It was 1985 when three young engineers, Renato Brunetti, Claudio Bianchi and Marcello Vispi, were taking their first steps into the world of information technology, at a time when no one really knew how life would change for all of us. Within a few years, as the opportunities of the Internet began to emerge, Brunetti and his team decided to take this path. In 1994, Unidata became one of the first Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Made in Italy.
Then, in 1999, amidst internet hopes and speculative bubbles, came an offer from Cable & Wireless and the decision to sell. It was a winning choice that allowed the three partners to repurchase the company in 2003 at a lower price and to have the capital to launch themselves into new adventures, ultimately becoming a major player in the telecommunications and digital services sector.
Fibre, data centres and a long-term vision
In 2002, Unidata began building its first data centre and its fibre optic network, laying the groundwork for the infrastructure that would ensure its independence and the quality of its services. Few companies at the time would have bet on such impressive infrastructures; still, Unidata continued to do so, and today it manages a fibre network of almost 7,500 km, as well as plans the cabling of central Italy and the laying of submarine cables between Liguria and Sicily.
From IoT to the core of things
In 2016, Unidata began to take an interest in Smart City and IOT. It joins the LoRa Alliance® and launches its LoRaWAN® network, capable of connecting thousands of sensors with very low power consumption. This resulted in services such as UniWAN, which manages smart cities and private networks, and UniOrchestra, a modular cloud platform for intelligent and scalable tools. It is a sort of network architect, capable of giving structure to customised solutions that can also be used by SMEs.
Meanwhile, smart meters take centre stage: capable of detecting water leaks and protecting a vital resource, they signal abnormal consumption in real-time. Then, the agreement with Enel X and the creation of smart homes. Complete with cameras, sensors, and light bulbs, they enable people to live better, safer, and more efficiently.
However, the core of this tale touches on the theme of inclusion. Unidata has armed Italian prisons with broadband, enabling workshops, cultural connections and theatrical activities within the walls. A choice that has shown how technology can serve to get people back on their feet again.
An eye on the environment and an eye on tomorrow
It is not just a matter of technology: Unidata also focuses on sustainability. It utilises renewable energy and strives to minimise the environmental impact of its infrastructure, demonstrating that innovation can coexist with respect for the environment.
While data centres run at the pace of renewables, a 50 million loan from banks and SACE gives fuel to IoT and infrastructure projects. With an industrial plan until 2027 that aims at revenues between 140 and 145 million, growing margins and over 57 million investments, the company is betting on data centres, IoT, smart cities and AI.
A story that speaks Italian but aims at the world
The story of Unidata is the story of a Made in Italy company that does not devise stunning solutions, but builds solid and sustainable paths. A mix of pragmatism and vision, industrial inspiration and social narrative. A path always led by the founders, with roots in the region, an emphasis on environmental sustainability, and a focus on inclusion and technological democracy. In a context where foreign giants dominate, Unidata has turned these 40 years into a calling card for Italy. An invitation to believe in talent, ingenuity and the all-Italian ability to innovate.
Today, the team comprises well over 220 people across Rome, Milan, and Bari, and the balance sheet speaks for itself: a turnover that has grown from € 15 million in 2019 to over € 100 million in 2023. The first quarter of 2025 confirms the solidity, with revenues of 25.5 million (+1%) and a growing EBITDA. A sustainable climb, which has transformed Unidata into one of the few self-reliant and innovation-oriented Made in Italy operators.
Learn about other Made in Italy outstanding companies in the world of science and technology.