From Valtellina to Silicon Valley: Liquid Factory Launches to Support European Startups in Partnership with Banca Popolare di Sondrio

Introducing Liquid Factory: A Startup Studio Backed by Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs to Discover Europe’s Next Unicorns

Liquid Factory, a newly established Startup Studio, has opened applications for its first cohort of innovative startups. Located in Valtellina and developed in partnership with Banca Popolare di Sondrio, this initiative connects Italy’s Alpine beauty with the fast-paced technological environment of Silicon Valley.

The studio’s mission is to attract the best young talent from Generation Z and beyond, from Italy and across Europe, and help transform entrepreneurial ideas into global successes. Liquid Factory offers a unique opportunity to combine the high quality of life in the Alpine region with access to top-tier accelerators in California.

The idea behind Liquid Factory—a “startup factory” offering hands-on support from ideation to fundraising—comes from Fabrizio Capobianco, a “serial entrepreneur” with over 20 years of Silicon Valley experience. Capobianco, known for founding four startups between Italy and the U.S. (Internet Graffiti, Stigma Online, Funambol, TOK.tv), leads a team of seasoned entrepreneurs and professors, including Alberto Onetti and Matteo Daste, partners at Mind The Bridge.

Liquid Factory offers a unique blend of a natural, tranquil working environment and cutting-edge technological know-how. The studio’s approach aims to foster the development of groundbreaking ideas while giving entrepreneurs the flexibility to pursue personal passions alongside their professional goals.

A survey reveals that 57% of Generation Z workers prioritize a flexible work environment where they can balance personal projects with professional life. Liquid Factory addresses this demand with its “liquid company” model, allowing work to adapt to the individual’s lifestyle, whether they are physically present or not.

Each year, four talented entrepreneurs will be chosen to participate in the “Entrepreneurship in Residence” program, where they can turn their startup ideas into thriving businesses. No previous work experience or completed studies are required to apply, and each startup will receive €200,000 in funding, with full autonomy to use the funds as they see fit—no repayment required.

Our goal, thanks to our Partner Banca Popolare di Sondrio, is to create a center of technological excellence in Italy, especially targeting graduates and young professionals from all over Europe, as well as anyone looking to develop a project aimed at crossing national boundaries. Our mission is simple: help the best talents develop their entrepreneurial ideas without sacrificing quality of life. In Valtellina, our young entrepreneurs can take a break from calls to immerse themselves in nature and recharge, while maintaining daily contact with the world of major international investors.

There are many points of contact between those who love the mountains and those who dream of changing the world with an innovative tech idea. It’s no coincidence that the natural progression of a startup is referred to as scalability—a term commonly associated with the mountains. The values shared by these worlds are numerous: perseverance, tenacity, resilience, teamwork, leadership, courage, passion, innovation, vision, and ambition.

These are precisely the traits we seek because we are confident that many of the world’s next unicorns will come to Silicon Valley from Europe, and we will help them scale, starting from Italy, in beautiful landscapes where nature is still pristine and creativity can be expressed to its fullest.

 says Fabrizio Capobianco, Partner at Liquid Factory.

Our bank has always been close to businesses and entrepreneurs and is particularly sensitive to new entrepreneurial ideas and young talents, who represent the strength of our economic system, rich in excellences. We are strongly committed to supporting the venture capital project focused on digital technology.

We chose to stand by Liquid Factory, which has a team of highly experienced and skilled professionals, including engineer Fabrizio Capobianco, who, as a young talent, made his mark in Silicon Valley and now returns to our valley with the strength of experience and a long track record of international success. I would call him a serial entrepreneur.

Our shared goal is to create, starting from Valtellina, our chosen territory, a virtuous ecosystem that involves the community, universities, and investors, breaking geographical boundaries with the power of ideas through the arrival of emerging tech startups in Silicon Valley.

commented Mario Alberto Pedranzini, General Manager of Banca Popolare di Sondrio.

In addition to Capobianco, the Liquid Factory team includes Board Members Alberto Onetti and Giuseppe Recchi, along with partners Matteo Daste, Michele Zonca, Villy Wang, Luca Penati, Franco Folini, Emanuela Zaccone, Francesco Di Cataldo, Stefano Angelinis, and Luisa Ferrandini.

Applications are open now and will close on October 31, 2024. Visit the Liquid Factory website for more information or to apply.