Giuseppe Lacerenza

Overview

Giuseppe Lacerenza is an Italian angel investor specializing in technology and fintech startups. He has built a portfolio of over thirty startups across Italy and international markets since 2017. His approach to investing goes beyond providing capital; he focuses on creating bridges between ecosystems, cultures, and opportunities. Notable Italian companies he has supported include JetHR, Sibill, Qomodo, and Zefi.AI, while his international investments encompass Solvimon, Roundtable, Hale, and Nothing, the Swedish unicorn redefining the smartphone industry. In 2024, he initiated the fundraising for a €125 million fund dedicated to defense and security sectors, aiming to strengthen European industrial sovereignty. This initiative underscores his commitment to advancing Europe's technological autonomy and strategic independence. His international vision, courage to invest in Italian talents worldwide, and ability to build connections between global ecosystems have been recognized with the Special Award for Best International Angel Investing Activity. Prior to his investment career, Lacerenza worked at McKinsey & Company, advising clients in defense, financial services, and digital transformation. He later led the Venture Team at Slimmer AI, a venture studio focused on AI-driven companies, where he invested in Sentinels, Biller, Hadrian, and Vesper. A serial entrepreneur, he has also founded two startups in travel tech and is an active angel investor, building a portfolio of 19 companies across various sectors. He holds a BSc and MSc in Electronic Engineering from Politecnico di Milano and an MBA from INSEAD. Lacerenza's investment philosophy centers on fostering innovation and technological advancement, particularly in sectors critical to Europe's future. His focus on defense technology and dual-use applications reflects a strategic approach to addressing both commercial and security needs. By bridging the gap between private capital and defense innovation, he aims to enhance Europe's technological sovereignty and global competitiveness. His work exemplifies a commitment to leveraging technology for economic and strategic autonomy, positioning him as a key figure in the European venture capital landscape.