OPEN LAB S.R.L.

What OPEN LAB S.R.L. does

Open Lab S.r.l. is an Italian private limited company founded in 2021 and headquartered in Modena, operating the Laboratori Aperti (Open Lab) network of innovation hubs across five cities in Emilia-Romagna (Modena, Ferrara, Piacenza, Forlì, Ravenna). The company provides a hybrid physical-and-digital innovation infrastructure comprising coworking and event spaces (housed in Modena's repurposed Ex Centrale AEM power plant), structured training programs including IFTS-certified courses in multimedia production for cultural heritage and sports management, startup incubation via the Start-Up Creation Lab with Gate REI, youth STEM education through MakerDojo and Comau e.DO robotics, and citizen digital-literacy services under the Digitale Facile program. Its core technology is the Open Lab Platform, a multi-target digital infrastructure integrating three software assets with an AI-powered 'Ask Me Anything' engine, complemented by AI conversational avatars for cultural heritage and an AI-driven immersive room ('Mini Five' robots) for sustainability communication, spanning text, audio, image, video, and multimodal AI modalities.

The company's revenue model is primarily public-sector: operations are funded through European Regional Development Fund (FESR 2021-2027) grants administered by Regione Emilia-Romagna under the Laboratori Aperti mandate, with supplementary revenue from professional training delivered in partnership with providers such as Zenit Formazione. Most end-user services (coworking, events, IFTS courses, Digitale Facile, MakerDojo) are provided free of charge to participants. Distribution combines a regional physical hub (Modena), online/virtual programming via the Open Lab Platform, and a multi-city channel network across the five Laboratori Aperti cities, reaching citizens, students, startups, cultural institutions, and local enterprises.

Name

OPEN LAB S.R.L.

Legal name

Open Lab S.r.l.

Website

https://laboratorioapertomodena.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Open Lab S.r.l. operates publicly-funded innovation hubs across five Emilia-Romagna cities, providing coworking, training, startup incubation, and an AI-powered citizen collaboration platform to citizens, students, startups, and cultural institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Hub and Community Innovation Services

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAEAGAI

Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming)

Education/Education Facilities & Support Services/Library, Media Center & Learning Space Operations

SECONDARYEDAMADAC

Makerspaces & Fab Labs (Open Build Studios)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/Robotics, Engineering & Makerspaces

SECONDARYEDAMABAA

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

SECONDARYBPAEANAJ

Infrastructure, Networking & Systems Administration Training

Business & Public Services/IT & Digital Services (Managed Services, Systems Integration)/IT Training & Technical Enablement Services

Keywords

• Innovation hub services
• Community coworking spaces
• Professional training programs
• Citizen engagement platforms
• Digital transformation consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Modena

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public/Institutional Funding: Open Lab operates as part of the Laboratori Aperti network of Emilia-Romagna, funded through regional and EU cohesion funds (FESR - Fondo Europeo di Sviluppo Regionale, Programma Regionale 2021-2027). The organization appears to be primarily publicly funded for its innovation hub operations.
2. Training and Education Services: Provides professional training courses (IFTS programs, digital facilitation courses, workshops) in partnership with Zenit Formazione and other educational institutions. Some courses are free (funded), others may have fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OPEN LAB S.R.L. operates the Laboratori Aperti network of physical innovation hubs in Emilia-Romagna, providing coworking spaces, event venues, and professional training facilities in five cities. It runs the proprietary Open Lab Platform, an AI-enabled digital collaboration environment for citizen science, alongside structured programs including startup incubation (Start-Up Creation Lab), IFTS vocational courses, youth STEM education (MakerDojo, Comau e.DO robotics), the Digitale Facile digital literacy initiative, and a continuous self-assessment service for cultural institutions' digital maturity.

Product overview

OPEN LAB S.R.L. operates as an innovation and digital transformation company managing the Laboratori Aperti network in Emilia-Romagna (Modena, Ferrara, Piacenza, Forlì, Ravenna). The core offering is the Open Lab Platform, a multi-purpose innovation platform with AI capabilities (including an 'Ask me anything' engine) that creates digital twins of physical collaborative spaces. The portfolio includes training programs (IFTS multimedia production, sports management, AI/Machine Learning workshops, digital facilitation), youth education programs (MakerDojo, robotics with Comau e.DO), event programs (Talk Together discussions, Smart Life Festival), and advisory services (crowdfunding center, digital maturity assessment). The Open Lab Platform serves as the central digital infrastructure enabling community collaboration, project work, and citizen science activities across all physical laboratory locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Open Lab Platform A multi-target, multipurpose intelligent platform for collaborative digital community building and citizen science engagement. Integrates three software assets including an AI-powered Ask Me Anything engine, creating a digital twin of the physical laboratories for both physical and digital collaboration.
• Start-Up Creation Lab Entrepreneurship and startup incubation program in partnership with Gate REI, providing mentorship, ecosystem access, and structured support for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage startups.
• IFTS Course - Multimedia Production Technician for Cultural Heritage Free advanced training course (800 hours: 440 classroom, 360 internship) for multimedia production technicians specializing in cultural heritage valorization using multimedia, storytelling, gaming, augmented reality, and digital communication.
• IFTS Course - Sports Management Technician IFTS course (800 hours: 500 classroom, 280 internship, 20 project work) for sports management covering eSports, immersive sports entertainment, and sports technology innovation.
• Workshop Machine Learning and Computer Vision 30-hour workshop on Machine Learning and Computer Vision covering Python projects, technical fundamentals, and ethical AI impact considerations, delivered as part of the Talenti@MO youth talent development project.
• IA ed Excel - AI and Excel Training Course 24-hour training course integrating AI with Excel using Power Query, Power Pivot, and DAX for professional report automation and decision-making optimization, in partnership with Zenit Formazione.
• Immersive Storytelling with VR and AR Technologies 24-hour free course for freelance professionals on immersive storytelling using VR and AR technologies to create engaging digital content, in partnership with Zenit Formazione.
• Digitale Facile Public digital facilitation program offering free courses on computer usage, internet, email, Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), smartphone/tablet usage, and public online services for citizens needing digital skills support.
• MakerDojo Club

