Italy is famous for its past.
To travel from the Tuscany to Sicily is to travel through history, in a country that counts as many cultures and languages as a continent.
The country contains plethora of marvels; from the ruins of a millennia-old glorious empire, whose amphitheatres and temples are still standing, to the marvellous castles and palaces from the Renaissance, by way of ageless masterpieces, gatekeepers of humanity’s common knowledge and beauty. Italy has established itself as the world’s most precious jewel.
But it’s in its future that shines Italy’s greatness, ready to irradiate the world with the country’s greatest minds and startups.
Nowadays, Italy can rely on its strong and reliable industries, as well as the young startups spawning all around the country. Proof of the Italian’s people constant desire for innovation, improvement and, overall, greatness, pioneering forces such as Vento act as heroes of Italian entrepreneurship.
Two Tremendous Years
Over the past two years, Vento, the Italian chapter of Exor Ventures, has established itself as a pioneering force in venture investment and venture building, fostering innovation across various industries and nurturing the growth of groundbreaking startups.
At the heart of Vento’s success are its two main activities: investments and venture building. Vento has set a new standard for venture capital in Italy, offering an investment ticket of £128.6K to early-stage startups in any industry, provided they have at least one Italian founder. The firm stands out for its swift decision-making process, averaging just five days to deliver outcomes, and its founder-friendly approach. To date, Vento has reviewed more than 2,400 applications, investing in 60 companies—a testament to its rigorous selection process and commitment to excellence.
Diverse and Talented Individuals
Vento’s innovative approach consists in selecitng talented individuals at the pre-idea and pre-team stage and financially supporting them as they develop their startups. Currently, the program has received more than 1,500 applications, selected 110 talents, and launched 20 startups, with investments in 10 of these ventures. These results were achieved thanks to the support of Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo and OGR Torino. Vento eagerly anticipates the results of its upcoming investment committee, which will decide on potential pre-seed investments of £68.6K in the latest cohort of 40 talents.
“Vento is not only a catalyst for technological and entrepreneurial innovation but also a champion for diversity within the startup community. An impressive 30% of the founders in Vento’s portfolio are female, significantly surpassing industry averages and demonstrating Vento’s commitment to inclusive growth.” says Diyala D’Aveni, Head of Vento
Vento is also gearing up for the next edition of Italian Tech Week, with special guest Sam Altman, highlighting its role at the forefront of technological advancement and startup support. This event promises to bring together the brightest minds in technology and entrepreneurship, fostering collaboration and innovation.