As we start our journey our roadmap is taking shape. And it will be interesting, informative, and sometimes fun.

Stay tuned for hearing investors, startup founder, and others in the industry tackle the misconceptions Americans have about investing in Italy:

  • “Italy doesn’t have a startup scene.”
    ➤ Wrong — Italy’s startup ecosystem has exploded since 2012 with over 15,000 registered innovative startups, strong hubs in Milan, Turin, Rome, and Florence, and growing investor activity.

  • “It’s impossible to invest from abroad.”
    ➤ You can invest remotely through venture funds, accelerators, or equity crowdfunding platforms regulated under EU law. Many Italian founders welcome American capital and global connections.

  • “Italian bureaucracy makes everything too slow.”
    ➤ Bureaucracy exists, yes — but many regions now have dedicated innovation offices and digital one-stop systems that simplify startup registration and investment procedures.

  • “All Italian startups are small family businesses.”
    ➤ While Italy’s economy has deep SME roots, the new generation of founders is international-minded, fluent in English, and building scalable tech-driven companies.

  • “There’s no real venture capital in Italy.”
    ➤ Local VC is growing fast — firms like P101, LVenture, Primo Ventures, and CDP Venture Capital are actively co-investing with foreign funds. Early-stage rounds are smaller, but valuations are often more attractive.

  • “Italy is only about fashion, food, and wine.”
    ➤ Those sectors thrive, but there’s also strong innovation in AI, robotics, fintech, green tech, and medtech — often with world-class university research behind it.

  • “The returns can’t compete with Silicon Valley.”
    ➤ Italy isn’t Silicon Valley — and that’s the opportunity. Entry valuations are lower, competition is less intense, and exit multiples can surprise savvy investors who spot talent early.

  • “English isn’t widely spoken in business.”
    ➤ In the startup world, English is standard. Most pitch decks, investor calls, and documents are bilingual, especially when foreign investors are involved.

  • “It’s too hard to understand the legal system.”
    ➤ Italy follows EU-standard investment laws and many startups incorporate using simple structures like SRL (similar to an LLC). Local legal firms are used to guiding foreign investors step-by-step.

  • “Italy isn’t innovative.”
    ➤ From Leonardo da Vinci to Ferrari to Enel’s smart-grid projects, innovation runs deep in Italian culture — it’s just often understated. The modern startup generation is blending that creativity with global ambition.

We already have connected with many important and impressive speakers who want to tell their story. Stay tuned!