 200 kWp photovoltaic roof, 3D-printed eco-cement structural trees (built with WASP), a vertiport (with eVertiSKY), and a 100-seat conference room. Secondary programs include the Levi-Montalcini Network (a curated link between schools and institutions named after Rita), educational robotics labs (e.g., the Fondazione Dalmine classroom, February 2025), STEM outreach targeting youth and women in African geographies (aligned with the UN-affiliated Great Green Wall initiative), and content assets such as the book Un Sogno al Microscopio.

The foundation operates exclusively on a donations-and-charitable-contributions model, accepting Italian 5x1000 designations (tax code 97903400014), bank transfers (IBAN IT20G0503401000000000036336), and proceeds from charity events such as the October 2023 Polo Club Forte dei Marmi Gala. It is led by President Piera Levi-Montalcini (electronics engineer from Politecnico di Torino) and Vice President Claudia Levi-Montalcini, with five total employees and no disclosed revenue, parent organization, subsidiaries, or venture funding. Customer segments are grant-recipient personas rather than commercial buyers: youth and students, women and girls in STEM (particularly in African geographies), and the schools and institutions that compose the Levi-Montalcini Network; the foundation selects these segments based on alignment with Rita Levi-Montalcini's stated commitments to education, women's access to science, and combating gender stereotypes. Commercial-style customer concentration is not applicable, but donor and grant concentration risk is implicit in reliance on 5x1000 and event-driven fundraising. Distribution is delivered through the future exhibition center, the Levi-Montalcini Network, school visits, book presentations, charity events, press conferences (including the June 2023 Italian Senate event), and a coordinated multi-channel presence on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Awards validating the project to date include the GREEN GOOD DESIGN AWARDS 2024 (Chicago Athenaeum), the 2025 ID Made in Italy recognition at the Italian Senate, and the 2025 Premio per l'Eccellenza Italiana negli UAE.

Name

Levi-Montalcini Foundation

Legal name

Levi-Montalcini Foundation ETS

Website

https://levimontalcinifoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Levi-Montalcini Foundation ETS, founded in Turin in 2023, preserves and disseminates the scientific and cultural legacy of Nobel laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini and her family through an upcoming eco-sustainable exhibition center, the Levi-Montalcini school network, STEM outreach, and donation-funded programs serving youth, women in Africa, and named institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Non-profit Cultural and Scientific Legacy Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Non-profit foundation
• Scientific legacy preservation
• STEM education programs
• Cultural heritage archives
• Eco-sustainable architecture

Headquarters

HQ city

Turin

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a non-profit (ETS - Ente del Terzo Settore) and relies on donations, charitable contributions, and tax-deductible gifts including the Italian 5x1000 system. They accept bank transfers and organize charity events such as the Polo Club Gala.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Levi-Montalcini Foundation preserves and disseminates the scientific and cultural legacy of Nobel laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini and her family through an eco-sustainable exhibition and research center under development, STEM-focused educational programs for youth and women (particularly in African countries), publication of cultural and educational materials, and support of environmental initiatives such as Africa's Great Green Wall. The foundation operates as a registered non-profit (ETS - Ente del Terzo Settore) funded by donations, the Italian 5x1000 tax designation, and charity events.

Product overview

The Levi-Montalcini Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 2023 (continuing the legacy of the 1992 Levi-Montalcini Foundation and 2002 Levi-Montalcini Association) focused on preserving and promoting the legacy of Nobel Prize winner Rita Levi-Montalcini and her family. The foundation's primary offering is the development of an eco-sustainable exhibition and research center in Italy, featuring innovative architecture by Giancarlo Zema with sustainable technologies including a Paulownia forest, IoT sensors, and renewable energy systems. The foundation also operates educational programs promoting STEM education for women and youth, maintains the Levi-Montalcini Network connecting named institutions, publishes educational materials like the book 'Un Sogno al Microscopio', and supports environmental initiatives such as the Great Green Wall.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Levi-Montalcini Foundation Headquarters (Exhibition and Research Center) An innovative eco-sustainable exhibition and research center dedicated to the work of Nobel Prize winner Rita Levi-Montalcini and her family, designed by architect Giancarlo Zema. The circular building will be surrounded by a 500-tree Paulownia forest with IoT-connected sensors analyzed via Machine Learning algorithms and recorded via blockchain-based digital avatars. The facility includes a 200 kWp photovoltaic roof, rainwater collection, 3D-printed structural trees in eco-cement, and a vertiport for electric passenger drones on the rooftop.
• Un Sogno al Microscopio (Book) Book written by Piera Levi-Montalcini and Alberto Cappio dedicated to the life of Rita Levi-Montalcini as a neurologist, Senator for life, and 1986 Nobel Prize winner in Medicine. Used as an educational outreach tool presented at schools and cultural venues.
• Levi-Montalcini Network A network linking institutions and schools named after Rita Levi-Montalcini, developed by Piera Levi-Montalcini to enhance and promote the legacy of the Levi-Montalcini family across schools and institutions globally.
• Educational Programs Programs promoting STEM education, supporting women in science (particularly from African countries), helping youth identify their talents, and fighting gender stereotypes. Delivered through school visits and cultural outreach events.
• The Great Green Wall Initiative Support The foundation's support for and alignment with the 'Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative (GGWSSI)', a pioneering African Union-led project in Africa fighting climate change and desertification through creation of productive green landscapes.
• Levi-Montalcini Family Archives Stewardship Care, preservation, and research access to family archives documenting Rita Levi-Montalcini's life and scientific discoveries, surviving two world wars and racial laws. Made accessible for research and cultural purposes through the planned exhibition center.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500 Paulownia trees planted at headquarters absorbing 50 tonnes of CO2 annually

