Italian Tech sector continues its impressive ascent. In Q1 2025 alone, startups across the country secured $315 million in fresh capital, pushing the sector’s enterprise value beyond $82 billion. More than double what it was four years ago, according to Dealroom.
At the heart of this momentum is Vento, Italy’s leading early-stage venture capital firm. Since 2022, Vento has made over 100 investments and recently launched a new €75 million fund. But its influence goes beyond capital — Vento also powers Italy’s largest tech event, Italian Tech Week (ITW).
This year’s ITW is set to break new ground with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as the headline speaker. As a pioneer in tech, space exploration, and climate innovation. His appearance underlines Italy’s rising prominence on the global innovation map.
Italian Tech Week: Italy’s Launchpad for Innovation
Founded by Vento and Exor Ventures in partnership with the GEDI Group in 2018, Italian Tech Week was designed to energize Europe’s tech ecosystem and inspire local entrepreneurs to think globally.
Held annually in Turin, ITW has become one of Europe’s most influential tech gatherings. With over 15,000 attendees, it has welcomed global thought leaders like Sam Altman (OpenAI), Peter Thiel (PayPal), Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), and Brian Chesky (Airbnb).
Vento CEO Diyala D’Aveni told Tech Funding News that the event reflects Italy’s ambition to evolve from a manufacturing leader into a powerhouse of digital innovation. “We aim to connect Italy’s strengths in engineering and design with frontier technologies,” she explained.
In 2024, ITW hosted 180 speakers from 15 countries and enabled more than 10,000 one-on-one meetings. Attendees included top-tier investors from Sequoia Capital and General Catalyst, alongside leaders from global giants like Ferrari. More than 90 VCs and 70 major corporations participated, reinforcing ITW’s reputation as a high-impact networking platform.
What’s New for ITW 2025?
This year’s theme, “The Wave Ahead,” honors innovators who shape — rather than follow — market trends. Scheduled for October 1–3 in Turin, the conference will dive into AI, robotics, climate tech, healthcare, and manufacturing through keynote sessions, panels, and masterclasses.
For the first time, ITW will introduce evening gatherings, live podcast recordings, and premium ticket options for VIP networking. General admission remains free, offering full access to the main program and citywide events.
D’Aveni highlighted the significance of Bezos’ presence: “It’s a signal that the world is watching. Our Q1 numbers show that Italy is not just catching up — we’re building companies with global potential.”
Italian Tech in 2025: Growth in a Slowing Global Economy
Despite a cooling global economy, Italy’s tech sector is gaining strength. Early-stage investment in Q1 2025 matched the previous year, and the sector’s total value rose by $12 billion compared to the end of 2024. Notable rounds this year include Innovo Renewables ($32M), CamGraPhIC ($27M), Tethis ($16M), and Subbyx ($16M).
There’s also clear progress in deal maturity. While 89% of 2024’s funding rounds were pre-seed or seed, Q1 2025 already recorded 19 Series A rounds — over half of last year’s total.
D’Aveni summed up the moment: “As Europe works to build digital sovereignty in a complex global landscape, ITW serves as a critical meeting point for ideas, investment, and impact.”
