Growing up in a close-knit Italian community, Francesco's childhood was marked by simple dreams and hard work. He fondly remembers aspiring to ride a Vespa to school, a common ambition for many Italian youths. However, his formative years were also shaped by the realities of his family's livelihood. Francesco spent much of his time helping his father in their food business, moving boxes and selling produce to support the family.
Despite the demands of family responsibilities, Francesco's passion for technology began to emerge. He pursued a degree in Computer Science Engineering at university, laying the foundation for his future career in the tech industry.
From food trucks to tech meetups
Francesco's entrepreneurial spirit manifested early on. While studying in London, he started a side hustle selling vegetables from a food truck, a nod to his roots in the family business. This experience in hustling and connecting with people would prove invaluable in his future endeavours.
Driven by his fascination with quantum computing and deep tech, Francesco founded Silicon Roundabout, a meetup group that began in a London pub. This initiative quickly grew into a vibrant community with over 15000 members becoming a hub for tech enthusiasts, founders, and innovators to share ideas, showcase demos, and discuss cutting-edge technologies like quantum computing.
The birth of a unique VC
In 2022, Francesco took a bold step by launching his own venture capital firm, focusing on the promising yet often overlooked field of deep tech. As a solo general partner (GP), Francesco stands out in the VC landscape, especially given his background. Coming from a region of Italy with little to no history of producing venture capitalists, he represents a new breed of investor in the European tech ecosystem.
Bridging gaps and driving innovation
Francesco's unique perspective allows him to identify opportunities that others might overlook. He's particularly keen on infusing new ideas into the Italian investment scene, where government funding still plays a significant role in backing startups. Francesco aims to encourage family offices to consider the potential of deep tech investments, bridging the gap between traditional funding sources and innovative technologies.
Looking to the future
As Francesco continues to build his VC firm and nurture the deep tech ecosystem in London and beyond, he remains committed to his roots and his vision. His journey from helping in his father's food business to leading a cutting-edge VC firm is a testament to his determination and adaptability.
Francesco Perticarari's story is one of bridging worlds – from small-town Italy to the heart of London's tech scene, from traditional business to quantum computing, and from community building to venture capital. As he navigates the complex world of deep tech investment, Francesco's unique background and perspective continue to shape his approach, making him a truly distinctive voice in the European VC landscape.
Noa Khamallah is General Partner at Don't Quit Ventures.
