When we talk about Italy here in the United States, the first images that usually come to mind are food, wine, fashion, and design. But today’s Italy is much more than that. It’s technology, research, and the ambition to compete on the global stage. That’s exactly what was showcased in Nashville, at 3686, the South’s leading conference on startups and innovation.
For the first time, three Italian startups took the stage in front of more than 300 international investors. And instead of pasta or design, they brought bold ideas about the future of mobility. This success is the result of teamwork and vision. Allegra Baistrocchi, Italy’s Consul in Detroit (whose jurisdiction also covers Tennessee), strongly pushed for Italy’s presence at the event, showing how Italian talent can shine far beyond tradition.
Carlo La Rotonda, Director of RetImpresa (an initiative of Confindustria, the country’s main private business federation representing hundreds of thousands of companies), led the selection process through the competition The Perfect Pitch – Rock Your Startup. Supporting them was Davide Ippolito, founder of the media group ilNewyorkese, a disruptive voice for the Italian community in the U.S., who amplified the story and its impact.
The three startups on stage highlighted Italy’s cutting-edge side: 2hire (Filippo Agostino) turns any vehicle into a connected device, enabling new services in digital mobility; Alba Robot (Daniel Chiaravalli) combines robotics and AI to create autonomous solutions for moving people and goods; Volvero (Marco Filippi) offers a peer-to-peer car-sharing model that makes mobility more inclusive and sustainable.
“Confindustria has represented Italy’s manufacturing and service companies for over a century. With initiatives like The Perfect Pitch, we’re proving that we don’t just support startups on paper—we bring them to international arenas where real growth happens,” said Carlo La Rotonda.
Consul Allegra Baistrocchi added: “Being the first foreign country invited to such a major innovation event, in a state that saw a 40% increase in imports from Italy in just one year, is tangible proof of what Italy can deliver. The future of mobility is about moving people, goods, energy, and data—and Italy is ready to lead this sustainable transformation.”
To make the story even more powerful, the entire mission was captured in a documentary: “Italian Mindset.” Produced with the Italy America Reputation Lab and ilNewyorkese, the film will air on U.S. television in spring 2026. Its goal is to break stereotypes and show America—and Italian Americans—an Italy that’s not only about heritage and style, but also about innovation, creativity, and global competitiveness.
Because pride in our roots doesn’t just mean looking back. It also means celebrating how Italy is reinventing itself and making its mark on the world in bold new ways.
