The top 25 Italy venture investors

In recent years, Italy's venture capital landscape has become increasingly competitive, with over 1,000 investors backing equity deals this year alone. This surge in activity has created a highly contested environment where strategic positioning is key for investors to stand out. To differentiate themselves, top firms like CDP Venture Capital are aggressively pursuing deals in high-growth areas such as AI, digital health, and space technology, positioning them to capture outsized returns.

Using CB Insights' Mosaic score and deal data, analysts have compiled a list of the top 25 venture investors in Italy, highlighting those building the strongest foundations for portfolio success. The ranking is based on the strength and performance of their portfolios, with a focus on strategic positioning and deal activity.

CDP Venture Capital emerges as the top-ranked investor, with 139 startup deals since 2023 (as of September 30, 2025). Of these, nearly one-fifth went to AI companies, including AI model compressor Multiverse Computing and processing unit developer Axelera AI. CDP's aggressive pursuit of AI investments underscores its commitment to high-growth sectors, positioning the firm to benefit from the rapidly expanding AI market.

Neva SGR leads in terms of the quality of its recent investments, with an average Mosaic score of 751 out of 1,000 since 2023, higher than any other investor on the list. Top performers in its portfolio include quantum computing software developer Classiq (Mosaic score of 884, also backed by Samsung NEXT and Qualcomm Ventures) and fusion energy company Commonwealth Fusion Systems (Mosaic score of 869, which secured a strategic partnership with Google earlier this year). Neva SGR's focus on cutting-edge technologies with significant potential for growth highlights its strategic acumen in selecting investments.

CDP Venture Capital also shows the best exit track record among the top 25 investors, backing 13 startups since 2018 that went on to exit. The biggest exit of the fund was that of IoT security platform Nozomi Networks, which was acquired by Mitsubishi Electric for $1 billion. This strong exit record demonstrates CDP's ability to identify promising startups and guide them to successful exits, maximizing returns for investors.

The methodology behind the ranking involved reviewing the dealmaking activity of hundreds of Italy investors who fund private-market startups in exchange for equity. Investors were ranked based on the strength and performance of their portfolios, with a focus on strategic positioning and deal activity. CB Insights' Mosaic score, which evaluates the health and growth potential of a company, was used to assess the quality of investments.

Venture firms are encouraged to reach out to analyst@cbinsights.com to ensure their full portfolio is represented in the coverage. By tracking these investors' deals in real time, startups and investors can gain valuable insights into the Italian venture capital market and identify opportunities for collaboration and growth.

In conclusion, the top 25 Italy venture investors are shaping the future of the industry through their strategic positioning in high-growth areas such as AI, digital health, and space technology. With a competitive landscape driving differentiation, firms like CDP Venture Capital and Neva SGR are leading the charge by focusing on cutting-edge technologies and achieving strong portfolio performance. As the Italian venture capital market continues to evolve, these investors will play a crucial role in driving innovation and growth across various sectors.