What Fondazione PICO does

Fondazione PICO ETS is a non-profit foundation (Ente del Terzo Settore) established in 2019 and headquartered in Rome, Italy, operating as the official Digital Innovation Hub of Legacoop Nazionale — the principal Italian cooperative association. The foundation serves 22,000+ member cooperatives representing 113,000+ individual members and EUR 82 billion in aggregate production value (approximately 3.5% of Italian GDP), delivering services through a four-step pathway: digital maturity assessment (SELFI 4.0 via Unioncamere), tailored digital strategy, technology implementation, and digital training. Delivery is executed via a nationwide network of 15 local PICO Hubs anchored in Legacoop's territorial structures across all Italian regions, with operational concentration in Bologna through its AlmaVicoo/University of Bologna partnership.

The foundation's product portfolio combines proprietary platforms with consortium participation. Proprietary platforms include DIGIWISE, a free e-democracy platform for cooperative governance (assemblies, voting, proposals, debates), and AGRITECHUB, an IoT-based precision agriculture platform with blockchain-certified product traceability. PICO also participates as a partner in multiple European Digital Innovation Hubs and PNRR-funded Seal of Excellence initiatives: EDIH4Marche (AI, Industrial IoT, Data Analytics), Artes 5.0 (robotics and AI), Bi-Rex++ (HPC, AI, cybersecurity), PICS2 (Southern Italy digital and green transition, EUR 4M+ budget), and DIGITAL ACE (jointly with CNA, targeting 7,500 cooperative and artisan enterprises). Underlying technology spans AI, IoT, data analytics, VR/AR, cybersecurity, blockchain, and cloud-based collaboration tools, with active research in cooperative AI through the Acoda network with Legacoop Bologna and Fondazione del Monte.

Fondazione PICO operates a non-profit revenue model: services to cooperatives are offered free of charge or subsidized, monetized through managed services contracts funded by public and philanthropic sources. Primary funding streams include PNRR (Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan) funding for EDIH and Seal of Excellence initiatives, a EUR 3.5 million grant from Google.org for the Cooperazione Digitale initiative (with EUR 1.16 million flowing through PICO), and contributions under Italian Law 124/2017 and Legislative Decree 117/2017 governing Third Sector Entities. The foundation does not sell commercial products; value capture occurs through grant-funded project delivery, positioning PICO as a public-purpose intermediary rather than a commercial vendor.

Name

Fondazione PICO

Legal name

Fondazione PICO ETS

Website

https://pico.coop

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fondazione PICO is the Digital Innovation Hub of Legacoop Nazionale, providing digital assessment, strategy, technology implementation, and training services to 22,000+ Italian cooperatives through a nationwide hub network and proprietary platforms including DIGIWISE and AGRITECHUB.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Innovation Services for Cooperatives

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

DevOps, SRE & Platform Engineering Consulting (BPAHAEAK), Governance Frameworks & DAO Tooling (modules, templates, standards) (FSAPAHAC)

Keywords

• Cooperative digital transformation
• Digital innovation hub
• Digital maturity assessment
• E-democracy platform
• Cooperative digital training

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. EU and National Public Funding: Fondazione PICO operates primarily through public and EU funding. Key projects include PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) funding for EDIH and Seal of Excellence initiatives (e.g., PICS2 with over EUR 4 million budget). The foundation also receives contributions under Italian Law 124/2017 and Legislative Decree 117/2017.
2. Google.org Funding (Cooperazione Digitale): Cooperazione Digitale initiative is funded by a EUR 3.5 million grant from Google.org (Google's philanthropic division), managed by Associazione Economia Sociale Digitale. Fondazione PICO coordinates the Legacoop component with a budget of EUR 1.16 million, serving 201 enterprises.
3. Digital Transformation Advisory and Training Services: Services for cooperatives include digital assessment, strategy design, technology implementation, and digital training — offered free of charge or subsidized through public funding programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Fondazione PICO is the Digital Innovation Hub of Legacoop Nazionale, delivering a structured 4-step digital transformation pathway to Italian cooperative enterprises: digital maturity assessment (SELFI 4.0), tailored digital strategy, technology implementation/handover, and digital training. It complements these advisory services with proprietary platforms including the DIGIWISE e-democracy platform for cooperative governance and the AGRITECHUB precision agriculture platform with IoT sensors and blockchain traceability.

