#4 - Corporate Venture Capital & Building w/ Sebastiano Silvestri & Giacomo Manzoni (A2A)

Welcome to the fourth episode of The Corporate Venturing Podcast!Corporate innovation leaders often debate: Should we invest in external startups or build new ventures from within? The answer may be both.In this episode, I sit down with Giacomo Manzoni, Head of Corporate Venture Building, and Sebastiano Silvestri, Head of Corporate Venture Capital at ⁠A2A⁠—Italy’s leading multi-utility company focused on sustainability and energy transition. Together, they share how A2A is harnessing both CVC and CVB to drive long-term innovation and strategic impact.We discuss:Why a2a established both a Corporate Venture Capital and a Corporate Venture Building unit—and how they complement each other.How to structure CVC initiatives to deliver not just financial returns but real industrial synergies.Building new ventures from within: the talent attraction advantage, IP generation, and the role of C-level sponsorship.Metrics that matter: From portfolio performance to internal adoption and cultural shifts.The biggest challenges in setting up CVC/CVB programs—governance, talent, and cultural mindset.Future trends: AI agents, digital twins of innovation teams, and simplifying startup collaboration through agile procurement.Whether you’re launching a CVC fund, building a startup from inside your company, or designing a hybrid innovation strategy—this episode offers an in-depth, practical look into how A2A is doing it all.Resources:• Open Road Ventures• Bundl Venture ClubDon’t forget to follow, rate, and hit the bell button to stay updated on the latest episodes.Stay curious, keep innovating, and we’ll see you next time on The Corporate Venturing Podcast!