Maritime Ventures launched in Genoa
Maritime Ventures launched in Genoa
September 15, 2025
Genoa, 15 September 2024 – “Maritime Ventures” was officially presented today at the Genova Blue District. The initiative is a dedicated venture builder focused on the maritime and port-logistics value chains, promoted by CDP Venture Capital in coordination with the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
The project has led to the establishment of a special-purpose company entirely dedicated to building and launching new entrepreneurial initiatives. These ventures will develop products and services aimed at accelerating the digital transformation and innovation of SMEs operating in the maritime and port-logistics sectors.
Maritime Ventures aims to create 10 new companies over the next three years, addressing the growing digitalization needs of SMEs active in shipbuilding, recreational boating, cruise industry, and port logistics. These startups will be eligible for follow-on equity investments from CDP Venture Capital’s Boost Innovation Fund, with an expected allocation of approximately €30 million. This is expected to generate a total investment impact of up to €70 million.
Maritime Ventures will operate through two permanent locations: Genoa, hosted at the Genova Blue District with the support of the Municipality of Genoa, and Trieste, supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.
The initiative is promoted by CDP Venture Capital and involves leading investors and partners including Bridgemaker, Cariplo Factory, Fincantieri, PSA Italy, Intesa Sanpaolo Group, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Friulia, and Confindustria Genova.
Intesa Sanpaolo Group will also contribute through advisory support from Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, fostering connections between the project and the SME ecosystem across the involved value chains.
The launch event featured a video message from the Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, as well as speeches by the Mayor of Genoa and the Regional Councillor for Economic Development of Liguria. Contributions followed from Agostino Scornajenchi (CEO and General Manager of CDP Venture Capital), Lorenzo Franchini (Head of the Boost Innovation Fund), Pierroberto Folgiero (CEO of Fincantieri), and Roberto Ferrari (CEO of PSA Italy).
The event concluded with a roundtable discussion on innovation and industrial competitiveness, and closing remarks by Enrico Noseda, CEO of Maritime Ventures and Chief Innovation Officer of Cariplo Factory.
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Maritime Ventures is an initiative promoted by CDP Venture Capital together with leading financial, industrial, and institutional partners within the Italian innovation ecosystem. Its mission is to accelerate the digital transformation of the maritime and port-logistics sectors by creating 10 new companies over three years, targeting total investments of approximately €70 million.
Genoa, 15 September 2024 – “Maritime Ventures” was officially presented today at the Genova Blue District. The initiative is a dedicated venture builder focused on the maritime and port-logistics value chains, promoted by CDP Venture Capital in coordination with the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
The project has led to the establishment of a special-purpose company entirely dedicated to building and launching new entrepreneurial initiatives. These ventures will develop products and services aimed at accelerating the digital transformation and innovation of SMEs operating in the maritime and port-logistics sectors.
Maritime Ventures aims to create 10 new companies over the next three years, addressing the growing digitalization needs of SMEs active in shipbuilding, recreational boating, cruise industry, and port logistics. These startups will be eligible for follow-on equity investments from CDP Venture Capital’s Boost Innovation Fund, with an expected allocation of approximately €30 million. This is expected to generate a total investment impact of up to €70 million.
Maritime Ventures will operate through two permanent locations: Genoa, hosted at the Genova Blue District with the support of the Municipality of Genoa, and Trieste, supported by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.
The initiative is promoted by CDP Venture Capital and involves leading investors and partners including Bridgemaker, Cariplo Factory, Fincantieri, PSA Italy, Intesa Sanpaolo Group, Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Friulia, and Confindustria Genova.
Intesa Sanpaolo Group will also contribute through advisory support from Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, fostering connections between the project and the SME ecosystem across the involved value chains.
The launch event featured a video message from the Italian Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, as well as speeches by the Mayor of Genoa and the Regional Councillor for Economic Development of Liguria. Contributions followed from Agostino Scornajenchi (CEO and General Manager of CDP Venture Capital), Lorenzo Franchini (Head of the Boost Innovation Fund), Pierroberto Folgiero (CEO of Fincantieri), and Roberto Ferrari (CEO of PSA Italy).
The event concluded with a roundtable discussion on innovation and industrial competitiveness, and closing remarks by Enrico Noseda, CEO of Maritime Ventures and Chief Innovation Officer of Cariplo Factory.
***
Maritime Ventures is an initiative promoted by CDP Venture Capital together with leading financial, industrial, and institutional partners within the Italian innovation ecosystem. Its mission is to accelerate the digital transformation of the maritime and port-logistics sectors by creating 10 new companies over three years, targeting total investments of approximately €70 million.
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