Product overview

Fondazione PICO is the Digital Innovation Hub of Legacoop (Italy's major cooperative association) offering a portfolio of services including DIGIWISE e-democracy platform, digital assessment (SELFI 4.0), strategy consulting, technology transfer, and digital training. The foundation coordinates multiple European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH4Marche, Artes 5.0, Bi-Rex++) and Seal of Excellence projects (PICS2, DIGITAL ACE) focused on AI, IoT, robotics, cyber security, and high-performance computing for cooperatives. Key platforms include AGRITECHUB for precision agriculture with blockchain traceability, and initiatives like Cooperazione Digitale, CooDING, Acoda, and Cooperative AI exploring cooperative-focused AI applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DIGIWISE: E-democracy platform for cooperative governance, participation, and collaboration - managing assemblies, voting, proposing initiatives and organizing remote events.
• CooDING
• Cooperazione Digitale

Products and services

• DIGIWISE E-Democracy Platform An e-democracy platform for cooperative governance that enables assembly management, voting, proposals, debates, event organization, and digital participation. Free access for cooperatives, with non-modifiable activity logs for transparency.
• Digital Maturity Assessment (SELFI 4.0)

Quantifiable outcome

• 22,000+ member cooperatives, 113,000+ members, 82 billion EUR production value, 3.5% of Italy's national GDP — served through a single cooperative Digital Innovation Hub
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Legacoop NazionalecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Fondazione PICO is the official Digital Innovation Hub of Legacoop Nazionale. Legacoop is the largest Italian cooperative association, with 22,000+ member enterprises, 113,000+ members, and 82 billion EUR in production value (3.5% of national GDP). 15 territorial Legacoop structures serve as the primary distribution channel for PICO's services nationwide.
• CoopfondcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoopfond (Legacoop's development fund) is one of the founding promoters of Fondazione PICO, contributing to its establishment and ongoing mission to support cooperative digital transformation.
• Fondazione ASPHI ETSflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFondazione PICO entered as a member of Fondazione ASPHI ETS, an alliance focused on using digital technology to reduce social and technological inequalities. Shared vision of innovation that values people, starting from the most vulnerable, with joint projects on neurodivergence, disability inclusion, and digital accessibility in cooperatives.
• EDIH4Marche (Marche Digital Innovation Hub)flagshipTechnology or IntegrationEuropean Digital Innovation Hub active in the Marche region, with PICO participating through its local PICO Marche node. Expertise in AI, Cyber Physical Production Systems, Industrial IoT, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity. Focus on digital and green transformation for the Marche economic sector.
• Artes 5.0 – Restart ItalyflagshipTechnology or IntegrationEuropean Digital Innovation Hub specialized in robotics and AI, supporting innovative and sustainable value chains. Involves 22 Italian partners across the country including Fondazione PICO and PICO Sicily node. Focus on health, green energy, quality of life, regenerative economy, and creative/cultural industries.
• Bi-Rex++coreTechnology or IntegrationSeal of Excellence (PNRR-funded national innovation hub) led by Bi-Rex Competence Center specializing in Big Data, High Performance Computing, AI, and cybersecurity. PICO and PICO Emilia-Romagna participate as partners. Over 50 partners involved overall.
• PICS2 – Puglia Innovation Center for Safety and SecuritycoreTechnology or IntegrationSeal of Excellence with EUR 4+ million PNRR funding. Led by Libera Università Mediterranea Giuseppe Degennaro, with PICO Puglia and Legacoop Puglia as key partners. Targets 315 micro/small, 83 medium, 20 large enterprises + 45 public administrations in Southern Italy for digital and green transition.
• AlmaVicoo (University of Bologna Cooperative Center)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlmaVicoo is the University of Bologna's center for cooperation. PICO co-organizes the Cooperative AI initiative and COODING conference with AlmaVicoo. AlmaVicoo's mission connects the cooperative ecosystem with Bologna university departments through 3 axes: university training, innovation prototyping, and research.
