TEDxLakeComo

What TEDxLakeComo does

TEDxLakeComo is an independently organized TEDx event licensed by the non-profit TED, founded in 2011 as the first TEDx event in Italy. It produces a single annual one-day live conference held at the Centro Congressi Villa Erba in Cernobbio, on Lake Como, attracting 1,100+ attendees per edition. Across 16 editions it has cumulatively served more than 14,500 participants, featured 185+ curated speakers, and mobilized 1,200+ volunteers and team members.

The event follows the standard TED format: registration, two talk sessions (morning and afternoon), a packed lunch intermission, and an evening get-together. Each edition is built around a distinct annual theme — the XVI edition (7 November 2026) is titled "Futuro Anteriore" (Future Perfect) and frames the program around shared responsibility, vision, and lasting legacy. There is no proprietary technology platform; TEDxLakeComo is a curated live-experience product rather than a software or hardware business.

The business model combines two revenue streams: (1) ticket sales distributed exclusively via Eventbrite, with pricing not publicly disclosed, and (2) a four-tier corporate sponsorship program (Visionari, Pionieri, Esploratori, Tecnici) supplemented by institutional endorsements (Comune di Cernobbio, Comune di Como, Confindustria Como, Università Insubria). TEDxLakeComo is a non-profit operating with a 7-person team and reaches audiences primarily through organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) and partner-driven word-of-mouth within the Lombardy region.

Name

TEDxLakeComo

Legal name

TEDxLakeComo

Website

https://tedxlakecomo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

TEDxLakeComo is a non-profit, independently organized TEDx event — the first in Italy — producing a single annual one-day conference at Villa Erba in Cernobbio for 1,100+ attendees, funded by ticket sales and a four-tier corporate sponsorship ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Events / Conferences

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

Keywords

• Live speaking events
• Annual conferences
• Idea sharing platform
• TEDx event organization
• Community events

Headquarters

HQ city

Cernobbio

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Ticket Sales: TEDxLakeComo generates revenue through the sale of tickets to its annual flagship event. Tickets are sold via Eventbrite for the XVI edition (Futuro Anteriore, 7 November 2026) at the Centro Congressi Villa Erba, Cernobbio.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TEDxLakeComo organizes an independently licensed TEDx event held once per year at Centro Congressi Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Italy. The offering is a single full-day live conference featuring curated expert talks across two sessions, a packed lunch intermission, and an evening get-together, sold primarily via ticket purchases on Eventbrite. The XVI edition (November 7, 2026) is themed "Futuro Anteriore" and is supported by a tiered partner sponsorship ecosystem and institutional endorsements.

Product overview

TEDxLakeComo is a single-event annual conference format organized independently under TEDx license. The XVI Edition (2026) is titled 'Futuro Anteriore' (Future Perfect) and features a full-day program with live talks, speaker sessions, and networking activities held at Villa Erba Congress Center in Cernobbio, Italy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• TEDxLakeComo Annual Conference (XVI Edition — "Futuro Anteriore") An independently organized annual TEDx conference held at Centro Congressi Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Italy, featuring curated live expert talks across two sessions (morning and afternoon), a packed lunch intermission, and an evening get-together. The event follows the standard TED format and is targeted at professionals, entrepreneurs, students, and thought leaders seeking inspiration, knowledge, and networking. Tickets are sold via Eventbrite, with the XVI edition (November 7, 2026) themed "Futuro Anteriore" and capacity for 1,100+ attendees.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,500+ participants engaged across 16 editions
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered visionari (flagship), pionieri (core), esploratori (supporting), tecnici (operational), institutional supporter and institutional supporter (patrocini).

