Rome isn't just Italy's political capital—it's a serious venture hub with national funds, corporate VCs, and specialist managers clustered around the city's universities and state-owned champions. If you're raising in or into Rome, this guide gives you a clear path: how to shortlist the right investors for your stage and sector, who the most reputable and active Rome-based (or Rome-operating) firms are in 2025, and five tight tips to pitch them well.

1) How to find the right investors (not just any investors)

Match your stage, then your sector. Rome's ecosystem spans seed accelerators through late-stage growth—plus deep-tech and energy-transition specialists. Shortlist funds that explicitly back your stage (pre-seed/seed/Series A/B) and your domain (e.g., AI investors, cybersecurity, energy, aerospace, digital health). A "maybe" on either dimension usually means a slow "no."

Favor investors with a Rome footprint. Local presence matters for speed and access to national incentives and corporate partners (many headquartered in Rome). You’ll see addresses and Rome offices cited throughout this guide so you can prioritize those with on-the-ground teams.

Use co-investment rails. Lazio’s regional stack (e.g., Innova Venture / Lazio Venture) was created to crowd-in private capital alongside public money, accelerating closing dynamics for Lazio-based startups. If you’re in-region, these are real multipliers.

Expand to corporate VCs deliberately. Rome hosts several strategic investors (telecoms, energy, aerospace/defense). They can compress sales cycles and provide industrial validation. Study their theses first—CVCs invest where they can move the needle for the parent. Learn more about corporate venture capital strategies to maximize your approach.

Build a tight, research-driven list. Aim for 20–30 targets max. Check each fund's website for location, current funds, portfolio, and where they say "submit your deck." We've linked sources for every investor below so your outreach starts warm, not blind.

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2) The 15 most active, reputable VC investors in Rome (2025)

1) CDP Venture Capital SGR (CDP VC) — national platform, heavy Rome presence

What they do: Multi-fund investor spanning pre-seed to growth; Italy's cornerstone LP/VC with specific vehicles for seed, acceleration, venture and late stage. Strong co-investment appetite with private VCs. (cdpventurecapital.it)
Rome footprint: Registered office: Via Alessandria 220, 00198 Roma. (cdpventurecapital.it)
Why it matters for you: If you're an Italian company (or building a Rome HQ), CDP VC can anchor or syndicate sizable rounds and de-risk follow-ons through its national network. Ensure your data room is properly organized for their due diligence process.

2) Zest Group (born from LVenture Group + Digital Magics) — accelerator + early-stage VC

What they do: Zest runs 7 acceleration programs and an early-stage investment arm; it's the combined platform of LVenture and Digital Magics, now operating as a single listed entity. Rome hub remains a key node. (zestgroup.vc)
Rome footprint: Via Marsala 29/H (Termini innovation hub). (Pi Campus Rome)
Why it matters for you: If you want a classic “program → seed → follow-on” pathway with a big corporate/open-innovation funnel in Rome, Zest is the door.

3) Pi Campus — seed fund + startup villas around EUR

What they do: Early checks, often €50k–€500k at pre-seed/seed, with a focus on AI-driven products and great design. Portfolio includes globally known product-centric teams; hands-on operator support. (United Ventures)
Why it matters for you: Strong if you're product-obsessed, fast iterating, and want operator investors in Rome's EUR district ecosystem.

4) United Ventures (UV) — thesis-led early stage, Rome office

What they do: UV III targets €1–8M initial tickets for 15–18 early-stage European tech companies; multi-fund platform with deep software chops. ([United Ventures][5])
Rome footprint: Office at Via Ludovico di Savoia 2, 00185 Roma (c/o Spazio M3). ([United Ventures][4])
Why it matters for you: If you’re a Rome-based SaaS, data, or infrastructure play ready for a lead at seed/Series A, UV is a credible first institutional partner.

5) Lazio Innova — Innova Venture (regional co-investment fund)

What they do: The Region’s in-house arm. Innova Venture co-invests alongside private investors in Lazio-based innovative startups; designed to catalyze private capital into the region. ([deepoceancapital.it][6])
Why it matters for you: If you’re building in Lazio (or moving operational HQ here), Innova Venture can unlock matching capital and signal local backing.

