Phoenix Spark took part in the fourth US Stakeholders Meeting organized by the Transatlantic Investment Committee (TIC) and the Transatlantic Harmonic Foundation (THF) on October 16–17, 2025, a key event aimed at strengthening economic and business dialogue between Italy and the United States.
Supported by the Italian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Enterprises and Made in Italy, CDP Venture, and the Italian Tech Alliance, the meeting was hosted at the Italian Embassy in Washington. Attendance figures were impressive: 500 participants, 30 VC funds involved, six Italian regions and nine U.S. states represented.
The inaugural meeting of the Transatlantic Venture Platform focused on the launch of a transatlantic venture capital investment platform between the two countries. The event brought together 20 leading investors and innovators from both sides of the Atlantic and included the presence of Giulio Fezzi and Paola Del Zotto Ferrari, respectively President and Director of Phoenix Spark.
The first day opened with remarks by Ambassador Marco Peronaci, who emphasized that “Italy firmly believes in the importance of an ever-deeper dialogue and closer cooperation with the United States, with businesses playing a fundamental role in this process.”
A strong existing relationship is confirmed by notable figures:
- Over $76 billion in Italian investments in the United States;
- Nearly 6,000 Italian companies operating overseas;
- Approximately 300,000 direct jobs generated by Italian-controlled companies.
Transatlantic Venture Platform – This new initiative, designed to connect startups and scaleups in emerging technology sectors, focused on removing regulatory and tax barriers that hinder U.S. investors from investing in Italian startups. From aligning term sheets to streamlining due diligence, the goal is clear: to promote freer circulation of innovation and capital between our ecosystems.
The strategic importance of ecosystems was highlighted by Zack MacFarland, National Security & Energy Startups Lead at NVIDIA, one of the world’s leading startup investors, who noted that NVIDIA operates with an “ecosystem-centric” mindset, focusing its investments not only on individual companies but also on the ecosystems in which they grow.
This serves as a call for governments, regions, and stakeholders to actively engage in building and strengthening environments where innovation can thrive.
At Phoenix Spark, there is a strong commitment to being a key driver in the development and consolidation of these ecosystems. The second day, more institutionally focused, allowed us to expand our network of relationships and connections precisely in the strategic locations where presence matters most.
“We have seen firsthand how transatlantic collaboration is entering a new phase, where platforms, co-investments, and shared services become tangible tools to build more integrated and competitive ecosystems,” shared President Giulio Fezzi and Director Paola Del Zotto Ferrari. “For Phoenix Spark, these days reaffirm the value of our positioning as an operational bridge between Italy and the United States, as a partner for companies looking to grow in deep tech and high tech sectors—now decisive for the global economy—and, finally, as a player committed to ‘connecting the dots’ between institutions, investors, and businesses.”
Through our presence in key U.S. innovation hubs, such as Texas and California, Phoenix Spark positions itself as an enabler of relationships and opportunities, promoting concrete, results-oriented cooperation across the Atlantic.
