The Starting Finance Investment Meeting, an event focused on financial and economic education for the younger generation, took place for the first time in Naples, bringing together over two thousand young people and more than 30 speakers for a day dedicated to the economy, employment and innovation.
Organised by Starting Finance, the event brought economists, managers, entrepreneurs and professionals to the capital of Campania to discuss the challenges of the present and the future: economic growth, employment, pensions, innovation, investment and new skills.
The day was opened by Marco Scioli, founder and CEO of Starting Finance: “At one point we asked ourselves: why not bring this format to Naples too? Seeing such a turnout today is probably the greatest reward. For us, this is just the beginning.”
Among the speakers was the economist Carlo Cottarelli, who offered an analysis of the current economic landscape, highlighting how, despite international tensions, Italian data now show more positive signs than a few months ago, with an upward revision of GDP and an improvement in employment. However, the country’s long-standing problem of low growth remains. Cottarelli also drew attention to the need for greater investment in education, noting that public spending on schools is one of the few areas that has fallen in real terms since 2007.
Elsa Fornero (pictured during her speech) turned one of the most frequently asked questions among young people on its head: “Will we ever get a pension?”. For the former Minister of Labour – now an honorary professor of Economics at the University of Turin – the real issue is not the pension itself, but the work that comes before it. In a country with the highest number of NEETs (young people not in education, employment or training) in Europe and one of the lowest employment rates on the continent, the priority should be to create skilled jobs and invest in skills. Fornero also pointed out that over the coming decades Italy will lose around a third of its working-age population, a challenge that will require long-term policies on birth rates, immigration and productivity.
There was also a focus on innovation and development in Southern Italy, with a presentation by Amedeo Giurazza, founder and CEO of Vertis. “The South has talent, high-quality universities, and a growing number of start-ups and incubators.” ‘Yet it continues to receive only a tiny fraction of the country’s venture capital investment. The challenge now is to build an ecosystem capable of retaining talent and attracting capital.’
Giurazza went on to point out that the South is home to 27% of Italian start-ups but attracts just 2% of national venture capital investment, highlighting the need to strengthen the links between universities, innovation and business.
Claudia Ghinfanti, Head of Marketing and Communications at Alleanza Assicurazioni, commented on the key findings from Alleanza Assicurazioni’s Edufin Index 2025 Observatory: ‘The latest edition of our Edufin Index highlights the ever-increasing urgency and importance of investing in financial and insurance education as a driver of personal growth and collective well-being, strengthening the skills of the younger generations, reducing the gaps that still exist, and guiding young people towards more informed choices so they can build their future with greater peace of mind. It is precisely to bridge these persistent gaps that initiatives such as the 2026 Financial Education Tour, of which the SFIM in Naples forms part, are being launched.”
Davide Grasso, an international executive who has worked across all five continents during his career—first as CMO of Nike, then as CEO of Maserati and Converse—spoke about his experience with the iconic marketing campaigns featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant for Nike. Grasso explained how he had learnt the value of preparation, curiosity and discipline from the two basketball champions. This reflection led him to share with the audience a definition of leadership that was greatly appreciated by the students: power is not the freedom to do what you want, but the responsibility to do what is right.
Andrea Favero, Head of Fideuram Direct – Intesa Sanpaolo, spoke about financial education and the relationship between young people and investment: “The event in Naples was an important opportunity to engage with young people and a generation that is approaching the world of finance with fresh expectations, a strong focus on simplicity and a keen need for awareness. At Fideuram Direct, we believe that financial education is a crucial step in helping young people make more informed and responsible choices.”
Favero went on to stress the importance of starting to invest as soon as possible – even with small amounts – in order to gain a feel for the markets and develop a long-term perspective on managing one’s finances.
Fabio Tomassini, president of Starting Finance, brought the day to a close: “Every day we engage with millions of young people through our digital content, but the real value lies in these young people deciding to meet up, exchange ideas and invest time in their own development. It is in this spirit that this event was created and continues to grow.”
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