AGADE set out to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders in logistics, retail and manufacturing. The Milan start-up builds AGADEXO, active exoskeletons that support the shoulders or the lower back of workers, and says they reduce muscular stress "by up to 40%".
The European Innovation Council granted €1,820,106 towards a €2.60 million project during which the low-back model received its CE certification and the shoulder model reached beta. In May 2023 AGADE closed a €4 million round with the EIC Fund, Brembo and CDP Venture Capital among the investors. Italian company accounts compiled by reportaziende.it show revenue of €131,600 in 2025, up from €44,600 in 2023, and a net loss of €584,600.
Company file
- Legal entity
- AGADE srl, VAT IT11236320963, Milan, Italy
- Products
- AGADEXO Low-back (CE marked), AGADEXO Shoulder
- Certifications
- CE for Low-back; EAWS ergonomic certification for Shoulder
- Investors
- CYSERO EuVECA fund (lead), Brembo, CDP Venture Capital, EIC Fund, 360 Capital, Generaimprese
- Partner
- Panni Lazzarini Assemblaggi Industriali
- EIC project
- AGADE, 1 Sep 2022 to 31 Mar 2025, closed
- EIC funding
- Blended finance
Where AGADE Stands Today
AGADE sells AGADEXO to companies in industry and logistics. The accounts show revenue growing each year, €44,600 in 2023, €73,300 in 2024 and €131,600 in 2025, and losses narrowing from €1.4 million in 2024 to €584,600 in 2025. The company's news page has not been updated since 2024 and names no customers.
The Technology: Motors Where Muscles Strain
AGADE's devices are active, which the project title calls an "anti-gravity active device". According to the CORDIS report, AGADEXO Shoulder reduces muscular stress "by up to 40% at shoulder level", and AGADEXO Low-back reduces lumbar stress "by up to 40% during material handling tasks". The low-back model also has an IoT feature for collecting usage data.
"Initiated a structured product market fit testing program with selected pilot clients across various industrial sectors."
AGADE results, CORDISWhat the EIC Project Promised, and What CORDIS Shows
The project promised "an anti-gravity active device for exoskeletons to reduce the impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders". CORDIS reports the low-back model "fully designed, realized, and tested as a pre-industrialized version" and CE certified, the shoulder model in beta with field and laboratory tests, and a pilot programme with clients. It reports no sales.
- A certified productDeliveredLow-back CE marked.
- A second productPartialShoulder in beta.
- Follow-on capitalDelivered€4M in 2023.
- Sales at scaleNot shown€131.6K revenue in 2025.
What Has Happened Since the Award
The Money
The May 2023 round of €4 million was led by the CYSERO EuVECA fund, backed by AVM Gestioni and the Kilometro Rosso science park, with Brembo, CDP Venture Capital, the EIC Fund, 360 Capital and Generaimprese. The EIC Fund's share was not disclosed. The company lost about €3.2 million over 2023 to 2025.
What cannot be checked
Who AGADE's customers are, how many exoskeletons it has sold, whether the shoulder model is on sale and how much the EIC Fund invested are not public.
Why Europe Should Care
Exoskeletons are one response to strain injuries at work. AGADE has an Italian industrial group, Brembo, among its backers and a certified product. But three years after its round, revenue is still in the low six figures.
What the project promised
Active exoskeletons to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders in logistics, retail and manufacturing.
What the record shows
A CE-marked low-back model, a shoulder model in beta, €4M raised and €131.6K revenue in 2025.
The Verdict
A real product, a small business
The EIC project took AGADE's exoskeleton to certification, and investors including the EIC Fund followed. Sales are rising but remain small against the losses, so whether AGADE becomes a sustainable business is still open.
AGADE has not been asked for comment for this article. It is based entirely on company statements, EU project data and Italian company accounts, linked throughout.