6) Angelini Ventures (CVC of Angelini Industries) — digital health & biotech

What they do: €300M venture platform investing globally in digital health and biotech; HQ in Rome. Frequent participation and lead roles from seed through growth in healthtech/biotech. ([angeliniventures.com][7])
Rome footprint: Viale Amelia 70, 00181 Roma (registered office). ([angeliniventures.com][8])
Why it matters for you: If you’re health-focused (neuro, women’s health, diagnostics, therapeutics, digital care), Angelini brings capital plus pharma/clinical/market access muscle. ([angeliniindustries.com][9])

7) TIM Ventures (Telecom Italia CVC) — telco/cloud/cyber/AI

What they do: Corporate venture arm of TIM; invests from pre-seed to growth in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, IoT, fintech, edtech, e-health, and green/digital-life themes. ([eni.com][10])
Why it matters for you: For infra-adjacent software or network-aware products, TIM brings distribution channels, proof-of-concept opportunities, and brand.

8) Eni Next (CVC of Eni) — energy transition, climate, hardtech

What they do: Corporate venture unit backing technologies for decarbonization and energy transition (storage, CCUS, hydrogen, circularity, industrial AI). ([cdpventurecapital.it][11])
Rome context: Eni’s group HQ is in Rome; Eni Next invests globally but partners closely with group businesses. ([zestgroup.vc][12])
Why it matters for you: If you’re climate/industrial deeptech, Eni Next can pilot and scale with a major energy player.

9) Leonardo — Business Innovation Factory (BIF) & strategic investing

What they do: Aerospace/defence giant Leonardo runs the BIF accelerator (with LVenture/Zest), selecting up to 10 startups/year, six-month Rome-based programs, and pathways to PoCs with business units; Leonardo also makes strategic equity investments (e.g., 10% of FlyingBasket). ([Leonardo][13])
Rome footprint: Corporate HQ Piazza Monte Grappa 4 plus multiple Rome sites. ([leonardoglobalsolutions.com][14])
Why it matters for you: If you’re cyber, simulation, advanced sensing, or dual-use tech, this is the Rome door to mission-critical markets.

10) Eureka! Venture SGR — deep tech / tech-transfer specialist

What they do: Manages Eureka! Fund I – Technology Transfer, investing at proof-of-concept, seed, and early stage in spin-offs from Italian universities and research centers; EIF & CDP anchor investors; first close €38M (target €50M). ([eurekaventure.it][15])
Rome footprint: Office presence at Via Marsala 29 (Termini). ([LinkedIn][16])
Why it matters for you: If you’re a lab-born or IP-heavy startup, Eureka! knows how to bridge tech transfer, IP strategy, and first commercial steps. ([eurekaventure.it][17])

11) Lumen Ventures — seed-stage operator fund

What they do: Seed investor with an operator DNA; first vehicle launched around €25M; targets fintech/SaaS/AI and adjacent categories; active Rome presence. ([EU-Startups][18])
Rome footprint: Via G.B. Morgagni 3, 00161 Roma (contact). ([lumen.ventures][19])
Why it matters for you: If you’re at seed with pragmatic traction, they’re comfortable leading or co-leading and rolling up sleeves on GTM.

12) Alchimia Investments — evergreen venture/family capital

What they do: Early and growth investments across consumer/tech/media; Rome-registered office; portfolio includes Italian scale-ups such as WeRoad and Contents. ([linkedin.com][20])
Rome footprint: Registered office Via Lorenzo il Magnifico 29, 00162 Roma. ([linkedin.com][20])
Why it matters for you: Flexible capital and patient support—useful when you need a long-horizon partner with Italian consumer intuition.

13) Scientifica Venture Capital — deep tech with labs access

What they do: Rome-based firm launching €200M “Scientifica Fund 1 (SF1)” to back future computing, advanced materials, advanced industry, environmental tech; distinctive “Zero CapEx” model via 4,000 m² of proprietary labs and a network of 70 certified labs in Italy. ([TNW | The heart of tech][21])
Rome footprint: HQ + operations in Rome (and L’Aquila); co-investment agreement with Lazio Innova to back Lazio-based ventures. ([Venture Capital Journal][22])
Why it matters for you: If your bottleneck is lab infrastructure and deeptech validation, Scientifica can compress timelines materially.

