SmartCityLab, an incubator, accelerator and tech lab, is born in Milan

The initiative, promoted by the city administration, is managed by Pwc, Lifegate, Lhub, Webgenesys and Designtech.

ecosystem

22 Jul 2025

The initiative, promoted by the city administration, is managed by Pwc, Lifegate, Lhub, Webgenesys and Designtech.

Author

Editorial Staff

Companies

SmartCityLab Milano

The actors involved in SmartCityLab Milano

The promoter of the initiative is the Municipality of Milan, which, through the launch of SmartCityLab Milano, emphasises the Administration’s interest and commitment to smart city issues, as evidenced by the numerous projects launched in recent years, such as Smart City and the development of the Extended Digital Twin, which aims to improve the provision of digital public services in the Milan metropolitan area through the digital representation of the city, powered by real-time data and information from all digital services in the area.

Alessia Cappello, Councillor for Economic Development and Labour Policies, recounts the genesis of the project, tracing its deep connection with the Milanese territory. “It has been a long and difficult journey, but today we are finally inaugurating a space that will be open, dynamic and capable of creating innovation. The SmartCityLab will be an incubator for companies specialising in innovative projects to make our cities smarter, more sustainable and more inclusive.

Giovanni Andrea Toselli, President and CEO of PwC Italy, expresses the potential of SmartCityLab Milano, illustrating the added value of the network of supporting companies and the busy schedule of activities and future events aimed at new entrepreneurs and citizens: “SmartCityLab Milano is a concrete example of urban innovation at the service of the local area: an open ecosystem where ideas and projects can be born, grow and transform into real solutions. The goal is to promote a more digital, sustainable and inclusive city, where innovation generates tangible benefits for citizens and encourages strategic investments for urban development. Only through integrated approaches, as also emphasised by European and global agendas, can smart cities become drivers of competitiveness, resilience and quality of life. This is where PwC’s commitment comes in, as it wants to contribute to the creation of an ecosystem in which ideas can evolve and find the ideal conditions to transform into high-impact solutions for progress, with a focus on digitalisation, sustainability, the enhancement of human capital and, in this case, urban capital as well.

In addition to the contribution of national players, SmartCityLab Milano boasts international supporters such as Ag.Cwb in Curitiba (Brazil) and Metropoli Foundation in Madrid (Spain).

A rich and innovative offering

The companies that make up the RTI pool their expertise, which ranges from open innovation, innovation, sustainability and technology to communication and urban development, to enable smart services powered by the strategic use of generative AI that are efficient and future-oriented for urban areas.

This has given rise to an innovative proposal aimed at businesses, public administration, institutions, new entrepreneurs and citizens. PwC Italia has been entrusted with the role of orchestrator, to effectively coordinate all the Lab’s activities and design innovation formats. There are four main activity platforms: Innovation strategy & venture clienting by PwC Italia, to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions through direct dialogue between start-ups, corporations and public administrations; Citizen Experience, managed by Lhub with Underdogs, with the aim of designing simple, intuitive digital experiences focused on people’s needs; Social Innovation, managed by LifeGate and LifeGate Way, which focuses on social impact and sustainability values; Urban Design & Art with Designtech, which transforms the city into a creative and functional space.

Webgenesys, as the system integrator of SmartCityLab, is the technological hub on which the entire digital architecture of the PA is based, ensuring technological integration and the implementation of tailor-made digital solutions for the PA.

The three pillars of SmartCityLab Milan

Entirely dedicated to innovation in all its forms, the Lab was designed to be: a certified incubator/accelerator for innovative companies operating in the field of smart and sustainable city solutions; a laboratory for research and experimentation with new technologies for the development of solutions capable of improving citizens’ quality of life; a centre for the promotion of urban innovation open to the City of Milan, through events, initiatives and the exhibition of cutting-edge technologies and solutions to spread knowledge and attract investment in the smart city sector.

These three pillars are also reflected in the configuration of the Lab’s headquarters: the building was designed to perform various functions, reflecting the multifaceted nature of SmartCityLab Milano. In fact, the Tech aggregator is its beating heart: here, start-ups and technologies are welcomed in a place that is also designed to be an innovation laboratory equipped with cutting-edge equipment for experimentation. A large auditorium, rooftop and training rooms are the ideal venues for conferences, talks, press days and a packed calendar of events open to the public to promote ideas and issues related to urban innovation.

There are also areas designed to encourage connections: coworking zones and open-plan spaces, as well as a café, conceived to facilitate interaction between different professionals and promote dialogue with the citizens of Milan.

Sustainability and connection with the Milan area

The SmartCityLab Milano building integrates sustainable solutions such as geothermal energy, photovoltaics, rainwater recovery and green roofs. It reduces energy loss (class A2/A1) and improves the microclimate with green walls. It also promotes sound insulation, increases air quality and biodiversity, ensuring energy efficiency and low environmental impact.

Located at Via Ripamonti 88, SmartCityLab Milano stands on a former industrial site owned by the Municipality of Milan, which has been reclaimed. SmartCityLab is the result of a programme agreement signed by the Municipality of Milan, which made the area available and owns the building, the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, which fully financed the project with €5 million, and Invitalia, which was responsible for the design and construction of the facility.

The southern part of Milan is strategically located, considering its close connections with nearby universities and research centres, as well as the presence of cultural spaces of international importance, business centres and areas undergoing regeneration, such as the former Porta Romana railway yard, which will host the Olympic Village for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Human + AI

Human + AI is an acceleration programme open to entrepreneurial teams and start-ups working on digital, sustainable and scalable solutions for urban environments.

The programme, which aims to select up to ten start-ups or project teams for the pre-selection phase and five for the full programme phase, is free of charge, equity-free, and is aimed at start-ups or growing initiatives, offering: specialised training on topics such as urban tech, sustainability, digital transition and public-private partnerships; mentorship with industry experts, urban innovators and corporate advisors; access to a network of stakeholders, including investors, companies and public administrations; personalised support to develop and validate your business model.

Human + AI is an important step for SmartCityLab Milano in supporting the smart city ecosystem in Italy and Europe, promoting innovative business ideas; promoting sustainable urban solutions in the fields of energy, mobility, housing, data and public services; creating strategic connections between start-ups, companies and institutions to foster synergies and shared projects.