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gate Real Estate Innovation Srl SB (Gate REI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGate REI is the creator of the Start-Up Creation Lab program, a key entrepreneurship initiative hosted at Open Lab. Fabio Sgaragli serves as President of Gate REI and frequently moderates Open Lab events. The partnership drives startup ecosystem development in Modena.
• Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNIMORE collaborates on research projects including the digital maturity assessment of cultural institutions (OPERA research unit), innovation talks, student programs, and urban regeneration studies. The university provides academic credibility and research expertise.
• Comune di ModenacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Modena partners on the Talenti@MO project for youth innovation and talent development. Mayor GianCarlo Muzzarelli participates in key events. The municipality provides funding and institutional support for community programs.
• Art-ERminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in the Talenti@MO project alongside Open Lab, Camera di Commercio, Fondazione Democenter, and Tecnopolo for youth innovation initiatives.
• Zenit FormazioneminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaborates on professional training courses including the AI and Excel integration program (24 hours) and storytelling with VR/AR technologies. Provides instructional expertise and course delivery.
• GDG Cloud ModenaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoogle Developer Groups local community that co-organizes tech events at Open Lab including AI & Smart Cities talks and Women Techmakers Modena 2025.
• MakerDojominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRuns coding, robotics, and making education programs for youth (ages 8-17) including Summer Camps and MakerDojo Club. Educational technology partner for STEM programs.
• Achab GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on sustainability events including the Smart Life Festival 2024 and immersive sustainability installations. Paolo Silingardi (President) is a regular contributor to environmental programs.
• Fab VisionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuggero Civitarese (CEO) participates in sustainability and gamification talks. Collaborates on immersive technology installations for environmental education.
• CRIT (Cluster di Ricerca e Innovazione tecnologica)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on the AMBIANCE European project, organizing biopolymers and ecodesign training for sustainable industry. CRIT provides technology transfer expertise.
• Opera - Università di Modena e Reggio EmiliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPERA research unit conducts studies on collaborative spaces in southern Italy and presents findings at Open Lab events. Fabrizio Montanari (Professor) contributes to research on organizational innovation.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TIM WCAP: Telecom Italia's open innovation hub providing coworking, accelerator programs, and events across Italian cities. Closely comparable as a domestically-funded Italian innovation hub offering training, events, and startup support programs.
• Impact Hub: Global network of innovation hubs and coworking spaces offering programming, community events, and accelerator support for entrepreneurs. Highly comparable to Open Lab's physical hub + community programming model, with broader geographic reach.
• FabLab Italia Network: National network of Italian Fab Labs offering digital fabrication, maker education, and innovation programs. Comparable as Italian makerspace operators with EU/regional funding and STEM education programming aligned with Open Lab's MakerDojo offerings.

Emerging players

• Cisco Networking Academy (Italy): Global IT training program with presence in Italy offering courses in networking, cybersecurity, and digital skills. Comparable as a structured digital training provider targeting students and professionals, including free entry-level programs similar to Digitale Facile.
• Codemotion: Italian tech community and education platform organizing events, hackathons, and developer training programs. Comparable in community-driven GTM, tech events (Talk Together equivalent), and training/education offerings for developers and tech professionals.

Others

• Regione Emilia-Romagna ART-ER: Regional innovation agency of Emilia-Romagna supporting innovation, research, and enterprise development. Comparable as ecosystem orchestrator and program partner within the same regional context, providing some of the same startup and innovation support services.

Regional players

• Officine On/Off: Italian innovation hub and digital fabrication laboratory providing coworking, training, and maker services. Comparable regional model combining physical innovation space, training programs, and community engagement.
• Synergia Hub / Synergia Lab: Italian public-private innovation lab providing spaces, training, and events for digital and cultural transformation. Comparable as a regional innovation hub with EU funding support, training programs, and cultural-tech focus.
• Casa delle Tecnologie Emergenti (CTE): Italian public-funded innovation labs focused on emerging technologies (IoT, AI, blockchain) developed through MISE funding. Comparable in public funding model, focus on digital transformation, and physical innovation lab operations, though covering different cities.

Broad incumbents

• WeWork Labs: Global innovation program offering coworking, accelerator support, and community programming for startups. Comparable in community-led GTM motion, events, and entrepreneur support, though operating at far larger scale commercially.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/laboratoriaper1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7CWF2HzBFxBnMB00KLMgHw
• Facebookfacebook.com/laboratorioapertomodena
• Instagraminstagram.com/laboratorioapertomodena
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/openlabsrl

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 OPEN LAB S.R.L.