• Autolucevisionari (flagship)GTM or Marketing PartnerAutoluce is listed as a 'Visionari' partner — the highest tier of support. As a Visionari partner, Autoluce provides support for the event in exchange for brand visibility among the TEDxLakeComo audience. Autoluce is an Italian company (autolucesrl.it).
• Cassa Lombardavisionari (flagship)GTM or Marketing PartnerCassa Lombarda, a banking institution, is a Visionari-level partner. The bank supports the event as part of its cultural and community engagement initiatives, receiving prominent brand placement.
• ComoNExTvisionari (flagship)GTM or Marketing PartnerComoNExT is a Visionari partner — described as a technology or innovation hub/organization supporting the Lake Como territory. Their partnership aligns innovation and technology themes with the TEDx mission.
• Radisson Collection Lake Comovisionari (flagship)GTM or Marketing PartnerRadisson Collection Lake Como (Palazzo San Gottardo) is the Visionari hospitality partner, offering accommodation support for speakers and VIP guests. The partnership provides visibility to an international luxury audience.
• Achille Pintovisionari (flagship)GTM or Marketing PartnerAchille Pinto is a Visionari partner — a local textile/home brand (achillepinto.com). Their partnership provides sponsorship support in exchange for brand association with the high-profile TEDxLakeComo audience.
• Promecovisionari (flagship)GTM or Marketing PartnerPromeco is a Visionari partner — a local company (promeco.it) that supports the event's cultural mission, receiving brand visibility and association with TEDxLakeComo's audience.
• Rivautovisionari (flagship)GTM or Marketing PartnerRivauto is listed as a Visionari partner — a local automotive/mobility company (rivauto.it) that supports the event.
• Villa Erbavisionari (flagship)GTM or Marketing PartnerVilla Erba serves as both the venue host and a Visionari partner for the XVI edition. This is the 8th time TEDxLakeComo is held at Villa Erba's Centro Congressi. As a venue partner, Villa Erba provides the physical infrastructure (Padiglione Centrale, Ala Accoglienza, and surrounding park) for the event.
• Como 1907pionieri (core)GTM or Marketing PartnerComo 1907 is the football club of the city of Como, listed as a Pionieri partner. Their partnership connects the local sports community with the ideas/innovation space.
• Gabelpionieri (core)GTM or Marketing PartnerGabel (gabel1957.com) is a Pionieri partner — a well-known Italian home textiles company based in the Como area, with historical ties to the territory.
• Limontapionieri (core)GTM or Marketing PartnerLimonta (limontasport.com) is a Pionieri partner — a sports and outdoor fabric/fashion company from the Como region, sponsoring the event.
• Rattipionieri (core)GTM or Marketing PartnerRatti (ratti.it) is a Pionieri partner — a major silk and textile manufacturer headquartered in Como, one of the historical pillars of the local industrial fabric.
• Saatipionieri (core)GTM or Marketing PartnerSaati (saati.com) is a Pionieri partner — an advanced materials and technical fabrics company from the Como area, supporting the event.
• Tessabitpionieri (core)GTM or Marketing PartnerTessabit (tessabit.com) is a Pionieri partner — a local retail boutique in Como, known for its curated selection of fashion and design brands.
• Stucchiesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerStucchi (aagstucchi.it) is an Esploratori partner — a local company providing sponsorship support to the event.
• BTL Legali Associatiesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerBTL Legali Associati (legaliassociati.it) is an Esploratori partner — a law firm providing legal services sponsorship support.
• Castiglioniesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerCastiglioni (castiglioni.net) is an Esploratori partner — a local professional services or business firm.
• CTResploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerCTR (ctr-fisioterapia.it) is an Esploratori partner — a physiotherapy and rehabilitation center (Centro Terapia Riabilitativa).
• Equaesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerEqua (equaenergia.it) is an Esploratori partner — an energy company providing sponsorship support.
• Gentili Mosconiesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerGentili Mosconi (gentilimosconi.it) is an Esploratori partner — a historic bakery/pastry shop in Como.
• Istituto Pascoliesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerIstituto Pascoli (istituto-pascoli.com) is an Esploratori partner — an educational institution (school) in the Como area.
• Odontosaluteesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerOdontosalute (odontosalute.it/studi-odontoiatrici/odontosalute-como) is an Esploratori partner — a dental health clinic group.
• Reale Mutuaesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerReale Mutua (comoalighieri.it) is an Esploratori partner — a mutual insurance company with a local agency.
• Technoitesploratori (supporting)GTM or Marketing PartnerTechnoit (technoit.it) is an Esploratori partner — a technology services company providing sponsorship support.
• Bennettecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerBennet (bennet.com) is a Tecnici partner — a regional Italian supermarket chain providing logistical or operational support for the event.
• Capricciotecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerCapriccio (capricciodicomo.com) is a Tecnici partner — a local restaurant/food establishment in Como.
• Casnatitecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerCasnati (centrocasnati.it) is a Tecnici partner — a wellness/health center in the Como area.