• DIGITAL ACE – Artisanal & Cooperative Enterprises HubflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovative national hub jointly established by Fondazione PICO and CNA (Italian National Confederation of Crafts and SMEs), supported by the Italian Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy under PNRR. Targets 7,500 cooperative and artisan enterprises across Italy for digital transformation and skills development.
• Acoda (AI Cooperative Network)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcoda is a cooperative AI network promoted by Legacoop Bologna, Fondazione del Monte di Bologna e Ravenna, and Fondazione PICO. Vision of AI based on cooperation, data sharing, and collective value creation. Aims to make data and AI a digital commons for welfare, healthcare, energy, environment, and logistics.
• Consorzio 4FormcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the DIGIWISE project ('Verso una Democrazia Digitale Partecipativa e Inclusiva'), selected and supported by Fondo per la Repubblica Digitale Impresa sociale. Contributes to digital skills development for cooperatives.
• Open Formazione Srl Impresa SocialecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DIGIWISE project and co-organizer of Cooperative AI events and COODING conference. Specializes in training and education services for cooperatives and social enterprises.
• UnioncamerecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for SELFI 4.0 Digital Maturity Assessment service. From the PICO website, cooperatives can directly access the Unioncamere platform to assess their digital maturity. Fondazione PICO and Unioncamere act as autonomous Data Controllers, with PICO providing accompaniment support throughout the assessment process.
• CNA (Confederazione Nazionale Artigianato e PMI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint implementation of the DIGITAL ACE Hub alongside Fondazione PICO, bringing together cooperatives and artisan SMEs for digital transformation. Supported by the Italian Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy under PNRR.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Confcooperative: Italy's second-largest cooperative association (alongside Legacoop). Comparable in serving Italian cooperatives with advisory and representation services, and a potential counterpart for digital innovation support in the cooperative sector.
• Euclid Network: European network for social enterprises and cooperatives focused on innovation, impact measurement, and policy. Comparable as a pan-European cooperative and social-enterprise innovation intermediary.
• AlmaVicoo – University of Bologna Cooperative Center: University of Bologna's center for cooperation and PICO's primary academic partner on Cooperative AI research. Comparable as a research-and-innovation intermediary between cooperatives and academia.
• Cooperatives Europe: European regional organization of the International Cooperative Alliance, representing cooperative enterprises at EU level. Comparable mission in cooperative advocacy, policy, and digital transition support.
• CECOP – European Confederation of Cooperatives and Social Enterprises: European-level cooperative and social enterprise confederation that co-organizes the COODING international conference with Fondazione PICO and is positioned on the same cooperative digital innovation agenda. Highly comparable mission and stakeholder base.
• Fondazione Centro Studi Doc: Italian cooperative research and training foundation that co-organizes COODING with PICO and AlmaVicoo. Directly comparable as a cooperative-focused research and education entity.
• Coopermondo: Italian NGO linked to Confcooperative supporting cooperative development internationally, including digital and skills initiatives. Comparable as a cooperative-affiliated organization delivering capacity-building and digital support.
• CNA – Confederazione Nazionale Artigianato e PMI: Italian confederation of crafts and SMEs that co-implements the DIGITAL ACE Hub with Fondazione PICO. Comparable as a national SME/crafts representative body delivering digital transformation services.

Regional players

• Mondragon Corporation: Federation of Spanish cooperatives with its own innovation arm (Mondragon Innovation & Knowledge) and a global benchmark for cooperative enterprise. Comparable in operating a cooperative-led digital and industrial innovation ecosystem, but in Spain rather than Italy.

Emerging players

• Bi-Rex Competence Center: Italian Big Data, HPC, AI and cybersecurity competence center that leads the Bi-Rex++ Seal of Excellence in which PICO participates. Comparable as an Italian digital innovation hub competing for the same PNRR and EU funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FondazionePICO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazione-pico

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fondazione PICO