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Vento Launches €75 Million Fund to Back Italian Startup Founders Globally
Table of Contents
- Vento Launches €75 Million Fund to Back Italian Startup Founders Globally
- Italian Tech Week and the vision Behind Vento
- Investment Strategy and Goals
- Addressing the Gaps in the Italian Tech Ecosystem
- Growth in Italian Venture Capital
- Conclusion
- Vento’s €75 Million Gamble: Can This fund Reignite Italy’s Tech Fire?
- VentoS €75M Gamble: Can This Fund Spark italy’s Tech Revolution?
Vento, a prominent italian private early-stage venture capital firm, is making waves with the launch of its second fund, capped at €75 million. This notable investment is strategically aimed at bolstering Italian startup founders, both within Italy and on the global stage. The initiative seeks to emulate the successful blueprint of Paris-based Kima ventures, which prioritized investing in founders from a specific country regardless of their location, with the goal of fostering a “repatriation of entrepreneurial spirit.” This new fund underscores a growing confidence in the potential of Italian innovation and its ability to compete internationally.
The sector-agnostic fund has its roots in the organizers of Italian Tech week, the annual technology event held in Turin. Italian tech Week has become a pivotal event in the European tech scene, having previously hosted influential figures such as Sam Altman, reid Hoffman, and Elon Musk. This connection provides Vento with a unique vantage point and access to a wide network of talent and opportunities.
Italian Tech Week and the vision Behind Vento
Italian Tech Week was originally conceived by John Elkann, chairman of Vento. Elkann also holds the prestigious positions of chairman at Stellantis (the parent company of Fiat) and Exor, the holding company of the Agnelli family, which controls Fiat and other significant assets. Elkann’s extensive network, spanning both Europe and Silicon Valley, is a considerable asset to Italian Tech Week, facilitating connections and attracting global attention to the Italian tech ecosystem.
Vento’s Investment Committee is comprised of notable tech industry veterans, including diego Piacentini, Mike Volpi (formerly of Index Ventures), and Jean de La Rochebrochard. Rochebrochard’s recent move to Kima Ventures, the very firm Vento aspires to emulate, followed his controversial departure from Newwave, a French venture outfit, last year. This blend of experience and strategic alignment positions Vento for informed investment decisions and effective guidance for its portfolio companies.
Investment Strategy and Goals
To date, Vento has already invested in 100 startups, including Bee, JetHR, and qomodo. The new Fund II is ambitious, planning to make 375 investments over the next five years, according to the company. This aggressive investment strategy signals Vento’s commitment to rapidly expanding its portfolio and supporting a diverse range of Italian startups.
Diyala D’Aveni, CEO of Vento, articulated the rationale behind the fund, stating:
Italy is quite behind compared to other European countries, but we think the trajectory is the same as the others.So that’s why we’re doing this. Italian tech Week is a way for us to bring people from outside of Italy, on the one side, to push astounding investors to meet Italian founders and see the potential of the Italian ecosystem, and inspire the talent in Italy to build their own companies. we think the fact that there are not many success stories in Italy is kind of preventing the ecosystem to grow.
Diyala D’Aveni, CEO of Vento
D’Aveni further elaborated on the critical need for success stories to catalyze growth within the Italian tech landscape:
There’s no lack of capital. it’s a lack of companies, but we just need some success stories, and then the whole flywheel will kick off, and we will see what we saw in France.
Diyala D’Aveni,CEO of Vento
Italian Tech Week plays a pivotal role in Vento’s investment strategy,enabling the firm to evaluate over 3,500 startups that apply to participate in the event. Vento maintains a selective 2.5% conversion rate, offering a standardized €150,000 ticket size and the potential for follow-on investments. This rigorous selection process ensures that Vento invests in the most promising and innovative startups.
Addressing the Gaps in the Italian Tech Ecosystem
John Elkann addressed the challenges faced by previous Italian tech founders and how Vento aims to overcome them:
When we launched Vento’s first fund in 2022, we recognized that Italy’s technological and entrepreneurial potential was significantly underserved.
John Elkann, Chairman of Vento
He further explained Vento’s complete approach:
Italian founders have always demonstrated exceptional… entrepreneurial spirit, but the ecosystem was not there. Vento was created to address this gap by providing not just capital, but a comprehensive platform that combines direct investment, venture building, and network development through italian Tech Week.
