At 29, Nicolas Verderosa has built a platform that turns abandoned village homes into revenue streams, and it now ranks among Southern Europe’s fastest-growing startups.
The idea emerged from a simple observation: Italy’s inland towns are emptying out, yet their empty houses hold untapped tourism potential. Verderosa, who grew up in Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi, returned from years abroad with both business credentials and determination. As a result, he launched Ruralis in 2022 with zero outside investment.
Ruralis handles short-term rental management for property owners in small municipalities. The service covers distribution, pricing, communication, and bureaucratic paperwork. “We help owners maximize their earnings while simplifying every step,” Verderosa explains. The company operates offices in Sant’Angelo dei Lombardi and Florida, targeting the American market through VRBO and Expedia alongside Airbnb.
The numbers back up his confidence. Ruralis currently sits at number 43 on the Sifted 100 Southern Europe ranking for high-growth startups. It also holds the top spot in Italy on Trustpilot for real estate customer satisfaction. Since early 2026, the company has onboarded roughly 200 active American clients and recorded six million stays sold.
The founding team spans southern Italy. Lucio Nitti, 33, serves as COO from Sturno. Martina Ramirez, 27, manages HR and programs from San Mango sul Calore. Carmine Santoro, 38, handles administration and accounting from Melito Irpino. Giovanni Sutera, 40, leads sales from Lascari in Sicily. Fabrizio D’Urso, 35, develops the platform from Naples.
Verderosa remains blunt about local resistance. “The administrations in this area have not responded well,” he says. During Covid, he and other young professionals offered their skills to help municipalities win European funding calls. The funds arrived. “We didn’t even get a thank you,” he recalls. That indifference, he argues, pushes talent away.
Meanwhile, the platform keeps expanding. Verderosa sees Ruralis as a tool for reversing depopulation by proving that inland properties can generate sustainable income. His next moves include strengthening the technology and deepening US market penetration. The goal: make small towns visible, viable, and worth returning to.
