How Sicily is reinventing itself through entrepreneurship: 10 Sicilian startups to watch in 2026

Sicily is emerging as a rising hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, moving beyond its traditional image to become a key player in Italy's tech landscape. While not yet matching the scale of established centers like Rome or Milan, the island is steadily gaining visibility, particularly in the south of Italy. The growth is fueled by a combination of corporate ventures, university support, and institutional backing, creating fertile ground for new ideas. At the heart of this development is Catania, often called the "Milan of the South," which hosts one of STMicroelectronics’ major semiconductor plants. This, combined with a steady influx of skilled engineers from local universities, has made Catania a driver of tech and creative industries. This environment is fostering the creation of promising startups. Hidronix, a DeepTech startup founded in Catania in 2020, uses AI, robotics, and extended reality to create smarter, interactive environments. Baze, based in Aci Castello, is another notable startup that simplifies the process of hiring domestic workers. Baze uses a platform with matching algorithms to connect families with pre-verified domestic staff, founded in 2023, the startup secured €100k in funding. The company aims to bring legality, transparency, and efficiency to the hiring process, and has the potential to become a key player in the domestic worker market. The rise of Sicilian startups demonstrates the region's commitment to technological advancement and is a testament to the growth of entrepreneurship. With government and private support, the island has the potential to become a major contributor to the European digital economy.