From Rome to Silicon Valley: Italian Demo Day 🇮🇹

Meet a new wave of Italian innovators from Lazio Region.
We’ll gather at INNOVIT, the Italian Innovation & Culture Hub in San Francisco, to hear directly from founders working across #LifeSciences, #AI, and #CreativeTech from a Lazio region Initiative.
From new approaches to disease management and non-invasive diagnostics, to AI-powered platforms and cultural experiences, these companies are building solutions that are starting to shape how we engage with health, content, and the world around us.
The program will feature a curated panel, pitches from our cohort of startups and scaleups, and will be followed by an Italian aperitivo designed to spark meaningful conversations and lasting connections.

Agenda
4:30 pm - Registration & Networking
5:00 pm - Welcome Remarks
Alberto Acito, Managing Director at INNOVIT
Massimo Carnelos, Consul General of Italy in San Francisco
Marco Peronaci, Ambassador of Italy to the United States of America
Francesco Rocca, President of the Lazio Region
5:30 pm - Raising Capital in 2026: How VCs Really Decide in 2026
Shilpa Prasad, Head of Incubation (Native AI Ventures), LG NOVA
Vito Giallorenzo, Chief Strategy Officer, Accela
Sabeer Bhatia, Founder, Hotcoin, Co-Founder at ShowReel, Co-Founder of Hotmail
Moderated by Gregory LaBlanc, Distinguished Teaching Fellow, UC Berkeley
6:15 pm - Startup Pitches
Meet the companies shaping the future.
7:15 pm - Closing Remarks
Roberta Angelilli, Vice President and Regional Councillor for Economic Development, Trade, Craftsmanship, Industry, and Internationalization
7:30 pm - INNOVIT Aperitivo
An opportunity to meet the founders, network with our community, and enjoy a taste of Italy in true aperitivo style.