What Decode39 does

Decode39 is a digital-first geopolitical news publication headquartered in Rome, Italy, operating as a spin-off from Formiche, an established Italian geopolitical outlet that has informed Italian decision-makers since 2004. Founded on December 10, 2021, with a launch event held at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs attended by Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and former Interior Minister Marco Minniti, Decode39 provides authoritative analysis across politics, economy, defense, energy, and technology and security, framed from Italy's vantage point as a crossroads between Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Middle East. The publication distributes content in both English and Arabic, the latter through a dedicated edition at ar.decode39.com launched in 2025, targeting Italian and international decision-makers, foreign-affairs professionals, and English and Arabic-speaking global audiences.

The underlying platform is a WordPress-based content management system with multilingual support, featuring standard editorial sections (Politics, Economy, Defense, Energy, Technology and Security) and an Overviews section for longer-form analytical content. Distribution occurs via direct website access (no paywall), newsletter subscription, organic social sharing, and audience cross-promotion through the sister Formiche publication and editorial collaboration with the Med-Or Italian Foundation.

The business model is anchored in digital advertising placements, sponsored/branded content targeting institutional readers, and newsletter subscriptions — the latter of which may include premium briefings, though pricing is not publicly disclosed. No funding rounds, external investors, named advertisers, or revenue figures have been disclosed in available sources, and the operation appears to run as a lean editorial spin-off under the Formiche media umbrella.

Name

Decode39

Legal name

Decode39

Website

https://decode39.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Decode39 is a digital geopolitical news publication spun off from Italian outlet Formiche, delivering authoritative analysis from Italy's perspective to English and Arabic-speaking global audiences via its website and newsletter. It serves policymakers, foreign-affairs professionals, and international readers interested in geopolitics, defense, and technology security.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rome

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital advertising and sponsored content: Decode39 generates revenue through digital advertising placements on its website and potentially through sponsored content or branded articles targeting its readership of Italian decision-makers and international affairs professionals.
2. Newsletter subscriptions: The platform offers newsletter subscriptions as a reader engagement mechanism, potentially including premium content or exclusive briefings for subscribers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Decode39 is a digital-first geopolitical news publication covering Italian foreign policy, defense, energy, technology, security, and economic affairs. It is published in English and Arabic and operates as an editorial spin-off from the Italian media group Formiche. The platform combines daily news reporting, analytical Overviews, and newsletter distribution to serve international readers and policy audiences.

Product overview

Decode39 is a spin-off project from Formiche, a leading geopolitical and analytical news outlet informing Italian decision-makers since 2004. It operates as a unified news platform delivering authoritative content and geopolitical insights across multiple categories including Politics, Economy, Technology and Security, Defense, Energy, and World affairs. The publication serves English and Arabic-speaking audiences globally, leveraging Italy's unique position as a global crossroads. The portfolio consists of the core Decode39 News Platform, the Arabic Edition (Decode39 in Arabic), and the Overviews section for in-depth analytical content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Decode39 in Arabic: Arabic language version of Decode39 providing geopolitical insights to Arabic readers around the world

Products and services

• Decode39 News Platform Decode39 News Platform is an English-language digital news website providing daily geopolitical coverage of Italian foreign policy, defense, energy, technology, security, and the economy, targeted at international policy readers, journalists, diplomats, and analysts.
• Decode39 Arabic Edition Decode39 Arabic Edition is an Arabic-language version of the Decode39 news platform, delivering Italian geopolitical coverage to Arabic-speaking readers in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
• Overviews Analytical Reports Overviews is a series of longer-form analytical reports published by Decode39, offering in-depth analysis of Italian foreign policy, defense, energy, and security topics for policy professionals and analysts.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.

• FormichecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecode39 is a spin-off project from Formiche, a leading geopolitical and analytical news outlet established in 2004. This parent-subsidiary relationship provides editorial expertise, brand credibility, content collaboration, and audience cross-promotion between the two publications.
• Med-Or Italian FoundationnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerDecode39 maintains editorial collaboration with the Med-Or Italian Foundation, featuring coverage of Med-Or events and initiatives including Med-Or Day conferences and Africa-focused discussions.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Euronews: Major European multilingual news platform covering EU affairs, geopolitics, and Mediterranean policy. Comparable multilingual digital-first distribution model, though at far larger scale and broader remit than Decode39.
• Il Sole 24 Ore: Italy's leading financial and political daily, with broad coverage of economy, energy, defense, and EU affairs. Larger and broader than Decode39, but operates in overlapping editorial territory for Italian and European geopolitical coverage.
• Al Jazeera English: Global news network operating in English and Arabic with strong coverage of Middle East, Mediterranean, and European affairs. Overlaps with Decode39's bilingual (English/Arabic) model and Mediterranean geopolitical niche at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Formiche: Parent publication and direct peer; Formiche has been informing Italian decision-makers on geopolitics, defense, and security since 2004. Decode39 is its English/Arabic-facing spin-off, sharing editorial voice, audience funnel, and cross-promotion.
• Politico Europe: European political and policy journalism platform with strong coverage of EU affairs, NATO, and geopolitical dynamics. Comparable in audience (policymakers, diplomats, analysts) and product (digital-first political news with newsletters and premium tiers).
• Middle East Eye: English-language news outlet focused on geopolitics across the Middle East and North Africa, with Arabic-language coverage and a Mediterranean focus. Comparable multilingual digital-first model targeting Western and Arab audiences interested in regional geopolitics.
• Limes: Italian geopolitical magazine covering world affairs, defense, and Mediterranean strategy. Closely aligned with Decode39's editorial niche of Italian-perspective geopolitical analysis for an Italian and international policy readership.

Emerging players

• ISPI (Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale): Leading Italian geopolitical think tank that publishes online analysis and reports on international politics, Mediterranean affairs, and global security. Overlaps with Decode39 in publishing analytical geopolitical content for Italy-focused and international readers.

Regional players

• Wanted in Rome: English-language digital publication covering Italian politics, society, and international affairs for international readers in Italy. Comparable in serving English-speaking audiences interested in Italy via a digital-first newsletter-supported model.
• The Local Italy: English-language digital news outlet serving English-speaking readers in Italy with coverage of Italian politics, economy, and society. Comparable in serving English-speaking audiences interested in Italy from a foreign-language platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/en_decode39
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/decode39

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 Decode39