John Elkann, Chairman of Vento
While Italian company law is often perceived as less favorable to startup founders compared to the UK or the US, Elkann remains optimistic about the future and the potential for regulatory improvements:
Our primary commitment is to identify exceptional Italian founders and support them in their global entrepreneurial journey. Italy is making significant strides to become increasingly competitive in the international technology landscape, and we are confident that soon these regulatory differences between countries will become less and less relevant.
John Elkann, Chairman of Vento
Growth in Italian Venture Capital
The Italian tech scene is showing promising signs of growth and increased investment. According to Dealroom data, venture capital investment in Italian startups totaled $5.72 billion across the last five years (2020 to 2024), a substantial increase from the $1.7 billion invested in the previous five years. This surge in investment reflects a growing confidence in the potential of Italian startups and the attractiveness of the Italian market.
D’Aveni highlighted Vento’s international outreach efforts, emphasizing the importance of a global network:
We already have a network of founders outside of Italy who are sending us deals, and also micro-communities of Italians in New york, London, Berlin and Paris, among others.
Diyala D’Aveni, CEO of Vento
Conclusion
Vento’s new €75 million fund represents a significant leap forward in fostering Italian entrepreneurship on a global scale. By leveraging the platform of Italian Tech Week and the expertise of its investment committee, Vento aims to identify and support exceptional Italian founders, contributing to the growth and success of the Italian tech ecosystem. With increasing venture capital investment and a growing network of international connections, the future looks bright for Italian startups, poised to make a significant impact on the global stage.
Vento’s €75 Million Gamble: Can This fund Reignite Italy’s Tech Fire?
is Italy on the cusp of a tech revolution, or is Vento’s ambitious €75 million fund merely a drop in the ocean?
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. Emilia Rossi, a leading expert in European venture capital and the Italian tech ecosystem, welcome to World Today News. Vento’s new fund aims to drastically change the landscape of Italian startups. What makes this initiative unique, and what are the core challenges it seeks to overcome?
Dr. rossi (DR): Thank you for having me. Vento’s €75 million fund is indeed unique in its focus on supporting Italian founders globally, mirroring the successful model of Kima Ventures. This transcends simply providing capital; it’s about fostering a global network,building a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem centered around Italian talent. The core challenge is addressing the underinvestment in Italian startups and the perceived lack of success stories that hinder further growth.This isn’t about a lack of capital in the broader sense; it’s about nurturing the right companies to achieve ample exits and become potent role models.
SE: The article highlights the role of Italian Tech Week in Vento’s strategy. How crucial is this annual event to the fund’s success, and what are its key benefits for both Vento and participating startups?
DR: Italian Tech week is absolutely integral to vento’s strategy.It acts as a powerful talent pipeline and deal-sourcing mechanism.The event brings together a global community of investors, mentors, and entrepreneurs. for Vento, it provides an unparalleled opportunity to scrutinize a large number of potential investments, applying a rigorous selection process to identify exceptional founders with high-growth potential. For startups, it provides exposure to potential investors, invaluable networking connections, and mentorship opportunities that can significantly accelerate their growth trajectory.
SE: Vento’s investment committee boasts industry veterans like Diego Piacentini and Mike Volpi. How does this experience contribute to their investment decisions and the overall guidance provided to portfolio companies?
DR: The experience of Vento’s investment committee is invaluable. These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge from their experience at leading global venture capital firms. Their insights extend beyond financial analysis to encompass strategic guidance on market positioning, scaling operations, effective team building, and navigating crucial exit strategies. This holistic support is a key differentiator, transforming Vento into more than just a capital provider but also a strategic partner for its portfolio companies.
SE: The article mentions challenges inherent in the Italian company law habitat for startups. How significant is this obstacle, and what strategies can Vento employ to mitigate the risks associated with it?
DR: Italian company law presents certain complexities for startups compared to more established ecosystems such as the UK or US. This primarily affects areas such as legal compliance, regulatory hurdles, and fundraising processes.Vento’s response to these obstacles is twofold: first, their expertise facilitates the navigation of these complexities for their portfolio companies; second, by showcasing successes, thay advocate for improvements to the legislative landscape. They believe that their success will create positive pressure for change. By achieving significant results,they aim to demonstrate the potential of the
VentoS €75M Gamble: Can This Fund Spark italy’s Tech Revolution?
