How We Helped an Italian Startup Connect 15,000+ Local Businesses with On-Demand B2B Services

We partnered with an innovative Italian startup to build a localised B2B marketplace mobile app that revolutionised how small and medium businesses find and engage service providers. The platform now connects over 15,000 businesses across Italy, facilitates 200,000+ monthly service requests, and has reduced average procurement time from days to hours while supporting the unique needs of Italy's regional business ecosystem.

15,000+

businesses connected

75%

procurement time reduction

10-week

MVP launch

Client Introduction

Our client is an Italian startup focused on digitizing B2B service procurement for local businesses. Founded by entrepreneurs who experienced firsthand the challenges of finding reliable business services in Italy's fragmented market, they recognized that small businesses spent excessive time searching for everything from accounting to maintenance services. Operating in a market where personal relationships and local reputation are paramount, they needed a technology solution that could scale while preserving the trust-based nature of Italian business culture.

Industry: B2B Marketplace / Business Services
Region: Italy (Multi-regional operations)
Company Stage: Seed-stage startup
Primary Users: Small business owners, service providers, procurement managers, freelance professionals

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What We Did

We developed a comprehensive B2B marketplace platform with native mobile apps that brings Italy's business service ecosystem into the digital age. The solution features a React Native mobile app where businesses can instantly search for verified service providers based on location, category, and ratings. We built a powerful admin panel using Next.js that allows providers to manage profiles, showcase portfolios, and handle incoming requests efficiently. The platform includes real-time chat functionality enabling instant communication between businesses in Italian, English, and regional dialects. We implemented a standardised request system where businesses post needs and receive multiple quotes within hours, complete with transparent pricing and terms.

How We Did It

Our development journey began with extensive field research across five Italian cities, understanding how businesses currently find and engage services. We mapped regional differences in business practices, from Milan's corporate culture to Southern Italy's relationship-based approach. The mobile-first strategy prioritized React Native to ensure smooth performance on the diverse Android devices popular among Italian small businesses. We built the backend on Supabase to handle real-time updates for service requests and instant notifications. Throughout development, we worked with 50 pilot businesses to refine workflows, ensuring the platform felt natural to Italian business owners accustomed to traditional methods.

Tech Stack & Integrations

Overcoming Challenges

Building trust in a relationship-driven market: Verified business badges and provider video introductions.
Supporting Italy’s complex invoicing requirements: Compliant electronic invoicing (fatturazione elettronica) integration.
Handling regional language variations: Location-aware content that adapts to regional business terminology.
Competing with established offline networks: Free trials and case studies demonstrating 75% time savings.

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Result & Impact

The platform transformed B2B service procurement across Italy within the first year. Businesses that previously spent days finding providers now connect within hours. Service providers report 3x increase in qualified leads compared to traditional advertising. The standardized process has reduced payment delays by 60%, improving cash flow for Italy's small businesses.

Qualitative Wins

Featured in Il Sole 24 Ore as innovation leader
Expanded from 3 to 15 Italian regions in 6 months
Achieved 4.6/5 app store rating with 5,000+ reviews
Partnered with Italian Chamber of Commerce
Enabled 500+ businesses to survive COVID through digital transformation

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the platform verify service providers?

‍We require business registration verification (Partita IVA), check Chamber of Commerce records, and validate professional certifications. Providers must maintain 4+ star ratings and complete transactions successfully to retain verified status.

What makes this different from global B2B platforms?

‍The platform is built specifically for Italian business culture - supporting local invoicing requirements, regional languages, and relationship-building features like video introductions. Every aspect reflects how Italian businesses actually operate.

How does the app handle different regional business practices?

‍The platform adapts to regional norms - formal communication styles in Milan, relationship-focused approaches in Southern regions. Service categories and terminology adjust based on location, ensuring relevance across Italy's diverse business landscape.

Ready to Transform Your Business?

Whether you're building a marketplace platform or digitizing traditional industries, we have the expertise to create solutions that respect local culture while delivering global-quality technology.

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