The conference is a joint initiative between the Consulate General of Italy and Professionisti Italiani a Boston (PIB). The theme covers the start-up models from Italy and Massachusetts by highlighting two specific aspects of a startup's life cycle: the crucial role of the ecosystem where they evolve and the needs for a clear Exit Strategy.

The discussion provides a comprehensive analysis on the differences, challenges, and advantages of the initiatives adopted in both countries.

FIRST PANEL: we will examine the structures and the conditions of the Ecosystem that help to foster the growth of a young company, involving speakers whose expertise extends from academia to management: Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship and Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management; Marco Cantamessa, Chairman of the Board and CEO of the I3P Technology Incubator and Professor at Politecnico di Torino; and Tim Rowe, founder and CEO of Cambridge Innovation Center.

SECOND PANEL: brings together successful start-up representatives and venture capital investors in order to showcase the key aspects of an Exit Strategy.

Speakers include Andrea Orioli, Co-Founder and VP of Operations of Fluidmesh Networks and CEO of Pantascene; Claudio Giuliano, Founder and Managing Partner of Innogest; and Rich D`Amore, General Partner at North Bridge Venture Partners. The event will be moderated by the italian journalist Maria Teresa Cometto.

The event represents a great opportunity to learn more about the operating scenarios, in short and long term, through some significant experiences and to analyze the approach undertaken by investors and entrepreneurs, on both sides of the Atlantic, in determining their success.

When: Thursday September 18th, 6-9pm (registration opens at 5:45pm).

Where: MIT Sloan, Room E62-276, 100 Main Street, Cambridge, MA

The discussion will be followed by an interactive Q&A Session.

Event sponsored by: Rollo Capital, Goodwin Procter

Event supported by: Bocconi Alumni Association of Boston