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• Camera di Commercio Italiana negli Emirati ArabimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 July 2025Italian Chamber of Commerce in UAE, led by President Stefano Campagna, promoting Made in Italy abroad. Collaborated on the Excellence Award ceremony.
• Fondazione DalminemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2025Collaboration for educational robotics laboratories. A robotics classroom was named after Rita Levi-Montalcini at Fondazione Dalmine on International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
• Polo Club Forte dei MarmiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 October 2023Organized the Charity Gala on October 7, 2023 at Golf Resort Lucca for presentation of the foundation project.
• Senatore Antonio TrevisimajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2023Senator who initiated the press conference at the Senate of the Republic for the presentation of the Levi-Montalcini Foundation project.
• Global Compact Business for Peace - ONUmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2023UN-affiliated organization represented by Dr. Leardo Ravaioli at the Senate press conference for the Africa Project (Great Green Wall).
• Università di Urbino Carlo BominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2023Represented by Dr. Matteo Micucci at the Senate press conference, contributing research on Paulownia chemistry and health perspectives.
• D'Amico & Associates Law FirmminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 16 June 2023Legal firm represented by Avv. Gabriele D'Amico Soggetti at the Senate press conference, providing analysis on family assets and foundations.
• The Great Green Wall Initiative (GGWSSI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2023The foundation shares this African Union-led initiative fighting climate change and desertification in Africa through creation of productive green landscapes.
• International Council of Human DutiesminorOthers · 1 January 2020Association in Trieste where Piera Levi-Montalcini serves as secretary.
• Associazione eTutorWebminorOthers · 1 January 2014Association founded by Piera Levi-Montalcini in Rome in 2014, with which she is also President.
• Associazione Levi-MontalcinicoreOthers · 1 January 2002Founded by Piera Levi-Montalcini in 2002, one of the predecessor organizations that the Levi-Montalcini Foundation continues from.
• Fondazione Levi-Montalcini (Original)coreOthers · 1 January 1992Original foundation established in 1992 by twins Rita and Paola in memory of their father Adamo. One of the predecessor organizations.
• Giancarlo Zema Design GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian architect Giancarlo Zema designed the eco-sustainable headquarters of the foundation. Known internationally for eco-sustainable projects with great formal and emotional impact. The design is inspired by the parallelism between the human nervous system and plant root systems.
• Paulownia4PlanetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for the 500-tree Paulownia forest at headquarters. Each tree absorbs approximately 10 times more CO2 than ordinary trees. The partnership enables carbon sequestration measurement and certified planting programs.
• 17tonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the sustainability initiative, contributing to the carbon measurement and monitoring system for the Paulownia forest.
• WASP (3D Printing)majorTechnology or IntegrationWASP produces large structural trees over 6 meters high in eco-cement 3D printing to support the photovoltaic roof structure of the headquarters.
• Simone Vitale (Musician)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-instrumentalist musician who creates musical compositions generated by the bioelectric activity of the Paulownia trees using special sensors.
• Scent CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for aromatherapy experience using scents released by Paulownia flowers, leaves, and bark in different seasons.
• Levi-Montalcini NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork linking institutions and schools named after Rita Levi-Montalcini, developed by Piera Levi-Montalcini to connect entities honoring the Nobel laureate's legacy.
• Alberto CappiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-author with Piera Levi-Montalcini of the book 'Un Sogno al Microscopio' dedicated to Rita Levi-Montalcini's life. Responsible for research, enhancement and promotion of the Levi-Montalcini family archive.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fondazione Giovanni Agnelli: Turin-based private foundation focused on education and youth research, operating with similar small-staff grantmaking and program models. Directly comparable as an Italian family-affiliated foundation working in the education/STEM space.
• Fondazione CRT: Turin-based philanthropic foundation (same city as L-MF) supporting education, culture, environmental sustainability, and social welfare. Comparable as a Piedmont-rooted foundation with overlapping missions in education, sustainability, and cultural heritage.
• Fondazione Feltrinelli: Milan-based private foundation promoting historical-social research, education, and culture. Comparable as an Italian grantmaking foundation operating research and educational programs around historical and cultural themes.
• Fondazione Cini: Venice-based cultural foundation on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore that combines heritage preservation, art exhibitions, research centers, and educational programming. Closely matches the planned L-MF model of an exhibition and research center rooted in a single cultural legacy.
• Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci: Italy's primary science and technology museum in Milan, combining heritage preservation, educational programming, and exhibition space. Comparable as an Italian institution blending scientific legacy with public-facing cultural/educational offerings.
• Bracco Foundation: Italian foundation focused on science, culture, and education, with activities including educational programming for youth and women in STEM. Directly comparable as a Milan-based family/corporate Italian foundation promoting scientific culture.
• Pirelli Foundation: Italian corporate foundation focused on industrial heritage, culture, and education. Comparable as an Italian foundation blending heritage preservation with educational programming for youth and institutions.

Broad incumbents

• Nobel Prize Museum: The official museum and outreach institution for Nobel laureates globally, including Rita Levi-Montalcini. Operates as a much larger heritage and educational venue but shares the foundational mission of preserving and disseminating Nobel scientific legacy.
• Smithsonian Institution: The world's largest museum, education, and research complex combining heritage preservation, exhibition centers, and public education. Comparable as a multi-site institution preserving scientific and cultural legacy through exhibitions and educational programming.
• Aspen Institute: International nonprofit focused on values-based leadership, education, and dialogue across cultures. Comparable as a global non-profit operating programs that combine educational outreach, leadership development, and cultural dialogue.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/levimontalcini3
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@levimontalcinifoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/levimontalcinifoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/levimontalcinifoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/levimontalcinifoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Levi-Montalcini Foundation