Italy’s Tech Week Roundup: Beauty Tech, Startups, and Online Gaming
Italy’s Tech Week, spanning Torino and Rome, showcased a vibrant mix of innovation, entrepreneurship, and policy dialogue. The event underscored how beauty tech is maturing rapidly, how startups are accelerating research and development, and how regulated online gaming is becoming a strategic pillar of Italy’s digital economy. From L’Oréal’s bold Beauty Tech demonstrations to Codere Italia’s entry into the online arena, the week offered a clear snapshot of a nation leaning into tech-enabled growth.
Beauty Tech takes center stage at Italian Tech Week
In Torino, industry leaders framed Beauty Tech as more than a trend—it’s a multi-faceted field that blends services, diagnostics and devices. L’Oréal showcased a range of advancements designed to personalize beauty and accelerate product development. Highlights included an infrared-technology hair dryer that dries faster while reducing environmental impact, and diagnostic tools installed at point of sale to measure skin biomarkers and guide proactive care. A new device for precise micro-needling and a color-mixing tool that streamlines salon workflows further illustrated how Beauty Tech can elevate consumer experiences. Executives stressed that artificial intelligence and data-driven modeling are enabling the discovery of next-generation ingredients and more targeted formulations, signaling a 360-degree approach that integrates digital ecosystems with tangible devices to boost performance and consumer trust.
Beyond individual devices, the discussion highlighted Longevity as a forward-looking focus, with AI-powered platforms helping identify molecular targets and predict product outcomes. The overarching message: Beauty Tech is not just about looking good; it’s about measurable health-supportive benefits, sustainability, and smarter consumer guidance that transcends traditional product boundaries.
Startups as engines of cross-sector innovation
A recurring theme was the expanding role of startups in the beauty and wellness ecosystem. Industry leaders described more than 150 collaborations with startups spanning biotechnology, health, and robotics. These partnerships bring fresh capabilities—ranging from advanced diagnostics to new biosciences—to existing beauty platforms, enabling faster development cycles and new service models. The emphasis on open innovation and cross-sector synergies demonstrates how tech and life sciences are converging to shape the next generation of products and experiences. Observers noted that startups are essential partners in scaling research into market-ready solutions, with big corporations acting as accelerators and facilitators for entrepreneurial ventures.
Balooch and peers highlighted ongoing initiatives with international partners to explore longevity-focused applications, including integrating AI in laboratory pipelines to identify promising molecules for skin health and aging. In short, the beauty tech sector is expanding its horizons—from in-store diagnostics to AI-guided product discovery—thanks to collaborative ecosystems that unite established brands with nimble startups.
Codere Italia expands into the online gaming arena
Amid tech showcases, Codere Italia announced its strategic move into online gaming within Italy’s regulated market. The new online platform complements Codere’s strong retail footprint and is presented as part of a broader, compliant omnichannel strategy. The company signaled participation in the ADM licensing process for online gaming and stressed the importance of a transparent, responsible approach to growth. Executives described a vision of a secure digital ecosystem that partners with other operators and retail networks to deliver a seamless customer experience while upholding rigorous regulatory standards. The push into online gaming reflects a broader ambition: to extend trusted brand relationships into digital channels and to offer players a safe, well-governed online environment.
Company leaders emphasized long-term strategizing, collaboration with partners on payments and distribution, and a commitment to sustainable growth within Italy’s public gaming framework. The message was clear: Codere aims to be a reliable, regulated player in the online space, reinforcing its reputation for quality across channels.
Broader moments and context
Beyond product showcases, the week included policy and regional discussions that illustrate how technology firms operate within a broader Italian landscape. In Rome, a national conference highlighted development pathways for areas inside the country, signaling attention to digital ecologies and regional balance. While the Gaza crisis dominated some national debates, the discourse also reflected a desire to align innovation with responsible governance, sustainable urban development, and social well-being. Together, these conversations underscore that Italy’s tech ecosystem is not isolated from global events but is actively shaped by them, seeking prudent growth, inclusive opportunities, and robust collaboration with international partners.
What this means for Italy’s tech future
The overarching takeaway is that Italian industry is embracing integrated tech solutions that blend devices, data, AI and partnerships. Beauty tech is emerging as a cross-sector driver—from diagnostics and personalized care to eco-friendly devices—while startups continue to play a pivotal role as co-creators of new products and services. The online gaming expansion by Codere Italia demonstrates regulatory-ready innovation, aiming for a regulated, transparent market that benefits players and operators alike. Taken together, the week paints a pragmatic path for growth rooted in sustainability, accountability and collaboration, with technology at the center of Italy’s competitive future.
