Vento Ventures

Vento Ventures stands as Italy's most active private early-stage investment fund, operating with complete financial backing from Exor. Their second fund deploys €75 million specifically targeting exceptional Italian entrepreneurs with global ambitions. Taking a flexible approach to investments, the fund maintains a sector-agnostic philosophy and embraces geographic flexibility, allowing them to support Italian talent regardless of where opportunities emerge. This strategic positioning enables Vento to serve as a crucial bridge connecting Italian innovation to global markets.

Beyond traditional venture capital activities, Vento Ventures has established two significant ecosystem initiatives to nurture Italy's entrepreneurial landscape. Their flagship program, Venture Building, offers an intensive 5-month experience transforming ambitious individuals into successful founders. This unique program targets participants without established teams or ideas, facilitating co-founder matching and problem identification. Running annually from January to June in Turin, the program provides participants with a €3,750 grant from Fondazione Compagnia di Sanpaolo during the initial 12 weeks, creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurial development.

The Venture Building program culminates with Vento investing €80,000 for 10% equity in the most promising teams that emerge from the cohort. This structured approach to company creation differentiates Vento from traditional venture funds by actively participating in the earliest stages of entrepreneurship. By requiring full-time relocation to Turin during the program, Vento creates an immersive environment where founders can fully dedicate themselves to building their ventures while benefiting from hands-on mentorship and the fund's extensive network. This methodology has proven effective in launching sustainable startups with strong foundations.

Complementing their investment activities, Vento Ventures organizes Italian Tech Week, which has evolved into one of Europe's premier technology conferences. The 2024 edition attracted over 15,000 attendees from more than 50 countries, cementing its status as a vital connection point for the European tech ecosystem. The event features exclusive discussions with industry leaders, practical masterclasses led by successful entrepreneurs and operators, and numerous networking opportunities across Turin. Through this conference, Vento extends its impact beyond capital deployment, positioning itself as a central force in developing Italy's technology ecosystem and elevating its global visibility.