Entrepreneurship
Theme: Innovation
Cross-cutting themes covered: Business Incubation Facilities
Name of project: Tecnocity Alto Milanese
City: Milan
What is it? Tecnocity is a redevelopment of a 24,500m2 industrial site in Legnano, formerly owned by the public company Ansaldo. The site now houses a business incubator, which promotes and supports innovative start-ups and existing companies.
Who is it? Tecnocity is a development led by public and private partners in the Legnano area in Milan. The lead partner is Euroimpresa Legnano, the local development agency of the Province of Milan.
Where is it? The Legnano area was affected by a process of de-industrialisation in the 1980s, leading to a loss of competitiveness and high unemployment.
Who funds it? The project cost a total of €6.5 million, financed through:
How does it work? • Business incubation: The incubator provides 9,000m2 of space for innovative companies. It offers several services, for example:
Most companies operating in the Tecnocity have less than 20 employees, with 56.8% of companies employing less than five members of staff. Businesses residing at the incubator have subsidised rents.
Anything else? • Support with testing new products: A laboratory where businesses are able to test new products has recently been developed at Tecnocity. At its inception, Tecnocity was open to various types of companies. Since the development of this new test and research centre, Tecnocity is aiming to attract businesses from sectors that could make use of the new centre.
What are the results?
Is it successful? The tailored support offered to women entrepreneurs and companies wishing to export their products and services are particularly successful.
Is the model transferable ? Many aspects of the project are transferable, for example the provision of tailored services for start-up companies, women entrepreneurs and businesses requiring support with exporting their products.
Building on local competitive advantages? The incubator was able to benefit from several competitive advantages, which may not be easily transferable elsewhere. For example, it is in close proximity to universities, such as the Milan Politecnico.
In addition, a high number of enterprise associations are based in the area, such as the Business Association of Legnano, the Artisan Association and the Chambers of Commerce, which can promote networking among companies in Tecnocity.
What are the barriers to transferability? Market conditions may be different in other areas, which may also pose challenges for transferability. In Legnano, there was great demand for incubator facilities within the business community, and public sector finance was available to develop the project.
