Launching the
“Italy – US Tech Business & Investment Matching Initiative”
The first day of activities officially launches the program of the same name, aimed at ensuring transatlantic cooperation to support the development of the innovation industry in Italy and its contribution to the world.
Promoted by various institutional and private entities following the conclusions of the Steering Committee for Internationalization, the program is designed to foster connections and collaboration between Italian and U.S. companies, encouraging industrial partnerships and investment flows for mutual growth in strategic sectors such as life sciences, aerospace, and AI in 2025.
Washington, 25/26 October 2024. The Italy – US Tech Business & Investment Matching Initiative has been launched at the Embassy of Italy to the United States in Washington.
On the Italian side, the program is promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, 14 regions of Italy, Confindustria, the Transatlantic Investment Committee (TIC), and the Transatlantic Harmonic Foundation (THF). On the U.S. side, the Department of State, Department of Commerce, organizations representing 18 states of the United States, the Tech Hubs Organization, Select USA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are all involved.
An evolution of the work carried out by the Transatlantic Investment Committee (TIC), with the support of the Transatlantic Harmonic Foundation (THF), the Italy – US Tech Business & Investment Matching Initiative is a system-wide program aimed at ensuring transatlantic cooperation to support the development of Italy’s innovation industry and its contribution worldwide. It takes place alongside the third edition of the THF-TIC US Stakeholders’ Meeting. Through the matching activities facilitated by the public and private entities involved, the Italy – US Tech Business & Investment Matching Initiative aims to foster connections and dialogue between Italian and U.S. institutions and companies, encouraging industrial partnerships and investment flows for mutual growth in strategic sectors, including life sciences and aerospace for 2025, with a particular focus on industrial AI solutions.
Mariangela Zappia, Ambassador of Italy to the United States, stated: “Last year, Italy-U.S. trade exceeded $126 billion; the United States is the main destination for Italy’s foreign direct investments, with over €65 billion in stock reached in 2023, and American investments in Italy have surpassed €20 billion. As these figures show, the United States is by far our primary trading partner outside the EU. Today’s initiative offers a valuable opportunity to strengthen this intense economic and commercial cooperation—which is strategic for Italy—since in many cases, American states and our regions hold the keys to successful collaboration, thanks to their unique expertise, on-the-ground knowledge, and their ability to create networking opportunities.”
Massimiliano Fedriga, President of the Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, commented: “We are pleased to be present at this important event that promotes matchmaking between U.S. and Italian companies with a targeted focus on innovation. This is an area in which Friuli-Venezia Giulia has been classified as a Strong Innovator by the European Union, precisely due to our region’s propensity to foster synergy between the world of scientific research and the business sector.”
As noted by Mauro Battocchi, Director General for Country Promotion, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: “Italy stands out today as one of the leading exporters of goods globally. It boasts the second-largest manufacturing base in Europe. More than half of its exports are related to the mechanical, advanced technology, pharmaceutical, and chemical sectors. Additionally, Italy is one of the European Union countries that has recorded the fastest GDP growth in the post-pandemic period. These figures highlight a strong potential to drive mutual investments between Italy and the United States. A key example of collaboration is the biotech sector, where strategic alliances can be developed in both research and development and bilateral investments. Such cooperation can build on the already solid relations between the two countries, established over the decades, including in the areas of national security and defense. We operate as “Sistema Italia,” in synergy with public and private partners, to fully leverage these opportunities and promote even closer collaboration between Italy and the United States.”
According to Amedeo Teti, Head of the Department for Business Policies at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy: “Italy and the U.S. are strategic partners. Currently, there are 3,247 U.S.-owned companies in Italy, employing 399,652 workers and generating revenues of over €199.2 billion. We believe that collaboration between the institutions and companies of the two countries is key to creating a common innovation ecosystem that can leverage skills and resources in key sectors such as aerospace and life sciences. The choice of a local-to-local approach allows us to capitalize on the wealth and specialization of regional ecosystems. We intend to maintain bilateral collaboration in the coming months, and we are confident that strengthening the industrial partnership between Italy and the United States will further increase investments in our country.”