• Enoteca Cateringtecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerEnoteca Catering (enotecacatering.com) is a Tecnici partner — providing catering services for the event (including the packed lunch between sessions).
• Tenute Lunellitecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerTenute Lunelli (tenutelunelli.it) is a Tecnici partner — a wine producer (Lunelli Group) providing beverage/aperitif offerings for the event.
• Forno Bonomitecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerForno Bonomi (fornobonomi.com) is a Tecnici partner — a historic bakery in Como, providing food offerings.
• Gadgetmaniatecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerGadgetmania (gadgetmania.it) is a Tecnici partner — a promotional items/m merchandise company providing event swag.
• Gruppo Mondadoritecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerGruppo Mondadori (gruppomondadori.it) is a Tecnici partner — a major Italian publishing house providing media/editorial support or branded materials.
• ICAM Cioccolatotecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerICAM Cioccolato (icamcioccolato.com) is a Tecnici partner — an artisan chocolate company providing food/gift items.
• Progardentecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerProgarden (ipae-progarden.com) is a Tecnici partner — a landscaping/gardening services company likely supporting venue presentation.
• Ratti Floratecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerRatti Flora (rattiflora.com) is a Tecnici partner — a florist/plant decor company providing floral arrangements for the venue.
• S. Bernardotecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerS. Bernardo (sanbernardo.it) is a Tecnici partner — a water/beverage brand providing still/sparkling water for the event.
• Tipografia Banfitecnici (operational)GTM or Marketing PartnerTipografia Banfi is a Tecnici partner — a printing press/graphics company providing printed materials (programs, signage, etc.) for the event.
• Comune di Cernobbioinstitutional supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerComune di Cernobbio is listed as a collaborator (in collaborazione con) — the host municipality of Villa Erba. Provides institutional support and likely facilitates venue access and local promotion.
• Comune di Comoinstitutional supporter (patrocini)GTM or Marketing PartnerComune di Como (City of Como) is listed under 'Patrocini' (sponsorships). Provides institutional endorsement and support for the event.
• Confindustria Comoinstitutional supporter (patrocini)GTM or Marketing PartnerConfindustria Como is the local employers' association/industrial chamber, providing institutional support under 'Patrocini'. Connects TEDxLakeComo with the local business community.
• Università Insubriainstitutional supporter (patrocini)GTM or Marketing PartnerUniversità Insubria (University of Insubria) is listed under 'Patrocini'. Provides academic endorsement and helps promote the event to the university community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• TEDxRoma: Established Italian TEDx event in Rome, operating in the same TEDx format with curated speaker talks and regional audience focus. Directly comparable in license structure and event production model.
• The European House – Ambrosetti: Organizer of the annual Forum 'The European House – Ambrosetti' held at Villa d'Este in Cernobbio — the same town as TEDxLakeComo's Villa Erba. Comparable premium invitation-only intellectual/policy forum targeting executives, policymakers, and institutional sponsors; directly competes for Cernobbio premium-event mindshare.
• TEDxMilano: Other major Italian TEDx event operating under the same TEDx license. Same conference format, similar audience of professionals and curious minds, and competes for the same Italian sponsor pool. Most directly comparable Italian TEDx peer.
• TEDxBologna: Another established Italian TEDx event with regional scope and similar one-day curated format. Comparable in audience targeting and sponsor ecosystem structure, though geographically focused on Emilia-Romagna rather than Lombardy.
• Wired Next Fest: Italian festival focused on innovation, technology, and future-of-work ideas targeting similar professional and entrepreneurial audiences. Comparable in content themes, premium-event positioning, and multi-tier sponsor ecosystem, though with broader commercial-media backing.

Regional players

• Festivaletteratura: Established annual literary and ideas festival in Mantua with a strong multi-tier sponsor ecosystem and curated program format. Comparable in annual premium-event structure and Italian regional positioning, though focused on literature rather than general ideas.
• Festival della Bellezza: Italian traveling ideas and culture festival held across premium venues, with comparable intellectual-event positioning targeting culturally engaged audiences. Shares the premium-venue, sponsor-supported model but with a beauty/culture rather than science/innovation emphasis.

Broad incumbents

• TED: The licensor and brand owner of the TEDx program; operates the flagship TED Conference and global digital platform. While not a direct competitor, its conferences and digital ecosystem define the format, brand standards, and content distribution model that TEDxLakeComo operates within.
• Web Summit: Global ideas-and-technology conference series with multiple annual editions. Sets the upper benchmark for international ideas-event scale and sponsor monetization; comparable in audience (professionals, innovators) and innovation-themes content, but operates at vastly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TEDxLakeComo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tedxlakecomo
• Instagraminstagram.com/tedxlakecomo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 TEDxLakeComo