/about us

Our Mission

A crucial aspect of INNOVIT’s mission is to facilitate the integration between the Italian and US tech ecosystems. INNOVIT aims to provide visibility to the most innovative Italian entrepreneurs, connecting them to the visionary approach and venture capital resources of Silicon Valley. We work hard to ensure INNOVIT plays a significant role in fostering research and innovation in Italy. Our goal is to promote an inclusive level playfield for the Italian ecosystem to thrive in the future.

Italian Innovation Center

INNOVIT’s Italian Innovation Center is managed by a team of professionals and experts in technology, business and Venture Capital, both in San Francisco and in Italy, and it’s powered by Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini and Entopan Innovation. The management of the Italian Innovation Center at INNOVIT is entrusted to the Giacomo Brodolini Foundation and Entopan Innovation.
The Giacomo Brodolini Foundation is a renowned think-and-do tank dedicated to innovation and local development.  Entopan Innovation, part of the Harmonic Innovation Group, is a leading incubator and accelerator. Their expertise in fostering innovation and driving local growth is instrumental in shaping the direction of INNOVIT.

Alberto Acito

Director

Leandro Agrò

Head of Innovation Programs

Paola Torre

Head of Life Science Programs

Federico Jarach

Program Manager

Jacopo Naidi

Program Manager​

Lidia Schwarz

Operations & Communication Manager

Vidhi Sejpal

Junior Operations & Marketing Manager

Danilo Mirabile

Senior Manager

Francesco Bartoletta

Senior Manager

Elisabetta Secchi

Senior Officer

Simone Lembo

Program Manager​

Raffaele del Monaco

Head of Communication

Francesca Buonanno

Management Board

Chief Project Manager

Carmine Bruno

Management Board

Gennaro Di Cello

Management Board

Manuelita Mancini

Management Board

Diego Teloni

Management Board

Italian Trade Agency

ITA – Italian Trade Agency is the Governmental agency that supports the business development of our companies abroad and promotes the attraction of foreign investment in Italy.

With a motivated and modern organization and a widespread network of overseas offices, ITA provides information, assistance, consulting, promotion and training to Italian small and medium-sized businesses. Using the most modern multi-channel promotion and communication tools, it acts to assert the excellence of Made in Italy in the world.

Giosafat Riganò

Italian Trade Commissioner Los Angeles Office

Sebastiano Peluso

Head of Hi-Tech Desk

Head of Foreign Direct Investment Desk

Marketing and Communications Officer

Italian Cultural Institute

The Italian Cultural Institute San Francisco (Istituto Italiano di Cultura, or IIC) in is an official branch of the Italian government, dedicated to the promotion of the Italian language and culture in the United States.

Under the guidance of its trustees at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Cultural Institute in San Francisco conforms to this commitment by fostering cultural exchange between Italy and the USA in a variety of areas from the arts to the humanities to science. 

Central to the Istituto’s mission is a constant effort to encourage the understanding and enjoyment of Italian culture by the diverse audiences present in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Istituto’s greater geographical jurisdiction. The development of academic exchanges, the organization and support of visual arts exhibitions, the provision of aid to the translation and publication of Italian books, the promotion of Italian studies, and cooperation with local institutions in the organization of various events that aim at a better understanding and appreciation of Italian arts are but a few examples of the Istituto’s initiatives.

Alberta Lai

Director

Silvia Meredo

Administration and Events​

Franca Cavallaro

Event Planning and Communications

Jonas Iaffaldano Di Gregorio

Administrative Assistant

Governance

INNOVIT’s governance structure is comprised of two key bodies: the Advisory Board (AB) and the Steering Committee (SC). The Advisory Board comprises influential representatives from the Silicon Valley venture capital, corporate, and academia community. Their role is pivotal in driving INNOVIT’s mission by expanding networks, promoting INNOVIT’s work and offering valuable insights to improve our programs. 

The Steering Committee, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in Rome, oversees INNOVIT’s strategy and results. It includes a wide range of Italian stakeholders, including other ministries, academia, and financial entities.

The Italian Embassy in Washington and the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco provide operative guidance and ensure that INNOVIT performs according the expectations.

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