Returning to Valtellina, where I was born and raised, was a real homecoming. After so many years spent abroad, there is a strong emotional component to this return. I have been back here for two years now, and I can draw a first balance: on a human and social level, it was a very positive experience. Professionally, however, it was not easy to get used to the Italian business culture again. And this is where my motivation to participate in initiatives like The Liquid Factory comes from.
Having lived in different countries, I have learned to see things in many shades of gray rather than black and white. I like to take the best from each culture: I would never accept an American-style carbonara, but I would gladly take their approach to business! When we talk about Italian business culture, it's not just about local customs. I noticed a general pattern when comparing working in the US vs. working in Italy: a weaker emphasis on organization and processes, which generally translates into more working hours and lower productivity.
Change as a constant
Change is the only permanent thing in my life. It has often been traumatic or exciting, but over time I have learned to appreciate the adrenaline rush it brings. Even if the pace is different in Italy than in Silicon Valley, the spirit remains the same: after doing the same thing three times, I feel suffocated and start looking for new challenges..
The lesson of Silicon Valley
After more than 20 years in Silicon Valley, what I brought back with me to Italy is not only the value of change itself, but the continuous search for new experiences and skills. “Never stopping” mentally is perfectly in tune with the spirit of Silicon Valley, where people set ambitious goals and map out plans to achieve them. Even if you rarely get exactly where you wanted to be, the important thing is to feel at the helm of your life.
Another critical aspect of Silicon Valley I came to appreciate is professional networking. In California, professional connections are the primary tool for getting ahead, developing projects, and getting feedback. There is nothing “gang-like” or opaque about this: it is a reputational system based on meritocracy. We, on the other hand, often tend to confuse connections with friendships and relatives, where meritocracy is not always guaranteed.
The Liquid Factory: the project that dreams big
My involvement in The Liquid Factory stems from a desire to help local companies upgrade their business culture and approach to growth. I want to bring to Italy a bit of that Silicon Valley mentality, where people's ambitions are not limited to becoming the pharmacist or lawyer of their native town but aim for something bigger and try to change the world. Even though we are in Valtellina, we can think big. I want to convey this message: you can have ambitious dreams and achieve extraordinary goals with the right experience and proper community support.
I would like to see at least some of the projects created by The Liquid Factory focused on the mountains, going over the traditional tourist approaches to create new opportunities for those who live here. It would be important to create sectors that encourage people to stay and develop innovative ideas here. However, to be globally competitive, we need to contaminate these ideas with the trends and visions of Silicon Valley and make sure that they are financially sound.
Mentorship and intuition: the ingredients for success
Another key topic for me is mentorship. When I started as a young entrepreneur, I remember struggling to find mentors, perhaps because I often ventured into uncharted territory. However, I have learned how crucial it is to have someone from whom I can receive sincere feedback. I believe that, when looking for a mentor, we don't need to aim for the top in our sector. We can get huge benefits just by talking to someone who has already made some progress in their field.
I believe in intuition. I learned that intuition must be properly trained for most of us. Only experience leads us to develop an innate sense for what works. It is our duty to help young people build their intuition by testing new ideas. I want to give them the opportunities to try, to fail, and to try again so that on the second or third attempt, they can achieve something extraordinary.
In an increasingly globalized world, we must learn to take the best from other cultures. We have to break away from our old legacies. We must find ways to leverage our past, aiming to improve the world around us.
Do you want to be part of this adventure?
The Liquid Factory is looking for young talents and innovative startups ready to dream big. If you, too, want to make a difference, join our Startup Studio and start on your path to success!
