Celebrating Taranto's
rebirth from
industrial decline to
innovation hubCelebrating Taranto's rebirth
from industrial decline to innovation hub
Founded by the Spartans on the Ionian Sea in 706 BC, Taranto was one of the most powerful cities of Magna Graecia and its only overseas colony.
In the 1960s, the city inaugurated what would become Europe's largest steelworks, which brought employment but also left the city with deep environmental and social scars. With almost no opportunities beyond steel, young people grew up knowing the only real option was to leave.
Taranto today
Over the past 10 years, the city has undergone a process of rebirth, pivoting from steel to innovation.
Today, Taranto is a place where strategic vision, talent, and public funding are converging to build the next innovation hub in Southern Europe.
supporting local innovation
active public funding
GDP generated in Taranto
From steel to tech
For decades, Taranto was a place people went away from.
This July, 200+ tech founders, investors, and decision-makers from all over Europe are arriving in Taranto for Puglia Orizzonti 2026.
One week of showcases, roundtables, and networking events to demonstrate what Taranto has to offer.
One week to show that a reverse brain drain is underway.
One week to prove that betting on innovation pays off.
Week events
Puglia Orizzonti -
Cohesion Net Project
7 July 2026, Taranto
Puglia Orizzonti -
European Startup Conference
9 - 10 July 2026, Taranto
Puglia Orizzonti -
European Startup Week 2026
6 - 12 July 2026, Taranto
Some of the speakers on 9-10 July
Head of Economic Development, Regione Puglia (Keynote Speaker)
Founder, La Tech Made in Italy & IT'S TECH®
Chairwoman, Deep Ocean Capital
Co-Founder, Fitlab; Co-Owner, Cesena Football Club
Co-Founder & CTO, Tractable (Unicorn)
Co-Founder & CEO, Flo Health (Unicorn)
Head of Innovation & Funding, Bpifrance
Executive Director, Angels4Women
Founder, Product Network Europe & Startup Network Europe
Regional Minister for Economic Development Regione Puglia
Professor, Università degli Studi di Bari
Managing Director, CC & Soci
General Partner, Pack Ventures
Co-Founder, PPRO (Unicorn)
Principal, Squadra Ventures
Managing General Partner, Bay Partners
Visiting Professor, Luiss Guido Carli University; Formerly Co-Founder & Global Editor of Reuters Breakingviews
Founder, HyperloopIT
Managing Partner, Newion Partners
CEO, WayfinderBio
Angel Investor
Founder/CEO at Verb
Presenter, Puglia Techs
Head of Innovation Promotion, Puglia Sviluppo
CEO, Eulogic
Director Westerwelle Foundation Tunisia
President Camera di Commercio, Industria, Artigianato e Agricoltura Brindisi - Taranto
Mayor of Taranto
Partner Vitale&Co.
Director of the Jonico Department, University of Bari
Deputy Mayor — Strategy, Innovation & International Relations
Head of Communications & Inward Investment, Puglia Sviluppo S.p.A.
Hosts & partners
An event by:
Under the patronage of:
Supported by:
Technical partners:
Experience partners:
Financial Media Partner:
Media partners:
