Vento: Powering Italian Startup Ecosystem
Vento is celebrating 2 Years of 60 Investments, 20 New Startups, and Thousands of Entrepreneurs
Vento, the esteemed Italian arm of Exor Ventures, takes great pride in commemorating its second anniversary, symbolizing a period of remarkable influence and triumph within the Italian startup realm. Through the preceding two years, Vento has firmly entrenched itself as a trailblazing entity in both venture capital and entrepreneurial cultivation, catalyzing innovation across many sectors and nurturing pioneering startups’ emergence.
A Dual Approach to Fostering Innovation
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 €150,000 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.
The venture building program further exemplifies Vento’s innovative approach, selecting talented individuals at the pre-idea and pre-team stage and financially supporting them as they develop their startups. Currently, in its third edition, 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 €80,000 in the latest cohort of 40 talents.
Vento’s Portfolio Diversity: A Spectrum of Innovation Across Key Industries
We are the most active non-governamental fund in Italy and we have a very diverse portfolio of companies. Notably, Health Tech and Biotech together represent a significant 20% of our investments, showcasing our dedication to startups at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and biological sciences.
Commenting on the first of years of operation, Diyala D’Aveni, Head of Vento
The rest of our portfolio spans vital sectors such as Software/SaaS/Marketplace (35%), Fintech, and Deeptech (10% each), as well as emerging industries like SpaceTech and PropTech (5% each), demonstrating our strategic foresight in nurturing a breadth of technologies that pave the way for a future of breakthroughs and enduring impact.
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.
Looking Ahead: Italian Tech Week and Beyond
As Vento looks to the future, it 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.