Last June, we announced that Milan would host the 0100 International conference for the second consecutive year, with the aim of strengthening its growing reputation as the ‘next financial capital of Europe’. At a presentation meeting for the event, some of the content, programme and spirit of the conference were previewed. The conference is scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 October at Palazzo Castiglioni and will bring together over 700 representatives of private finance from around the world, including more than 500 LPs (limited partners) and GPs (general partners).
The presentation meeting was attended by representatives of the Italian private equity and venture capital ecosystem, together with representatives of the Department of Economic Development of the Municipality of Milan and Milano&Partners, to discuss how Milan is positioning itself among the leading cities for innovation and capital in Europe.
Fiorenza Lipparini, general manager of Milano&Partners, emphasises that Milan’s momentum is evident in the figures: in 2024, the city’s start-ups raised over €500 million in venture capital funding, one of the strongest years on record, while Italy as a whole attracted €1.2 billion. “These flows reflect more than just capital,” says Lipparini. “They show that Milan is offering the conditions that investors are looking for: robust infrastructure, regulatory clarity, quality of life, excellence in research and connectivity throughout Europe.”
Alessia Cappello, Councillor for Economic Development and Labour Policies for the Municipality of Milan, highlights the city’s role as host: “After the success of last year’s edition, Milan is proud to welcome 0100 International back again. The event offers a unique platform where investors, entrepreneurs and policy makers can discuss how to strengthen Milan’s role as a capital hub, address the challenges of startup growth and adapt to new regulatory changes shaping the market.”
Pavol Fuchs, CEO of Zero One Hundred Conferences, emphasises the importance of Milan’s international profile: “Milan has all the ingredients to become a global hub for the private market: entrepreneurial talent, access to capital and international connectivity. With 0100 International, our goal is to connect Italy’s innovation ecosystem with global LPs and GPs, creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and the city itself. The dynamism we see here is just the beginning.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that the Italian venture capital ecosystem has matured but still needs greater capital flows to reach its full potential.
Massimiliano Magrini, founder and managing partner of United Ventures, explains that the innovation sector in Italy has entered a new phase of development. He described the 0100 conference as “a unique opportunity for LPs and GPs to exchange perspectives on the future of venture capital,” adding that venture capital is “the catalyst that enables start-ups to grow internationally, access global markets and attract world-class talent, strengthening Italy’s role in the global innovation economy.”
Andrea Di Camillo, founder and managing partner of P101 SGR, reiterates the need to combine capital, talent and discipline instead of chasing valuations. He warns that, although Europe produces great ideas, only 5% of global venture capital is allocated to the continent. “Italian venture capital has already become an industry and has entered a new phase of development. If we continue to support innovation and our businesses, Italian unicorns will be the natural consequence.”
Adding another perspective, Luca Rancilio, CEO of Rancilio Cube, illustrates the unique role of family offices. Unlike institutional investors, family offices often bring a long-term vision, flexibility and cultural proximity to entrepreneurs. “This makes them particularly well suited to supporting ambitious founders, fostering a culture of growth and accelerating Italy’s transformation into a more competitive and innovative market.”
These issues take on even greater significance at this particular moment in history, with Europe working on the so-called 28th regime, also known as EU-INC, which aims to break down internal EU regulatory barriers and provide start-ups and scale-ups with a single regulatory framework valid throughout the Union in order to accelerate their global competitiveness. Bringing numerous investors from all over the world to Milan with the 0100 International Conference can, in this scenario, prove to be an exponentially successful move because it acts at a time of, hopefully, fundamental structural change.
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