

2025
2025
Young Guns
YOUNG GUNS: REDEFINING EARLY-STAGE VC IN EUROPE
Curated by Inés Makula for Rancilio Cube, Young Guns was more than an event — it was a statement. Held in La Cantalupa, it brought together Europe’s most dynamic emerging fund managers and institutional investors for a focused conversation on the future of venture capital.
Across one day of panels, strategic dialogues, and real connections, the mission was clear: elevate the next generation of European fund builders and challenge the legacy models holding them back.
THE VISION BEHIND YOUNG GUNS
At Rancilio Cube, we see emerging managers as the real edge in early-stage investing.
They’re nimble. Focused. Willing to experiment with structure and vision. And across Europe, they’re gaining momentum — launching solo-GP platforms, backing biotech breakthroughs, and building funds rooted in deep regional expertise.
Young Guns was created to support these managers — not just with capital, but with conversation, community, and long-term strategic alignment.
PANEL 1: EUROPEAN VC TODAY - BEYOND THE ATLANTIC MIRROR
The first panel asked a tough but essential question:
Can European VC define its own identity, rather than chasing the Silicon Valley playbook?
Rancilio Cube team members and close advisors — including Guzel Gumerova, Andrea Gennarini, Massimo Ruffoni, and Ash Fontana — shared thoughts on:
LP-GP dynamics in a post-2022 world
The need for transparent fund structures
Building long-term trust over short-term incentives
Our no-carry model, rooted in full alignment
There’s growing conviction that Europe needs to double down on clarity, discipline, and values-driven structures if it wants to lead in the next venture cycle.


PANEL 2: EMERGING MANAGERS - EDGE AMBITIONS AND FUND DESIGN
In the second panel, the spotlight shifted to the fund managers themselves.
These were not legacy firms — they were first- and second-time GPs building from the ground up, often with lean teams and sharp strategies.
They discussed:
What “edge” looks like in 2025
Building institutional credibility without a long track record
How solo and micro funds can punch above their weight
The trade-offs between specialization and scale
Speakers included Jone Vaitulevicute, Kevin Costa, Gideon Valkin, Antoine Boulanger, Philipp Mohering and Anthony Hayhoe. Each of them was able to offer a different angle, but all showing the same hunger to break out of traditional molds.


A PLATFORM FOR REAL CONVERSATIONS
Young Guns wasn’t just about content. It was about connection.
Between the panels, there were breakout sessions, informal LP-GP meetings, and side conversations that sparked real momentum. Early signs of capital commitments and new relationships are already beginning to take shape.
We saw that when you create the right environment — curated, focused, and honest — things move.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
We left Young Guns more convinced than ever: the future of VC in Europe isn’t about replicating what worked in the past. It’s about backing those who are building new models with intention and grit.
Emerging managers are where the innovation is. And Europe’s competitive advantage lies in supporting them with the right capital, the right structures, and the right platforms.
This event marked the beginning of a broader commitment by Rancilio Cube to:
Support early-stage European GPs with capital and strategic resources
Build bridges between institutional LPs and the emerging manager class
Create shared infrastructure for fund ops, value creation, and LP engagement


JUST THE BEGINNING
Young Guns wasn’t just a one-off — it was a preview of what’s to come.
We’re already working on new formats to deepen these conversations, from LP-GP salons to shared resource hubs and possibly a dedicated emerging manager program.
WE BELIEVE EUROPE IS READY TO LEAD IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF GLOBAL VENTURE
Other events


2025
Young Guns
YOUNG GUNS: REDEFINING EARLY-STAGE VC IN EUROPE
Curated by Inés Makula for Rancilio Cube, Young Guns was more than an event — it was a statement. Held in La Cantalupa, it brought together Europe’s most dynamic emerging fund managers and institutional investors for a focused conversation on the future of venture capital.
Across one day of panels, strategic dialogues, and real connections, the mission was clear: elevate the next generation of European fund builders and challenge the legacy models holding them back.
THE VISION BEHIND YOUNG GUNS
At Rancilio Cube, we see emerging managers as the real edge in early-stage investing.
They’re nimble. Focused. Willing to experiment with structure and vision. And across Europe, they’re gaining momentum — launching solo-GP platforms, backing biotech breakthroughs, and building funds rooted in deep regional expertise.
Young Guns was created to support these managers — not just with capital, but with conversation, community, and long-term strategic alignment.
PANEL 1: EUROPEAN VC TODAY - BEYOND THE ATLANTIC MIRROR
The first panel asked a tough but essential question:
Can European VC define its own identity, rather than chasing the Silicon Valley playbook?
Rancilio Cube team members and close advisors — including Guzel Gumerova, Andrea Gennarini, Massimo Ruffoni, and Ash Fontana — shared thoughts on:
LP-GP dynamics in a post-2022 world
The need for transparent fund structures
Building long-term trust over short-term incentives
Our no-carry model, rooted in full alignment
There’s growing conviction that Europe needs to double down on clarity, discipline, and values-driven structures if it wants to lead in the next venture cycle.

