In a context of rapid changes in consumer preferences, technologies, and macroeconomic trends, innovation remains a fundamental pillar for the competitiveness of SMEs. However, innovating through traditional models can be a long, costly, and risky process, often requiring significant investment in research and development.

The real question is: how can a company evolve quickly without dispersing resources?

An answer comes from Sammontana, which accelerated its growth by acquiring a company with advanced expertise, rather than developing everything internally.

Sammontana and La Rocca: growing expertise, not just market share

In March 2025, Sammontana, a historic family-owned Italian company known for its ice cream, acquired La Rocca Creative Cakes, a Canadian company specialized in premium cakes. This move allowed Sammontana to:

• Expand its international presence by entering the North American market through an established brand.
• Diversify its product range by adding high-end patisserie to its traditional gelato offering.
• Quickly integrate new skills and technologies.
• Maintain its artisanal and family identity by partnering with a company that shared the same values.
• Strengthen its human capital by acquiring already specialized professionals.

Through this acquisition, Sammontana pursued a clear strategy: grow rapidly and effectively, without losing its identity.

Open innovation: evolving by looking outward

Open innovation challenges the idea that innovation must happen solely within a company. It promotes strategic collaboration with startups, universities, suppliers, and even competitors, allowing businesses to:

• Access external ideas, technologies, and expertise.
• Reduce the time, costs, and risks associated with internal innovation.
• Enter new markets more quickly.

For Italian SMEs, open innovation offers a concrete opportunity to accelerate growth without needing prohibitive investments in research and development.

Acquisitions as a lever for open innovation

Among the most effective tools of open innovation, acquisitions (M&A) provide tangible advantages:

• Rapid integration of new skills and technologies.
• Expansion of the product offering without having to build everything from scratch.
• Inclusion of already trained and specialized resources into the organization.
• Evolution while remaining true to one’s identity.

Sammontana’s acquisition of La Rocca Creative Cakes demonstrates how a well-planned M&A operation can accelerate access to new opportunities while maintaining strategic coherence.

SMEs can innovate through acquisitions too

Contrary to common belief, acquisitions are not reserved for large corporations. SMEs can also undertake targeted and scalable strategies:

• Acquiring small foreign businesses to enter new markets.
• Integrating small digital companies to speed up technological transformation.
• Taking over companies with complementary products to expand their offerings.

The goal must be clear: grow in expertise, markets, and qualified human capital, by choosing the right strategic partners.

What Sammontana’s case teaches Italian SMEs

1. Rapid innovation is possible: building everything internally is not always necessary.
2. Acquisitions are within reach for SMEs: there are smaller-scale opportunities, even abroad.
3. The market rewards those who evolve: standing still increases the risk of becoming irrelevant.

Conclusion: growing together, faster

The Sammontana case shows that you don’t have to be a giant to think big. What’s needed is a clear vision, the ability to collaborate, and a willingness to evolve.

For Italian SMEs, the message is simple: innovation doesn’t belong to those with more internal resources, but to those who know how to seek opportunities outside. Growing fast and sustainably is possible, especially when the right partner is chosen.

Sometimes, change is not something you tackle alone: it is built together.