Click above to download the full list of Design incubators and acceleration programs in Milano

Discover the renowned Design and Architecture universities and academies Milano hosts and their curricula

• AIPi  - Italian Interior Designers Association

AIPi was founded in Milan in 1969 as a reference point for professionals such as project managers and designers; it is the only association in this category that qualifies the Interior Designer Profession.

•  ADI – Associazione per il Disegno Industriale

Association for the Industrial Design, since 1956 it gathers designers, companies, researchers, journalists, experts, on design and on all the related topics: consumptions, recycle, training. It aims at promoting the best ecosystem for the design development, through cultural debates and relations with institutions and companies. 

• AII – Associazione Italiana di Illuminazione

The Italian Association of Lighting was founded in 1959 with the aim of giving scientific, cultural and technical information about the lighting sector. Its members are companies, architects, engineers, designers, utility companies, professors, working within this industry. 

• Assolombarda

It is the largest territorial association of the entire entrepreneurial system in the country; it aims at encouraging the development of the local industry, promoting cooperation among its members and giving support on occasional issues. Assolombarda is part of Confindustria (Italian Entrepreneurial Association). 

• CNA - Confederazione Nazionale dell’Artigianato e della Piccola e Media Impresa

The Italian Confederation of Craft Trades and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises, born in 1946, has over 621,000 members who employ over 1,2 million people. The CNA represents artisans, business owners, professionals and small and micro businesses in the tourism, services, manufacture, artisanal and industrial sectors, including Fashion and Made in Italy.

• Confartigianato Imprese Lombardia

Confartigianato Imprese Lombardia is the largest organization of SMEs and Crafts businesses in Lombardia. It promotes the value of artisanship; it supports and endorses the development of networks of companies and self-employment activities on the territory.  

• Unione Artigiani della Provincia di Milano

Since 1945, the Union of artisans in the Area of Milano offers assistance, services and consultancy to associated artisans, helping them with all the administrative requirements and promoting products and job employment. 

• Brera Design District

The Brera Design District project promotes the commercial and cultural development of Brera, the first Italian design district for number, quality and density of showrooms.

• Area Porta Romana

The aim of Area Porta Romana is to promote the design activities of the district, by organizing exhibitions, events and cultural discussion -not only during the Milano Design Week- giving visibility especially to young designers and small artisans.

• Porta Venezia in Design

Porta Venezia in Design is the network gathering design, art and Liberty architecture, as well as the food&wine itinerary within the district of Porta Venezia. 

• Lambrate Design District

From 2000, the district has seen a constant evolution: nowadays the area is the symbol of innovation, freshness and quality. During the 2019 edition of the Design Week there have been 100,000 visitors and 350 exhibitors in the 13,000 m2 area of Lambrate District.

• 5VIE

5VIE is the collaborative project aimed at enhancing and promoting this historical district of Milano: a crossroad of workshops, crafts, galleries, shops and showrooms with an extremely rich artistic heritage.

• Tortona Design Week

Tortona Design Week is the reference point for the design industry in Milano especially during the Fuorisalone, when it hosts over 200,000 visitors and more than 100 events. 

• Isola Design District

Isola Design District is a territorial marketing project aimed at giving visibility to emerging international designers and local artisans during the Milano Design Week. 

• 5 Giornate Dynamic District

Cinque Giornate Dynamic District is a new area in the city of Milan that uses design culture for urban regeneration through placemaking. It is runned by a group of professionals in the events and territorial marketing aiming at connecting inhabitants, tourists, shops, designers and artists, and offer exciting events.

• Milano Durini Design

It is a joint project aimed at enhancing the design and lifestyle excellence of this exclusive district, which boasts 18,000 m2 flagship stores, 20 prestigious associated brands and 120,000 visitors during the 2018 Milano Design Week.

• Zona Santambrogio

Since 2018 it promotes exhibitions and events -but also the cultural spots and the architectural attractions of the area- that take place in the District during the Milano Design Week, in order to enhance both the city and the local initiatives. 

• Ventura Projects

Ventura Projects are curated exhibition areas that present the latest developments at the forefront of contemporary design. During the Milano Fashion Week, Ventura Projects are located in the areas of Stazione Centrale (Ventura Centrale) and Loreto district (Ventura Future).

• Alpha District

Alpha District is a territorial marketing project, with the aim to give visibility to emerging international designers and companies. It is the former site of Alfa Romeo, along the road that connects the old FieraMilanoCity with the new one of Rho-Fiera Milan.

• Salone del Mobile 

During the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, which takes place every year in April, many exhibitors along with the thousands of products are being unveiled for the first time, which makes it an extremely valuable event as an international showcase for creativity and a forum for industry professionals, with more than 370,000 attendees per year from 188 different nations.

• Fuorisalone.it

Fuorisalone.it is the communication platform related to the event Salone del Mobile which takes place in Milano every year, reference point for all the brands that launch an event during the Milano Design Week.