In 2023, startup investments in Italy totaled €1.17 billion across 325 funding rounds. The amount shows a 37% decline compared to the previous year due to fewer mega-rounds.

That is why, many angel investors and venture capital firms have stepped up and started to support the growth of new businesses. These angels aren’t just investing capital but are also guiding startups, and arranging different startup events to speed up entrepreneurial growth.

And if you’re thinking about who these angel investors are, let me help you with the list of the top 10 angel investors in Italy.

Top 10 Angel Investors in Italy

Following is the list of the top-ranked angel investors in Italy according to their investments and active involvement. 

Marco Valta

Marco Valta is an entrepreneur and angel investor with over 12 years of experience in the tech/web industry. He is currently a Partner at Ambridge Capital and has had 18 exits, with the most notable ones being StyleLounge, Snap, and SkipTheDishes.

Moreover, Valta likes to be part of companies that are dreaming big. He makes investments at the seed stage and looks for startups led by experienced entrepreneurs and those who have created hype for their exceptional products/services.

The investment range of Marco Valta is around  €5M.

Fabio Mondini de Focatiis

Fabio Mondini de Focatiis is one of the most active individual investors in Italy. He has around 10 years of experience in more than 20 countries as a venture capitalist, business angel, and entrepreneur.

He currently serves as a Venture Partner at Eurazeo Investment, following their acquisition of IDINVEST Partners.

When funding startups, Fabio Mondini de Focatiis focuses on businesses at the early stages. He invests in startups that are producing something unique, either in the form of a product or a service.

The investment range of Fabio Mondini de Focatiis lies around  €200,000.

Luca Ascani

Luca Ascani is also a well-known angel investor and an experienced entrepreneur. He has founded many businesses and surprisingly, many of them have been acquired by other big names. During the investment process, Luca Ascani selects startups through networking events and startup fundraisers.

He is known for attending relevant startup events and meeting leaders to find a business that is introducing something new to the Italian Entrepreneurial scene. Once a startup leader has proven his startup idea, Luca Ascani provides him with access to experienced mentorship panels along with the required investment.

The investment range of Luca Ascani lies between 50,000 to 100,000.

Giovanni Gardelli

Giovanni Gardelli is an Italian angel investor as well as an experienced entrepreneur who takes an interest in funding early-stage startups. Before his investing career, Giovanni had a rich entrepreneurial history. He co-founded BuyCentral.it, Italy’s first shopping comparison site, which was later acquired by Lycos in 2004.

Similarly, Gardelli seeks startups that have the potential to secure profits and scale internationally within 2 years of the initial investment. He also values businesses that are being led by startup leaders who understand business and are well-experienced.

The investment range of Giovanni Gardelli is between  €25,000 to  €75,000.

Fabio Cannavale

Based in Milan, Fabio Cannavale is known for his strong interest in tech-related companies. He has also founded many companies (most of them are now acquired by other well-reputed companies).

When making investments, Fabio Cannavale prioritizes innovation and funds startups accordingly. He usually funds startups through investor meetings and individually selects the companies with the most potential through public events. 

The investment range of Fabio Cannavale is around  €100,000.

Polo Barberis

Known as the founder of Nanabianca, Polo Barberis is an experienced angel investor with a strong interest in Florence and Milan-based startups. Barberis primarily invests in the seed stage. His industry focus includes Consumer Internet and Mobile.

Moreover, Polo Barberis usually funds startups through fundraisers and startup accelerators. He is known for his careful evaluation and doesn't invest in businesses that have high competition.

The investment range of Polo Barberis lies between  €500,000 to  €2M.

Andrea Dusi

Andrea Dusi is an active angel investor in the EU who has made a total of 23 investments (out of which 6 are in Italy). He has a strong background as an investor, with a number of successful investments in his portfolio. Previously, Dusi had 3 exits, with the most notable ones being Wish Days and Checkout Technologies.

Talking about his investment interest, Andrea Dusi prioritizes startups that can generate high profits and are related to climate tech and VC. Throughout the past 5 years, Andrea Dusi hasn't just contributed to the Italian startup ecosystem financially but also invested his time into guiding the young startup leaders.

The investment range of Andrea Dusi is around  €200,000.

Matteo De Brabant

Matteo De Brabant is an active individual angel investor who likes to fund Italian startups. De Brabant started funding startups after the success of his personally owned companies. Currently, he is the Founder and serves as Co-Chief Executive Officer & Co-Chairman at Jakala.

Similarly, Matteo De Brabant prefers startups that can grow 2-3x and are dreaming of achieving an international presence. In short, he wants to invest in startups that are planning to participate in the longer game and generate massive profits.

The investment range of Matteo De Brabant lies between  €30,000 to  €300,000.

Enrico Pandian

Enrico Pandian has also been investing in Italian startups for the past 4 years. He has founded many businesses and understands which startups can easily attain success when provided with the required funds.

Similarly, Enrico Pandian invests in high-growth startups, being led by individuals who have 4-5 experience of in their relevant industry. He also attends many startup events to find the most suitable fit for his investment.

The investment range of Enrico Pandian lies between  €20,000 to  €250,000.

Raffaele Terrone

Although Raffaele Terrone is based out of Italy, he still makes investments in the country as a part of his external initiatives. He actively invests in early-stage businesses that are related to tech and has a background of working with many well-reputed firms.

The investment range of Raffaele Terrone is around  €50,000.  

How To Connect With Angel Investors?

We often get questions about “the best ways to connect with angel investors.” And honestly, If you have short-listed some investors to pitch to, this question will also pop up in your mind.

So, here are some short tips on how you can get connected with angel investors to secure a warm introduction. 

Attending Events

Most of the angel investors attend startup accelerators and related events to find deserving businesses. So, if you attend the event and have researched your targetted investor, it would be easy for you to build a new connection. 

Networks

Networks are vital in the startup community. That is why you need to build connections with useful people and understand how the industry works. To start fresh, we would recommend creating a linkedin account and start building connections from there.

Digital Platforms

Another great idea is to utilize the digital presence of the angel investors and connect with them online. Although many would think of this as a “Non-Working” tip, but trust me, there’s a reason almost every angel investor and VC firm has a good-looking Website/LinkedIn profile. 

Wrap-Up

In a nutshell, angel investors love funding startups that can help them get recognition and generate huge ROI. As a startup leader, don’t feel too confused about your first investor meeting and ruin the opportunity.

Research well, remain confident, and show the real potential of your startup to the angel investor. 

Frequently Asked Questions