Blog written by a great Italian journalist and great woman, Monica D'Ascenzo

Thanks to Monica for taking the time to interview me and publish this nice article.

"In the United States a young man of 20-25 years old think they can change the world. In Italy he thinks he can not do anything exceptional, and points to a permanent job. " Anna Gatti, born in 1972, lives in the States and Italy for work and believes this is the difference between the two countries is most striking. After a degree in Economics and a PhD at Bocconi, Gatti continued research between Trento, Stanford and Berkeley. He initially worked at the World Health Organization, and then became MyQube partners - Telecom Italian Venture Fund and to gain experience in major US technology groups: Google, YouTube and Skype. He sits on the boards of Rai Way, Piquadro and Banzai. Yet if you Google the first article appearing denies his titles. The curriculum is all true?


"Last year, my former partner in Loop Lab AI has filed a complaint contesting my titles. To date, no evidence has been found of what contest. Then her lawyer, her sister, had requested information from the University and the agencies have not given the required information because I had not authorized them to do so. That's it, "says Gatti, adding:" In Raiway, where I sit on the board, there was an internal investigation and have been verified all the titles of my cv. The case was closed there. The Italian press also published the denial to the news after receiving the documentation from my lawyers. "

In Italy is becoming increasingly dynamic world of technology startups, many light years we are still behind compared to Silicon Valley?
In Italy still missing the market of exit to ensure a future and a growing startups. There is definitely a lot of creativity and entrepreneurship, including in a non-optimal context. Investments, however, are unlikely to be appealing. In the US, the investor has an output time horizon of between 5 and 10 years. Here in Italy the risk of not having it. My investments such as business angels, for example, have not had good results.

It lacks a long-term strategy?
In the United States when he founded a startup you have a time horizon of output and aims to be acquired, perhaps by a large industrial group. In Italy the market of mergers and acquisitions (M & A) is not yet sufficiently developed to exploit the new realities.

There are other factors that limit foreign investment in Italy?
The foreign perception is that the labor market is still in a cast. This is combined with the bureaucracy. Foreign institutional investors are not likely to play with cards that do not know.

What did you learn in Google?
It 'was my school ship. I learned that leadership is not recognized by position but based on the competencies and skills are increasingly recognized so much so that even the most junior in the company, if competent, has the right to sit at the high table duty. I learned that failure is a time of growth and that we must begin to act for the role that you want to without waiting to have it (act like a leader before you are one).

In Youtube and Skype?
Sharing, break down barriers. As with Google, even in Youtube there were the events of Friday Tgif (Thanks God is friday) and from 16:30 we find ourselves in a salon to drink and talk and participated in all the founders corporate levels: an important moment of sharing. Skype I learned, however, the phase of corporate restructuring and the fundamental variable of the corporate culture.

A lesson in your head / to not noticing it?
I always had head women and message passing is: a good leader must give the opportunity to those who work with him, but at the same time should give the freedom to choose whether to seize that opportunity. Let others fail is a form of respect. A capable leader, then, if ualcuno stands in the office after hours the must ask yourself a question: or has given a heavy load or is not the right person to fill that role.

Because the commitment chosen Italian board of directors?
It 'an opportunity because it allows me to maintain a strategic vision and to stay in contact with the economy of my country. Also I can transfer what I learn Italian in the US and at the same time I have the opportunity to meet people really valid can compete internationally as a professional.

In what board you wanted to sit?
Google at the time of listing

What you wanted to know in 20 years you've learned at 40?
Have less fear of making mistakes, do not be afraid to change, to dare. Think bigger. And do not wait for others to believe in you, do you believe in yourself first.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself sitting in the board, with increased operating experience. Not to rule out return to venture capital.

What makes you get up in the morning?
The desire to learn and build.

What advice would you give to a young man (woman) who wants to do in your career?
Go abroad, works with women and take parental leave when the time comes.