Startup Rankings
Top Defence Startups in Italy 2026
Last updated · 5 companies · compiled from public data sources
Italy hosts 5 of the defence startups tracked in the fieldfaster dataset, with teams in Rome, Como, Milan and beyond. Focus areas include secure comms, space, advanced manufacturing.
Every entry is a short factual profile compiled from public sources: what the company builds, where it is based and when it was founded. The ranking favours established teams, ordering companies by team size band first and company age second. No funding figures are used.
- 1.
D-Orbit
Como · founded 2011
D-Orbit provides in-space transportation with its ION orbital transfer vehicle and services across the space logistics value chain.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 2.
Exein
Rome · founded 2018
Rome-based company embedding AI-powered runtime security into device firmware, protecting IoT and embedded systems across sectors including defence, aerospace and energy. Raised 170 million euros across two rounds in 2025.
cyberRead moreSources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 3.
WSense
Rome · founded 2012
Sapienza University of Rome spin-off with patented Internet of Underwater Things technology for wireless subsea communication and monitoring, relevant to critical seabed infrastructure protection. Raised around 10 million euros in 2025 to scale.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 4.
AIKO
Turin · founded 2017
AIKO develops AI software for autonomous satellite operations, from onboard data processing to fleet automation.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 5.
Ephos
Milan · founded 2022
Milan startup manufacturing glass-based photonic chips for quantum and classical computing and communications. Backed by NATO's DIANA accelerator and the EIC, and secured 41.5 million euros under the EU Chips Act for a new fab.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
Have we missed your startup?
Companies are ranked by team size band and company age, using short factual profiles compiled from public sources. No funding figures are used. If your European defence startup belongs on this list, tell us and we'll review it for the next update.