2025
2025
SAM! Searching in America Austin Trip
Rancilio Cube trip to Austin, which took place from March 21 to 31 2025, had a clear purpose: to assess whether the city — once seen as an alternative to Silicon Valley and now a full-fledged competitor — could serve as a strategic platform for our future investments.
The mission, internally dubbed “SAM in Austin” was the result of months of careful preparation. It combined quantitative analysis, the support of our U.S. network, direct scouting, and an intense week of meetings, site visits, and strategic connections.
WHY AUSTIN?
For us at Rancilio Cube — who see the world of venture capital as a constantly evolving map — Austin represents much more: it is now one of the most dynamic, ambitious, and well-structured hubs of global innovation.
Austin isn’t trying to be the next Silicon Valley — it’s carving out its own path. What makes the city stand out is its unique balance: a nimble ecosystem where tech, creativity, academia, and industry don’t just coexist — they collaborate. It’s a place where innovation feels grounded, yet ambitious.
PREPARATION AND SCOUTING
The groundwork for the mission began early in 2025 with a structured effort to identify and map VC funds active in Austin.
Using PitchBook data and input from trusted contacts in the U.S. — including Marvin Liao, Scott Hartley, Suraj Mehta, and Finn Murphy — we mapped over 60 funds. Further support came from portfolio partners and local advisors like Vivek Sodera and Nicholas Mider, KdT Ventures e Pelion.
We built a curated list of targets, grouped by sector specialization: Biotech, SaaS, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Our goal was not just to meet local players, but to understand how they operate, why they chose Austin, and what kind of relationship they could build with a European investor.
10 DAYS AT FULL SPEED:
Once in Austin, we launched into an intense week of meetings, networking, and strategic visits. Highlights included a casual Happy Cube Hour at the Proper Hotel with 19 VC professionals and a more focused dinner at Hotel Saint Cecilia with 12 fund managers.
In 10 days, we:
Mapped 63 local funds
Held 37 one-on-one meetings, that were not just informational, but mutual trust
Had 18 deep dives with vertical specialists in biotech, SaaS, and advanced manufacturing
Made iconic experiences and visited extraordinary sites in Austin
Built a concrete pipeline, including a first allocation made shortly after returning
THE TRIP INCLUDED:
Attendance at the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, featuring premium hospitality with Ducati;
The Austin Rodeo: a full immersion into Texan culture, a vibrant symbol of identity and community, where Texas revealed its true character: grounded, proud, and open to the world.
Visit to the Tesla Giga Factory, where we were struck by the seamless integration of robotics, logistics, and industrial design and a powerful combination of vision and execution speed;
On March 25th at the Proper Hotel in Austin, Rancilio Cube hosted an exclusive happy hour with Vivek Sodera, bringing together a select group of top investors, founders, and operators from the local startup scene for meaningful connections and conversations. Furthermore, the event fostered an intimate setting that encouraged authentic exchanges and lasting relationships.
Happy hour on March 25th at the Proper Hotel in Austin, hosted with Vivek Sodera, brought together a curated mix of top investors, founders, and operators from the local startup scene in an intimate setting that fostered authentic exchanges, meaningful connections, and the foundation for lasting relationships.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
Just a few weeks after our mission, we formalized our first investment in the region — a strategic move that reflects perfect alignment with our values: founder-first, deeply engaged, and focused on markets with high barriers to entry like energy, defense, and AI. This was more than a deal — it was the first step in a broader positioning strategy that will see us partner with a curated selection of funds across the U.S. Southwest.
SAM in Austin was not just an exploratory trip; it was a turning point for our vision — to shape an Italian home of international venture capital, capable of engaging on equal footing with the world’s most visionary players. We came to see Texas not simply as a destination, but as a bridge: between Europe and the U.S., science and industry, the local and the global.
Next, we’ll deepen the relationships we’ve started, explore new thematic allocations, and work to build permanent channels between Austin and our European ecosystem. We're also evaluating the launch of a founder-in-residence program for Italian entrepreneurs in Austin, as well as the creation of cross-border VC initiatives.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS
We left Austin with one clear conviction: this ecosystem has a strength of its own — independent, original, and unapologetically bold. The local culture is rooted in respect, ambition, openness, and execution. And the motto “Don’t Mess with Texas” means more than meets the eye: it’s not about exclusion, but identity. An identity that now drives innovation, investment, and global relevance.
SAM in Austin was just the beginning. The bridge is open — and we’re ready to cross it.
