This thesis investigates how Italian startups with a social and environmental mission approach the challenge of early-stage fundraising. Drawing on a structured analysis of 25 top performing impact startups from Social Innovation Monitor 2024 and 2025, the research examines the types of investors involved, the strategies employed across different funding rounds, and the role of public and private capital in fostering mission-driven entrepreneurship. The study builds on existing academic literature on impact investing and startup financing, with particular attention to the Italian context, where the ecosystem remains underdeveloped but shows strong potential. The research adopts a mixed-methods, exploratory approach, combining desk research with quantitative data analysis.