Written by Natalie Marquez Courtney
Fashion, design, art, history, culture, food, and now technology.
advertisementThe ancient city of Milan was never afraid of innovation. It has now established itself as an exciting and growing technology hub, home to ambitious developers, entrepreneurs and businesses.
If you've only ever considered Italian cities as vacation destinations, think again. So what makes Milan the perfect place for tech workers?
Investing in innovators is expensive
As Italy's business and financial capital, it's no wonder Milan is becoming Italy's leading technology capital.
In 2022 alone, Over 1.3 billion euros invested Start-ups in Milan are dominated by fintech and biotech companies.
This level of investment puts Milan in third place in Europe, even compared to more established ecosystems such as Paris and London.
advertisementAt the end of 2023, Milan will be home to 2,669 innovative start-ups, the highest number in Italy, accounting for almost 20% of Italy's total.
There is a lot of room for growth and the Italian government is keen to help.
Since 2016, it has introduced a series of reforms, tax breaks and incentives that make it easier to both invest in and establish innovative start-ups. These include interest-free loans, tax credits for research and development expenses, and income tax exemptions for new residents.
Would you like to join a hot start-up company? euronews job board There are hundreds of opportunities across Europe.
Superior quality of life for young tech workers
Milan is a fun and vibrant hub for people starting a career in technology. Boasting a large and efficient transportation system, it outperforms the world average in terms of work-life balance and health care, according to the OECD's Better Life Index.
The cost of living in Milan is lower than in other major tech hubs (one euro for an espresso, anyone?), and with seven universities in the city, access to great museums and cultural attractions is easy. Not to mention, it has a vibrant social scene and great nightlife.
Be careful whether you choose to work for a startup or a big tech company (IBM, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon all have offices there). euronews job board You'll be part of a diverse and growing tech community with regular recruiting sessions, meetups, hackathons, and tech events.
A vibrant fintech hub for experienced developers
Home to more than 13,800 financial companies, including the Italian Stock Exchange, Milan's fintech industry is booming, with almost half of Italy's fintech companies based in Milan.
An industry leader in smart payments, insurtech, regtech, capital markets and trading, Milan's FinTech Dedicated District is home to over 280 FinTech companies and 14 corporate partners, making it Italy's largest FinTech community.
Although fintech funding has declined globally in recent months, Italy's fintech market remains strong and continues to attract international investment.
advertisementIn 2022, two Milan-based startups achieved unicorn status, solidifying their position as the country's fintech capital.
Moreover, between 2011 and 2023, the number of Italian fintech companies increased from 16 to 630, with Milan leading this growth.
Interested in working and living in a city of style? Visit the Euronews Jobs Board to find exciting job openings at both established companies and start-ups