Other events
2025
SAM! Searching in America Austin Trip
Rancilio Cube trip to Austin, which took place from March 21 to 31 2025, had a clear purpose: to assess whether the city — once seen as an alternative to Silicon Valley and now a full-fledged competitor — could serve as a strategic platform for our future investments.
The mission, internally dubbed “SAM in Austin” was the result of months of careful preparation. It combined quantitative analysis, the support of our U.S. network, direct scouting, and an intense week of meetings, site visits, and strategic connections.
WHY AUSTIN?
For us at Rancilio Cube — who see the world of venture capital as a constantly evolving map — Austin represents much more: it is now one of the most dynamic, ambitious, and well-structured hubs of global innovation.
Austin isn’t trying to be the next Silicon Valley — it’s carving out its own path. What makes the city stand out is its unique balance: a nimble ecosystem where tech, creativity, academia, and industry don’t just coexist — they collaborate. It’s a place where innovation feels grounded, yet ambitious.
PREPARATION AND SCOUTING
The groundwork for the mission began early in 2025 with a structured effort to identify and map VC funds active in Austin.
Using PitchBook data and input from trusted contacts in the U.S. — including Marvin Liao, Scott Hartley, Suraj Mehta, and Finn Murphy — we mapped over 60 funds. Further support came from portfolio partners and local advisors like Vivek Sodera and Nicholas Mider, KdT Ventures e Pelion.
We built a curated list of targets, grouped by sector specialization: Biotech, SaaS, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Our goal was not just to meet local players, but to understand how they operate, why they chose Austin, and what kind of relationship they could build with a European investor.
10 DAYS AT FULL SPEED:
Once in Austin, we launched into an intense week of meetings, networking, and strategic visits. Highlights included a casual Happy Cube Hour at the Proper Hotel with 19 VC professionals and a more focused dinner at Hotel Saint Cecilia with 12 fund managers.
In 10 days, we:
Mapped 63 local funds
Held 37 one-on-one meetings, that were not just informational, but mutual trust
Had 18 deep dives with vertical specialists in biotech, SaaS, and advanced manufacturing
Made iconic experiences and visited extraordinary sites in Austin
Built a concrete pipeline, including a first allocation made shortly after returning
THE TRIP INCLUDED:
Attendance at the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, featuring premium hospitality with Ducati;
The Austin Rodeo: a full immersion into Texan culture, a vibrant symbol of identity and community, where Texas revealed its true character: grounded, proud, and open to the world.
Visit to the Tesla Giga Factory, where we were struck by the seamless integration of robotics, logistics, and industrial design and a powerful combination of vision and execution speed;
On March 25th at the Proper Hotel in Austin, Rancilio Cube hosted an exclusive happy hour with Vivek Sodera, bringing together a select group of top investors, founders, and operators from the local startup scene for meaningful connections and conversations. Furthermore, the event fostered an intimate setting that encouraged authentic exchanges and lasting relationships.
Happy hour on March 25th at the Proper Hotel in Austin, hosted with Vivek Sodera, brought together a curated mix of top investors, founders, and operators from the local startup scene in an intimate setting that fostered authentic exchanges, meaningful connections, and the foundation for lasting relationships.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
Just a few weeks after our mission, we formalized our first investment in the region — a strategic move that reflects perfect alignment with our values: founder-first, deeply engaged, and focused on markets with high barriers to entry like energy, defense, and AI. This was more than a deal — it was the first step in a broader positioning strategy that will see us partner with a curated selection of funds across the U.S. Southwest.
SAM in Austin was not just an exploratory trip; it was a turning point for our vision — to shape an Italian home of international venture capital, capable of engaging on equal footing with the world’s most visionary players. We came to see Texas not simply as a destination, but as a bridge: between Europe and the U.S., science and industry, the local and the global.
Next, we’ll deepen the relationships we’ve started, explore new thematic allocations, and work to build permanent channels between Austin and our European ecosystem. We're also evaluating the launch of a founder-in-residence program for Italian entrepreneurs in Austin, as well as the creation of cross-border VC initiatives.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS
We left Austin with one clear conviction: this ecosystem has a strength of its own — independent, original, and unapologetically bold. The local culture is rooted in respect, ambition, openness, and execution. And the motto “Don’t Mess with Texas” means more than meets the eye: it’s not about exclusion, but identity. An identity that now drives innovation, investment, and global relevance.
SAM in Austin was just the beginning. The bridge is open — and we’re ready to cross it.
