ITALIAN TECH FORUM
2026
From Seed to Scale:
Exploring the complete journey of Italian tech innovation
DATE
04 February 2026
LOCATION
Technopark Zurich
Technoparkstrasse 1, 8005 Zurich
Italian Tech Forum
The Italian Tech Forum (ITF) is a pitching and networking event designed to foster connections between the Swiss and Italian innovation ecosystems while raising awareness on Italian tech in the Zurich’s Swiss tech and business community.
Initiated by the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Tech Hub (satellite group of the Chamber), the Italian Tech Forum aims to provide:
01. The Zurich ecosystem with privileged access to Italian innovation
02.Exposure to the Italian ecosystem in the Zurich tech community
Program
Welcome and registration: 6.00 pm
Beginning of the program: 6.15 pm
Master of Ceremony: Stephan Lendi
Slot 0: Opening Session – Setting the Stage for Italian Innovation (30mins)
- Welcome Address: Fabrizio Macrì, Secretary General of Camera di Commercio Italiana in Svizzera.
- Welcome Address: Mario Baldi, General Consul of Italy in Zurich
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Keynote: Italy’s Tech Renaissance – A National Strategy for Global Impact
- Speaker: Sergio Strozzi, Head of Innovation, Technology and Startups at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy
- Content: An authoritative overview of Italy’s national innovation strategy (“Sistema Paese”)
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Why Zurich? A Gateway to Global Growth
- Speaker: Rolf Bühler, Director Europe at Greater Zurich Area
- Content: A focused presentation on why the Zurich ecosystem is a strategic launchpad for Italian scaleups
Slot 1: “Seed” Forging Innovation from the Ground Up (20mins)
Moderator: Alessandro Dini
- Format: Moderated Panel Discussion
- Theme: This panel will dissect the foundational stage of the Italian innovation funnel, exploring how early-stage ideas are nurtured into viable ventures.
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Panelists:
- Samuele Porsia, Director of Italian Trade Agency (ITA): Presenting ITA as the “operational arm” of Italian innovation abroad
- Luca de Angelis (CEO, Tech Europe Foundation): Tackling the critical underfunding in Italy’s pure research pipeline
- Prof. Francesco Cupertino (Professor at Politecnico di Bari and Board Member at ARTI Puglia) : Demonstrating how regional governments are becoming powerful catalysts for innovation.
Slot 2: “Scale” Forging Global Champions (35mins)
- Format: Keynote Presentations featuring a VC and a portfolio scaleup.
- Theme: This session will explore how leading venture capital funds are transforming Italy’s most promising startups into global players
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Presentations:
- Massimiliano Magrini (Managing Partner, United Ventures), Sabrina Maniscalco (CEO e founder, Algorithmiq): A dual presentation showcasing the VC-founder partnership in action
- Alessandro Scortecci, CDP Venture Capital, Burkhard Güssefeld (Co-Founder e CTO, Allsides): Highlighting the role of institutional capital in fueling ambitious growth.
Slot 3: “Exit” The Billion-Dollar Outcome (15mins)
- Format: Fireside Chat
- Theme: Anatomy of a Unicorn Exit: The Nozomi Networks Story.
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Speakers:
- Marc Greuter, General Partner – Planven
- Elisabetta Vesconi, Investment Manager – Planven
Networking & Apéro
An exclusive opportunity for attendees to connect with speakers, investors, and entrepreneurs in a relaxed and curated setting.The following partners will be available with booths during the networking portion of the event:
- Lenz & Staehelin
- Italian Trade Agency, with their dedicated FDI desk and the following startups: Beep (Fintech) – Billd (Fintech) – Penelope (Fintech) – Ruralis (Real Estate / Hospitality) – The Genesys (Web3 / 3D Printing) – Inspectiondrone (Drones) – Damo (Fashion / Sustainability) – Volvero (Mobility)
- Regione Puglia, with the following startups: Hyba (Energy Storage & Mobility) – Ivis Technology (Medical Devices) – Hyperwork (Hyperloop Infrastructure) – Qsensato (Quantum Sensing)
Sponsorship Opportunities
Tech Fan
CHF 1'000
- Logo and standard mention on all event communications
- Company rollup onsite
- Thank you mention during introductory speech
- 1 complimentary entry
- Post-event thank you mention
Top Tech
CHF 3'000
- Logo and standard mention on all event communications
- Company rollup onsite
- Presence in the discussion panel
- Thank you mention during introductory speech
- 2 complimentary entries
- Post-event thank you mention
Strategic Partner
CHF 5'000+Limited to only 2 partners
- Dedicated logo mention on all communications
- Dedicated corner onsite
- Contribution to event content
- Dedicated introductory moment
- Presence in the discussion panel
- 4 complimentary entries
- Dedicated post-event thank you mention
Info - Italian Tech Forum
Opening hours
04-February 2026: 18:00
Expression of Interest Request
The Italian Tech Forum 2026 is a closed event upon invitation only.
You can submit your contact information in case additional slots become available.
Thank you for your interest in the Italian Tech Forum 2026.
Unfortunately, the event is sold out and we are no longer accepting requests.
Thank you for your understanding!