14) Deep Ocean Capital SGR (Deep Blue Ventures) — industrial deeptech

What they do: VC platform focused on deep tech/industrial innovation (robotics, AI, advanced manufacturing), investing via its Deep Blue Ventures strategy; Rome contact base. ([deepoceancapital.it][23])
Why it matters for you: If you’re building hard-tech with industrial applications, they’re thesis-aligned and networked into Italy’s manufacturing stack.

15) Primo Ventures — Barcamper Ventures Lazio

What they do: Primo runs specialist funds (e.g., space and seed vehicles) and manages the Barcamper programs. In Lazio, the region backed the creation of Barcamper Ventures Lazio, a fund aimed at boosting the local VC pipeline. ([European Commission][24])
Why it matters for you: Strong fit for Lazio startups seeking early institutional support plus programmatic help to get “venture-ready.”

3) Five quick, practical tips to pitch Rome’s investors

Lead with the “Rome advantage.” If you’re in Lazio, highlight talent pipelines (Luiss, Sapienza), proximity to national champions, and eligibility for regional co-investment programs (Innova Venture/Lazio Venture). It signals capital efficiency and policy tailwinds.
Map a corporate path. For sectors like telco, energy, aerospace, or defense, show how a CVC (TIM Ventures, Eni Next, Leonardo) can become a first reference customer or pilot site—not just a shareholder. Spell out a 12- to 18-month collaboration arc (POCs, certifications, integrations).
Use the co-invest stack to close faster. Where suitable, tell your lead VC you plan to activate Lazio’s co-investment channels; it reduces round risk and shows you’re fluent in the local financing architecture.
Show traction that fits the fund. For Zest (acceleration + seed), emphasize speed of learning, customer discovery, and a ruthless roadmap. For national funds (CDP) or thematic CVCs (Angelini, Eni), emphasize regulatory progress, pilots, and scale pathways that align to their mandate.
Make Rome a hub, not a limit. Most Rome investors co-invest with Milan, Turin, and international funds. In your deck, list target co-investors and why your round composition accelerates the company (distribution, deep labs, export channels). It shows you're architecting a syndicate, not hoping one appears.

Final word

If you're building in or around Rome, you've got a dense, active investor base—from the national platform (CDP), to market-leading early-stage (Zest, Pi Campus), to corporate specialists (Angelini, TIM, Eni, Leonardo), and regional programs (Lazio Innova/Barcamper). Use this list to craft a focused pipeline, pick the 10–15 best fits for your stage and sector, and go in with a Rome-savvy story. You're not pitching a city—you're pitching an ecosystem that knows how to scale national technologies into European outcomes.

Additional Resources for Your Fundraising Journey

Essential Fundraising Guides:

Venture Capital Fundraising Data Room Essentials - Complete guide to organizing your data room for VC due diligence
Data Room Best Practices - Professional data room setup and management strategies
Investor Relations Guide - Building and maintaining relationships with VCs

Sector-Specific Investor Lists:

Top AI Investors in 2025 - Leading AI and machine learning focused VCs
Biotech Investors Guide - Healthcare and biotech funding specialists
Fintech Venture Capital - Financial technology investment landscape
Advertising Investors - Marketing and advertising focused funds

Regional Investor Networks:

Switzerland Active Investors - Swiss VC landscape and opportunities
Estonia Venture Capital - Baltic startup ecosystem investors
Norway Active Investors - Nordic funding landscape

Practical Tools & Templates:

Fundraising Templates - Pitch decks, financial models, and due diligence checklists
AI Startup Accelerators - Accelerator programs for AI companies
Data Room Setup Guide - Step-by-step data room organization

Next Steps:

Organize your data room using our comprehensive data room guide
Create your pitch materials with our fundraising templates
Research sector-specific investors using our specialized investor guides
Prepare for due diligence with our VC fundraising essentials

Sources: official firm pages, addresses, and programs were verified as of October 25, 2025; follow the citations embedded above for each investor's Rome presence and current activity.

Impress Investors

Raise in Rome 2025: The 15 VCs You Actually Want on Your Cap Table