EUVC VC | E516 | Founding with Focus: Why Italy’s VC Moment Is Now
Jul 8, 2025
Lorenzo Franzi, Founding Partner at the Italian Founders Fund, is reshaping Italy's startup scene through a founder-first approach. He discusses the importance of empathy in investment strategies and emphasizes the unique triad of Italian, diaspora, and inbound startups. Lorenzo shares insights on navigating regulatory hurdles and why Italy's moment as a venture capital powerhouse is now. He advocates for a concentrated portfolio strategy and stresses that the focus should shift from unicorn chasing to building an impactful ecosystem that supports local founders.
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Cultural Impact on Founders
- Understanding Italy's cultural impact is crucial to supporting local founders effectively.
- Cultural upbringing shapes ambition and risk-taking, influencing founders' behavior distinctly in Italy.
Italy's Rising Startup Culture
- Italy has traditionally exhibited strong risk aversion, limiting startup culture growth.
- More local entrepreneurial success is emerging, aided by Italian founders abroad inspiring change.
Lorenzo’s Diverse Career Path
- Lorenzo grew up bilingual and internationally, transitioning from banking to venture in France.
- He founded a startup before investing professionally focused on Southern Europe and Benelux.