Featured image: Microsoft Copilot
Despite being a smaller country with respect to landmass, Italy has a population of over 59 million people which has led to the development of dense urban areas to where gaming culture has been able to thrive in the country. Although Italy has not been able to garner the same international attention through events and investments as other European countries, it still has an esports ecosystem accommodating the establishment of startups and companies.
Here are some of the esports companies founded and based in Italy you should know of:
- Vitruvian VR: Based in Padova, Italy and founded in 2019, Vitruvian VR is specialized in the manufacturing of VR simulators. The Vitruvian VR simulator is a professional system with a gyroscopic structure which is inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. The machine uses automation and industrial components combined in a new and innovative way that allow high performances and reactivity suitable for multiple VR experiences such as flight or driving simulations. It has a full 360 degree structure, VVR allows a complete coherence between the user’s body and the virtual environments, hence avoiding motion sickness, one of the main issues with VR. Surveys from the after-experience of users reported minimal even after several minutes of gameplay.
- Round Two Interactive: Based in Itala, Italy and founded in 2021 by Andrea Mancuso, Round Two Interactive is dedicated to developing competitive video games designed to challenge and entertain gamers from around the world, fueling their passion for competitive gaming, with a focus on innovation and adapting to market needs, creating immersive gaming experiences which become an integral part of players’ lives.
- MCES ITALIA: Founded in 2020 in Roma by Tommaso Maria Ricci and Alessio Marvona, this is an esports division of the international company MCES based in Italy. MCES ITALIA’s mission is to provide professional advice to sports clubs to facilitate their entry into the esports market and to exploit the new forms of communication related to gaming, creating and organizing events, tournaments, communication formats and specialized training.
- GameShard: GameShard is an automated tournament platform for video games in Bari, Italy founded in 2016 by Nicola Delle Foglie. This is a fully automated platform that integrates with various popular games including League of Legends, VALORANT, Fortnite, Apex Legends and Clash Royale. The platform is designed to provide gamers with a seamless and exciting experience by offering various tools to focus on playing rather than dealing with disputes, match reschedules among other related inconsistencies.
- Furia Software: Founded in 2023 by Edoardo Vojvoda based in Pordenone, Italy, Furia Software is revolutionizing esports with AI solutions and data analysis. They utilize APIs from popular video games to create tournaments and generate statistical data. Additionally there is a unique matchmaking system that leverages data analysis to provide the best possible gaming experience for players.
- Beaths: Founded by Fabio Ferrotti and Omar Fulvio in 2020 based in Empoli, Italy, Beaths is a fashion gaming brand that combines fashion and technology. They represent and support the lifestyle and performance of boys and girls who live and compete within the gaming culture everyday. They attend to the needs of professional esports athletes, creating a fashion and performance identity and creating both physical and digital content and products. Then they market them into e-commerce as well as marketplaces, metaverses and video games making the experience with Beaths products unprecedented.
- MyPad: Based in Milan and founded in 2022 by Nicola Brivio and Marco Santoro, MyPad is a gaming marketplace where players can shop from different vendors and get exclusive promotions, discounts and free goods by participating in gaming tournaments and competitions. Players get a token from the tournaments for rewards from brands in the market, and brands sell and advertise on the platform to maximise their conversion in the market.
- Brotherhood Italian Gaming SSDrl: Founded in 2021 in Arcore, Italy, Brotherhood Italian Gaming uses esports and technology to improve the quality of life. With the help of professionals in the fields of psychology, physiotherapy and coaching they support sport centers, companies, athletes and teams in developing their physical and mental abilities in an immersive and engaging way.
- Trixo: Founded in 2022 and based in Napoli, Italy, Trixo is an esports gym and is a cutting-edge facility catering to esports enthusiasts. It is equipped with state-of-the-art gaming setups, ergonomic seating and advanced technology, it provides a professional and immersive gaming experience. There are expert coaches who offer training sessions, enhancing skills and strategy to help foster a vibrant esports community.
- EKO S.r.l: Founded by Attilio Bartoli and Marco Ferraro in 2023 in Palermo, Italy, EKO S.r.l is a tech media company focused on esports and influencer marketing, driving visibility and engagement for brands through their esports and media divisions. Their esports division includes multiple competitive teams each specializing in a specific game title and their media division operates as a talent agency managing a network of content creators with a technical support staff, including CMOs, CCOs, social media managers, talent managers, designers, and videographers.
We only offer information available to us and we will be on the lookout for more esports companies in Italy. Share with us also what companies we may have missed out.
Esports has helped create jobs for lots of people. Interested in knowing about the business side of esports? Listen to the Gamers Change Lives Podcast! We get experienced guests from all around the world featuring.
Written by Jeffrey Osei-Agyeman
