Italian Tech Week

Deep technologies have the power to make the world a better place—no question about it. But if that’s the case, why aren’t more founders dedicating themselves to building startups with this game-changing potential? When Sam Altman joined us at ITW 2024, he gave the ultimate answer: because it’s a high-reward bet that comes with high risks and significant costs. Take OpenAI and its most famous product, ChatGPT. AI has been in the spotlight for over a year now, consistently reshaping how we work and offering new ways to deliver both existing and novel services. But Sam Altman’s journey with OpenAI started in 2015—almost nine years ago—and demanded an extraordinary level of professional and personal commitment. Deep Tech has the potential to transform the way we see and experience the world in ways we can’t fully imagine yet. But founding startups in this field requires an effort from both founders and investors that goes beyond the usual fast-success mindset. It demands a mix of commitment, patience, and a certain faith in a process that is often long and winding. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it only makes sense that a future shaped by Deep Tech might take more than a few quarters to come to life, and that's perfectly fine.

How do you see the future of European tech shaping up? Last September at #ITW24, Agata C. Hidalgo, European Affairs Lead at France Digitale, took the stage to present LETS 2024—a comprehensive report spotlighting 251 European tech scaleups leading the charge globally. Unlike traditional rankings, LETS shifts focus from fundraising and valuations hype to real impact: global revenues and international reach. Every company featured generates at least €10M annually, with €1M+ beyond their domestic market. Hidalgo broke down the LETS map, a unique lens on the European tech ecosystem, highlighting: - Companies span 20+ European countries - 70% of scaleups serve customers globally, with North America topping export markets - Sectors like gaming and software go global from day one, while others grow locally first. Driving Jobs and Growth. These scale-ups aren’t just ideas—they’re building the future: - Average of 415 employees per company - 94% are hiring, with some looking for 50+ talents! Yet challenges remain: navigating Europe’s fragmented markets and driving successful exits to compete on the global stage. This presentation was more than just numbers—it was a call to action for the European tech community to think bigger, scale faster, and take global innovation seriously.


🎙️ Throwback to #ITW24’s first-ever Podcast Day! Andrii Degeler joined us for a special live recording of TNW Podcast, where he sat down with Ilkka Paananen, co-founder and CEO of Supercell. Catch their inspiring conversation in the special Episode 42 to hear insights from one of tech’s leading innovators. Listen here > https://lnkd.in/dyj5MmeF #PodcastDay #ITW24 #TNWPodcast #TechConversations #LivePodcast

At #ITW24’s first-ever Podcast Day, Riccardo Carnevale sat down with Marco Ogliengo CEO and Co-founder of Jet HR diving into the thrills of entrepreneurship, rapid growth, and a lot more. You can catch the full episode on Starting Finance. Afterward, we grabbed Riccardo for a quick chat, during which he let slip his dream guest: none other than the 94-year-old "Oracle of Omaha" himself, Warren Buffett. It sounds crazy, yes, but as someone wise once said, 'nothing is impossible.' Stay tuned for more exclusive #ITW24 moments coming soon!

First things first: where do biases come from? The word "stereotype" originally described a printing technique from the 1700s, where metal sheets created fixed, reproducible images. Similarly, biases function as mental shortcuts that duplicate fixed ideas—often unconsciously. As Cristiana Scelza put it: “Biases are mental shortcuts to solve problems quickly.” Affinity Bias is a prime example: it’s the tendency to favor people who are similar. This bias contributes to tech leadership’s lack of diversity, where leaders tend to promote those who resemble them. And AI isn’t immune; it learns and reflects human biases. Prompt “AI engineer” in GenAI to see it in action. To counter these ingrained biases, Scelza shared four strategies: 1. Know Your Worth Trust in personal skills and ensure one’s voice is heard. Women, in particular, may struggle with self-doubt, making this essential. 2. Lean into Discomfort Leadership isn’t about being liked. Women often face double standards when assertive, but challenging this discomfort helps counter these biases. 3. Build a Strong Network Networks and mentorships—across genders—are invaluable. 4. Embrace a Unique Leadership Style Authenticity matters; embracing empathy and collaboration creates powerful leadership. What leaders can do: Recognize biases Create accountability Listen to diverse voices, Celebrate women in leadership On the #ITW24 stage, Cristiana Scelza, President of Valore D, shared these powerful insights on breaking gender biases and embracing genuine leadership. 💡 There’s no better place than a tech event to discuss contemporary issues like women’s leadership. Stay tuned for more inspiring moments and empowering content! #italiantechweek #women #womenintech #leadership 

What is the fundamental quality that all great entrepreneurs share? Mike Volpi, partner at Index Ventures, addressed this on stage at #ITW24. With over 20 years of experience investing in more than 160 startups—including success stories like Facebook, Deliveroo, Dropbox, Revolut, Skype, Slack, and Just Eat, among others—Index Ventures knows a thing or two about ground-breaking founders and businesses. According to Mike Volpi, what sets great entrepreneurs apart is their ability to be "highly commercial people." This means they have the talent to identify large markets where they can introduce their innovative products or services. Want to learn more? Watch the full video and follow us for more insights from the latest edition of ITW.

The secret to success? As Matilde Giglio shared on stage at ITW, it’s about hiring the best people available, giving them care, all the resources they need to excel, and, above all, fostering a culture of trust that empowers people to make tough decisions quickly. Even Healthcare is the startup founded in India by Matilde Giglio, Mayank Banerjee, and Alessandro Davide Ialongo that offers unlimited consultations, diagnostic tests, and cashless hospitalization through an in-house medical team, a network of owned clinics, and many insurance partners. Last month, Even closed a $30 million Series A round led by Khosla Ventures, enabling the startup to further expand quality healthcare access in India and build three new hospitals across the country. We're glad to have had leaders like Matilde on our stage at #ITW24. Keep following us for more insights!

Riccardo Carnevale sat down with Marco Ogliengo at #ITW24 Podcast Day 🎧 Catch the full episode here > https://lnkd.in/gxPgDMPi 🎙️

Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, Managing Director and Head of Europe at General Catalyst, is driven by a powerful vision: advancing Europe as a global tech leader. By supporting ambitious founders, she is committed to building enduring businesses that strengthen Europe’s resilience, competitiveness, and sovereignty. ✨ Discover the inspiring profiles we had on stage at #ITW24, and follow us for more updates and insights!

One month ago we brought together visionaries, creators, and leaders to shape what's next. Relive the energy, the inspiration, and the connections that made #ITW24 unforgettable. Missed it this year? No worries! #ITW25 is already on the horizon, and it promises to be even bigger and bolder. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the innovation that’s shaping our future. Keep following and join us in 2025 for another groundbreaking experience!