PANEL 2: EMERGING MANAGERS - EDGE AMBITIONS AND FUND DESIGN
In the second panel, the spotlight shifted to the fund managers themselves.
These were not legacy firms — they were first- and second-time GPs building from the ground up, often with lean teams and sharp strategies.
They discussed:
What “edge” looks like in 2025
Building institutional credibility without a long track record
How solo and micro funds can punch above their weight
The trade-offs between specialization and scale
Speakers included Jone Vaitulevicute, Kevin Costa, Gideon Valkin, Antoine Boulanger, Philipp Mohering and Anthony Hayhoe. Each of them was able to offer a different angle, but all showing the same hunger to break out of traditional molds.

A PLATFORM FOR REAL CONVERSATIONS
Young Guns wasn’t just about content. It was about connection.
Between the panels, there were breakout sessions, informal LP-GP meetings, and side conversations that sparked real momentum. Early signs of capital commitments and new relationships are already beginning to take shape.
We saw that when you create the right environment — curated, focused, and honest — things move.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
We left Young Guns more convinced than ever: the future of VC in Europe isn’t about replicating what worked in the past. It’s about backing those who are building new models with intention and grit.
Emerging managers are where the innovation is. And Europe’s competitive advantage lies in supporting them with the right capital, the right structures, and the right platforms.
This event marked the beginning of a broader commitment by Rancilio Cube to:
Support early-stage European GPs with capital and strategic resources
Build bridges between institutional LPs and the emerging manager class
Create shared infrastructure for fund ops, value creation, and LP engagement

JUST THE BEGINNING
Young Guns wasn’t just a one-off — it was a preview of what’s to come.
We’re already working on new formats to deepen these conversations, from LP-GP salons to shared resource hubs and possibly a dedicated emerging manager program.
WE BELIEVE EUROPE IS READY TO LEAD IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF GLOBAL VENTURE
Other events


2025
Young Guns
YOUNG GUNS: REDEFINING EARLY-STAGE VC IN EUROPE
Curated by Inés Makula for Rancilio Cube, Young Guns was more than an event — it was a statement. Held in La Cantalupa, it brought together Europe’s most dynamic emerging fund managers and institutional investors for a focused conversation on the future of venture capital.
Across one day of panels, strategic dialogues, and real connections, the mission was clear: elevate the next generation of European fund builders and challenge the legacy models holding them back.
THE VISION BEHIND YOUNG GUNS
At Rancilio Cube, we see emerging managers as the real edge in early-stage investing.
They’re nimble. Focused. Willing to experiment with structure and vision. And across Europe, they’re gaining momentum — launching solo-GP platforms, backing biotech breakthroughs, and building funds rooted in deep regional expertise.
Young Guns was created to support these managers — not just with capital, but with conversation, community, and long-term strategic alignment.
PANEL 1: EUROPEAN VC TODAY - BEYOND THE ATLANTIC MIRROR
The first panel asked a tough but essential question:
Can European VC define its own identity, rather than chasing the Silicon Valley playbook?
Rancilio Cube team members and close advisors — including Guzel Gumerova, Andrea Gennarini, Massimo Ruffoni, and Ash Fontana — shared thoughts on:
LP-GP dynamics in a post-2022 world
The need for transparent fund structures
Building long-term trust over short-term incentives
Our no-carry model, rooted in full alignment
There’s growing conviction that Europe needs to double down on clarity, discipline, and values-driven structures if it wants to lead in the next venture cycle.

PANEL 2: EMERGING MANAGERS - EDGE AMBITIONS AND FUND DESIGN
In the second panel, the spotlight shifted to the fund managers themselves.
These were not legacy firms — they were first- and second-time GPs building from the ground up, often with lean teams and sharp strategies.
They discussed:
What “edge” looks like in 2025
Building institutional credibility without a long track record
How solo and micro funds can punch above their weight
The trade-offs between specialization and scale
Speakers included Jone Vaitulevicute, Kevin Costa, Gideon Valkin, Antoine Boulanger, Philipp Mohering and Anthony Hayhoe. Each of them was able to offer a different angle, but all showing the same hunger to break out of traditional molds.

A PLATFORM FOR REAL CONVERSATIONS
Young Guns wasn’t just about content. It was about connection.
Between the panels, there were breakout sessions, informal LP-GP meetings, and side conversations that sparked real momentum. Early signs of capital commitments and new relationships are already beginning to take shape.
We saw that when you create the right environment — curated, focused, and honest — things move.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED
We left Young Guns more convinced than ever: the future of VC in Europe isn’t about replicating what worked in the past. It’s about backing those who are building new models with intention and grit.
Emerging managers are where the innovation is. And Europe’s competitive advantage lies in supporting them with the right capital, the right structures, and the right platforms.
This event marked the beginning of a broader commitment by Rancilio Cube to:
Support early-stage European GPs with capital and strategic resources
Build bridges between institutional LPs and the emerging manager class
Create shared infrastructure for fund ops, value creation, and LP engagement

JUST THE BEGINNING
Young Guns wasn’t just a one-off — it was a preview of what’s to come.
We’re already working on new formats to deepen these conversations, from LP-GP salons to shared resource hubs and possibly a dedicated emerging manager program.
WE BELIEVE EUROPE IS READY TO LEAD IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF GLOBAL VENTURE