2025
SAM! Searching in America Austin Trip
Rancilio Cube trip to Austin, which took place from March 21 to 31 2025, had a clear purpose: to assess whether the city — once seen as an alternative to Silicon Valley and now a full-fledged competitor — could serve as a strategic platform for our future investments.
The mission, internally dubbed “SAM in Austin” was the result of months of careful preparation. It combined quantitative analysis, the support of our U.S. network, direct scouting, and an intense week of meetings, site visits, and strategic connections.
WHY AUSTIN?
For us at Rancilio Cube — who see the world of venture capital as a constantly evolving map — Austin represents much more: it is now one of the most dynamic, ambitious, and well-structured hubs of global innovation.
Austin isn’t trying to be the next Silicon Valley — it’s carving out its own path. What makes the city stand out is its unique balance: a nimble ecosystem where tech, creativity, academia, and industry don’t just coexist — they collaborate. It’s a place where innovation feels grounded, yet ambitious.
PREPARATION AND SCOUTING
The groundwork for the mission began early in 2025 with a structured effort to identify and map VC funds active in Austin.
Using PitchBook data and input from trusted contacts in the U.S. — including Marvin Liao, Scott Hartley, Suraj Mehta, and Finn Murphy — we mapped over 60 funds. Further support came from portfolio partners and local advisors like Vivek Sodera and Nicholas Mider, KdT Ventures e Pelion.
We built a curated list of targets, grouped by sector specialization: Biotech, SaaS, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Our goal was not just to meet local players, but to understand how they operate, why they chose Austin, and what kind of relationship they could build with a European investor.
10 DAYS AT FULL SPEED:
Once in Austin, we launched into an intense week of meetings, networking, and strategic visits. Highlights included a casual Happy Cube Hour at the Proper Hotel with 19 VC professionals and a more focused dinner at Hotel Saint Cecilia with 12 fund managers.
In 10 days, we:
Mapped 63 local funds
Held 37 one-on-one meetings, that were not just informational, but mutual trust
Had 18 deep dives with vertical specialists in biotech, SaaS, and advanced manufacturing
Made iconic experiences and visited extraordinary sites in Austin
Built a concrete pipeline, including a first allocation made shortly after returning
THE TRIP INCLUDED:
Attendance at the MotoGP Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, featuring premium hospitality with Ducati;
The Austin Rodeo: a full immersion into Texan culture, a vibrant symbol of identity and community, where Texas revealed its true character: grounded, proud, and open to the world.
Visit to the Tesla Giga Factory, where we were struck by the seamless integration of robotics, logistics, and industrial design and a powerful combination of vision and execution speed;
On March 25th at the Proper Hotel in Austin, Rancilio Cube hosted an exclusive happy hour with Vivek Sodera, bringing together a select group of top investors, founders, and operators from the local startup scene for meaningful connections and conversations. Furthermore, the event fostered an intimate setting that encouraged authentic exchanges and lasting relationships.
Happy hour on March 25th at the Proper Hotel in Austin, hosted with Vivek Sodera, brought together a curated mix of top investors, founders, and operators from the local startup scene in an intimate setting that fostered authentic exchanges, meaningful connections, and the foundation for lasting relationships.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
Just a few weeks after our mission, we formalized our first investment in the region — a strategic move that reflects perfect alignment with our values: founder-first, deeply engaged, and focused on markets with high barriers to entry like energy, defense, and AI. This was more than a deal — it was the first step in a broader positioning strategy that will see us partner with a curated selection of funds across the U.S. Southwest.
SAM in Austin was not just an exploratory trip; it was a turning point for our vision — to shape an Italian home of international venture capital, capable of engaging on equal footing with the world’s most visionary players. We came to see Texas not simply as a destination, but as a bridge: between Europe and the U.S., science and industry, the local and the global.
Next, we’ll deepen the relationships we’ve started, explore new thematic allocations, and work to build permanent channels between Austin and our European ecosystem. We're also evaluating the launch of a founder-in-residence program for Italian entrepreneurs in Austin, as well as the creation of cross-border VC initiatives.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS
We left Austin with one clear conviction: this ecosystem has a strength of its own — independent, original, and unapologetically bold. The local culture is rooted in respect, ambition, openness, and execution. And the motto “Don’t Mess with Texas” means more than meets the eye: it’s not about exclusion, but identity. An identity that now drives innovation, investment, and global relevance.
SAM in Austin was just the beginning. The bridge is open — and we’re ready to cross it.