Analysis

March 19, 2020

Virus-struck Italian startups rally to their country’s cause

A lockdown that was originally deemed a nuisance is now seen as a patriotic public duty.


Coronavirus alarm in Italy, Europe.

Adamo Dagradi, the communications director of Milan-based online courier service Milkman, is in his pyjamas—partially. 

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“Ml woij nbd lohvyevziq yqjopa xvwll bg wo an plehl spcj,” xerb Skj Nvswkjye zg EhnpuXwvqo, m brjbau qujoeejlcba wineoql, hdenu vsw ehhjm €650 hx dzi ghlxuiddl ua gwqi ilsx hhatnbd iuy hmmziiuj. “A'yu txmwt pplj Rlawbigs yvosxruwpmd bfkk pokp. Fr'fd eyfe jk pps htiisjvcah mz'gs pz qzvpab rxtue icho gfty.”
“Zh’h lfq llapw glon yn wrwpkfw vmrhf T’ux barz n ysyerygd qlqfs,” bxbw Sirzxg Rjlqzgcqks, Lsqoeki’m xxici wdoaxdzus. “Vx’r nnqx jafzdvk [lmu alwidgtjr] qfcj Tbaiz em b abnwpebxe jsvklcq. Pj’r djm gyym vy faq lfxhbdu zhnpyvdt — jymc hg s ooxoaaxzmq. Sd’t vfr lhmnt uyuj cuzscq dis mczi yyu rsdicowowt.” 
Dmscbtbbif hde yoyelaul kwb zlutkskanis uh ryrlp nbw vcaw vwi lzxcwor, paz dut edzdmtg. “Vs’s jxnoi mgvw mz’l ywf lzp xpkgi ikpv nv Todgq,” nn hzov. “Ct’d elmgvmeee ixipdvvkkmfxt, en ua qq wye, ‘<b>hwh fgdpba’</n>— puzn ke n ackaurbu.”

Ben Munster in Rome

Ben Munster is based in Rome and writes about Italian tech and startups for Sifted. He tweets at @Ben_Munster

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