Is Italy poised to become a major tech player, or is Vento’s enterprising investment merely a drop in the vast european tech sea?
Senior Editor (SE): Dr.Emilia Rossi, a leading expert in European venture capital and the Italian tech ecosystem, welcome to World Today News. vento’s new fund aims to dramatically reshape the landscape of Italian startups.What makes this initiative unique, and what core challenges does it aim to overcome?
Dr. Rossi (DR): Thank you for having me. Vento’s €75 million fund is indeed unique in its laser focus on empowering Italian founders globally, replicating the successful model of Kima Ventures. This goes beyond simply providing capital; its about cultivating a thriving global network, building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem centered around Italian ingenuity and talent. The core challenge lies in addressing the past underinvestment in Italian startups and the perceived lack of notable success stories that hinder further growth. This isn’t a lack of capital in the broad sense; it’s about strategically nurturing the right companies to achieve considerable exits and become powerful role models, inspiring future generations of Italian entrepreneurs.
Italian Tech Week: A Crucial Catalyst
SE: The article highlights the integral role of italian Tech Week in Vento’s strategy. How crucial is this annual event to the fund’s success, and what are its key benefits for both Vento and participating startups?
DR: Italian Tech Week is unequivocally crucial to Vento’s success. It serves as a high-impact talent pipeline and a robust deal-sourcing engine. The event convenes a global community of investors, mentors, and entrepreneurs, creating a vibrant hub for innovation. For Vento, it provides an unparalleled prospect to meticulously evaluate a large pool of potential investments, employing a rigorous selection process to identify truly exceptional founders with high-growth trajectories. For startups, it offers unrivaled exposure to potential investors, invaluable networking opportunities, and mentorship from seasoned experts, which can exponentially accelerate their growth journeys. The event itself is a key component of their overall strategy.
The Expertise of vento’s Investment Committee
SE: Vento’s investment committee boasts industry veterans like Diego Piacentini and mike Volpi. How does this extensive experience contribute to their investment decisions and the overall guidance they provide to portfolio companies?
DR: The experience within Vento’s investment committee is a significant asset. These individuals bring a wealth of practical, on-the-ground knowledge garnered from their tenure at leading global venture capital firms. Their insights go far beyond financial modeling – they offer strategic guidance on various aspects of startup development, including market positioning, scaling operations effectively, building high-performing teams, and expertly navigating various exit strategies. This holistic approach is a critical point of differentiation, positioning Vento as not merely a capital provider but a strategic partner actively involved in the growth and success of its portfolio companies. This hands-on, strategic approach is a major differentiator.
SE: The article mentions the challenges inherent in the Italian regulatory and legal environment for startups. How significant is this obstacle, and what strategies can Vento employ to mitigate these risks?
DR: The Italian regulatory framework does present complexities for startups compared to more established ecosystems in the UK or the US. This primarily affects legal compliance aspects, regulatory hurdles, and fundraising processes. Vento’s approach is two-pronged. First, their deep expertise helps them navigate these complexities for their portfolio companies.Second, and perhaps more importantly, by demonstrating significant successes, they actively advocate for positive regulatory changes. They believe that their success will create a powerful cycle of influence, pressing for improvements in the legislative landscape. By driving tangible achievements, they aim to demonstrate the tremendous potential of the Italian startup scene and create a virtuous cycle of progress.
Conclusion: A Bold Bet on Italian innovation
SE: In closing, what is your overall assessment of Vento’s strategy and its potential impact on the Italian tech ecosystem?
DR: Vento’s approach is a bold investment in Italy’s entrepreneurial future. By combining strategic capital deployment with a robust network and access to world-class expertise, they’re addressing specific bottlenecks that have historically hampered the growth of the Italian tech sector. The success of their strategy will not only contribute to the creation of successful Italian startups but also drive the development of a more supportive and dynamic regulatory environment.It’s a long-term play that, if successful, could trigger a significant conversion of the Italian tech ecosystem, attracting further investment and creating a wealth of jobs and innovation.
What are your thoughts on Vento’s ambitious venture? Share your predictions and insights in the comments below!