In Florence, investors and businesses discuss the strategic role of capital in economic growth
On 20 October at Firenze Fiera, a new stop on the roadshow dedicated to the value of private equity for the development of businesses and local areas
Florence is hosting the fourth leg of the Private Equity Days, the roadshow dedicated to the role of venture capital in the growth of Italian businesses. The event, entitled “Investors and businesses: the strategic role of capital in the growth of the Italian economy”, will take place on 20 October 2026 from 4.00 pm to 6.30 pm at Firenze Fiera, Palazzo degli Affari, and will bring together investors, entrepreneurs, managers and experts to discuss the opportunities offered by private equity in supporting innovation, competitiveness and the internationalisation of the business sector.
The Tuscan leg takes on particular significance in a region that is one of the country’s main economic drivers. As the cultural and economic heart of the region, Florence is the hub of an entrepreneurial ecosystem that includes leading companies in the fashion and luxury, engineering, pharmaceutical, agri-food and tourism sectors. In this context, private capital can play a decisive role in supporting businesses on their development journeys, facilitating access to new financial resources, managerial expertise and opportunities for growth in international markets.
The initiative was launched with the aim of exploring the contribution that private equity can make to Italian companies at a time characterised by profound economic and geopolitical changes. Innovation, sustainability, generational transitions, industrial consolidation and opening up to global markets all require tools and expertise capable of sustaining businesses’ competitiveness in the long term. The dialogue between investors and entrepreneurs therefore provides an opportunity to share experiences, strategies and development models capable of generating value for businesses and the local area.
The proceedings will be opened by Francesca Marzi, Vice-President of Confindustria Toscana Centro e Costa with responsibility for Credit, Finance and Taxation, who will deliver an institutional address. This will be followed by a market analysis presented by Alessandro Zanca, Partner at KPMG, focusing on the key trends currently shaping the market and investment landscape.
The programme will then get into full swing with a discussion on new international challenges and the role of funds in supporting business growth, featuring Paolo Marcucci, Chairman of Kedrion, in conversation with Carlo Festa, a journalist at *Il Sole 24 Ore*. This will be followed by a panel discussion on the role of venture capital in growth processes and expansion into global markets, bringing together Alessio Candi, Partner at Made in Italy Fund and Made in Italy Fund II Quadrivio, Elisa Ielpo, Counsel, Corporate Transactions & Advisory at Clifford Chance, Massimo Mauri, Chief Executive Officer of Seco, and Fausto Rinallo, Chief Executive Officer of Ethica Group.
