From Southern Italy to the World: the Blockchain that protects ideas - IZZ2IZZ and the Innovation that speaks Pugliese
There is a place, in the heart of Southern Italy, where blockchain is not just a conference buzzword or the latest tech hype, but something tangible, real, designed to serve people – and yes, it even speaks the local dialect.
That place is Puglia, a region of Italy that in recent years has witnessed the birth of a project destined to make waves across Italy and Europe’s tech scene: IZZ2IZZ, an innovative startup blending blockchain, digital marketing, and a healthy dose of regional pride. But more importantly, a company founded and led predominantly by women – a rarity in a sector still largely perceived as male-dominated.
At the helm is Luigia Gabriele, an entrepreneur, lecturer and – in her own words – someone who “loves challenges”. Her company is not only bringing blockchain technology down to earth but doing so with an unmistakable Italian, indeed Pugliese, identity.
IÈUMÌ: When the Blockchain says “It’s mine”
It’s hard to forget the name of IZZ2IZZ’s flagship platform: IÈUMÌ. Anyone with family or friends from Puglia will instantly recognise the expression: it simply means “it’s mine”. But beyond the dialect lies a profound message of identity, ownership, and protection.
“The name was born almost as a reaction”, Luigia Gabriele tells SiGMA News during the Expo in Bologna, We Make Future. “At the start of our journey, we were told we would never be able to protect our ideas and our documents. So, we decided to make a statement: it’s ours – it’s Ièumì – and now it’s certified on the blockchain”.
Behind the playful name lies advanced technology. IÈUMÌ is a super dApp, multichain platform, compatible with over 20 different blockchains, designed to certify, authenticate and trace any digital asset, be it a document, a creative work, or even a physical product that has been digitised.
With a simplified, user-friendly interface – “just drag and drop your file, the platform does the rest” – IÈUMÌ is breaking down the barriers that have long kept blockchain confined to tech experts.
From Gaming to Made in Italy: Blockchain that safeguards value
While IZZ2IZZ’s innovation speaks to a broad audience, certain industries seem particularly poised to benefit. Two stand out: the agri-food sector, the beating heart of Italian excellence, and the fashion industry, where traceability is becoming a competitive necessity. Unsurprisingly, by 2030, the European Union will require the adoption of digital product passports, based on blockchain, for these sectors.
But the applications don’t end there. Even the iGaming industry, which is becoming increasingly digital, competitive, and vulnerable to issues like plagiarism, counterfeiting, and intellectual property theft, is watching blockchain-based certification with keen interest.
In the online gaming world – where NFTs, metaverse platforms, and tokenised assets are now intertwined with business models – protecting digital ownership is critical. Whether certifying the originality of content, tracking marketplace assets, or guaranteeing the authenticity of an NFT, platforms like IÈUMÌ offer real-world solutions that are already operational, without the technical complexity that often discourages operators or users.
“The Web3 world is fascinating but still inaccessible to most”, explains Gabriele. “We brought the potential of blockchain into the Web2 space, where companies and ordinary users operate today. Because true innovation should include people, not exclude them”.
Southern Italy, Women, and Technology: a cultural revolution
Beyond the technology lies a powerful social message. IZZ2IZZ is among the few tech companies in Italy – and even fewer in the South – to be led by a majority-female team. In an industry where women remain underrepresented, Luigia Gabriele’s mission is clear: “We must set an example, break the cultural barriers that tell young women that these careers are not for them”.
The impact is tangible. Young female entrepreneurs, students, and professionals look to IZZ2IZZ as proof that a different path is not only possible but already happening, bridging the gap between education and enterprise, between aspiration and achievement.
Cultivating technological culture in the South
Innovation alone isn’t enough – education is essential. That is the thinking behind Blockchain Garden, the largest blockchain educational event in Southern Italy, conceived by IZZ2IZZ. A free, open-access event that blends inspiration, practical development, and hands-on learning.
More than a conference, Blockchain Garden is an ecosystem where businesses, universities, students, and developers come together through hackathons, workshops, and talks from international speakers. Because the digital future of Southern Italy – and the entire country – starts with shared knowledge.
Beyond technology: a new Era of trust
Looking to the future, Gabriele has a clear vision: blockchain won’t simply change markets; it will reshape how we live. “We’re shifting trust away from third-party intermediaries and placing it in the technology itself,” she explains. “That opens extraordinary opportunities: from energy communities that trade surplus power, to smart cities, to optimising public services and school infrastructures”.
For the worlds of iGaming, blockchain, and tech innovation in general, IZZ2IZZ proves that meaningful contributions can come from Southern Italy – combining technical excellence with a proud regional identity.
In an industry often dominated by global giants, a group of professionals – with their roots firmly in Puglia and their vision set on the world – is showing that to innovate is not merely to chase the future, but to shape it, with courage, competence, and yes, a touch of dialect pride.
After all, when something is truly yours, there’s no mistaking it: “Ièumì” – It’s mine.
This article was first published in Italian on 11 July 2025.
