Massimo Carnelos, the new Consul General of Italy in San Francisco, has a long diplomatic career beginning in 2001. With significant experiences in New Zealand, Cyprus, Baghdad and London, he was also head of the Economic Office of the Embassy of Italy in the UK and a member of the European Bank’s Directorate for Reconstruction and Development. In recent years, in Rome, he founded and led the unity for technological innovation and start-ups, an experience that naturally led him to the Bay Area, the world heart of technology. We met him to talk about his vision, the opportunities for Italy and the challenges of his mandate.
Consul Carnelos, tell us your route to San Francisco? I’ve been in diplomacy since 2001, and I’ve been in different positions: Deputy Head of Mission in New Zealand, Cyprus and Baghdad, then head of the Economic Office in London and member of the EBRD. In the last two years in Rome I had the honour to create from scratch the unit dedicated to technological innovation and start-up. It was an exciting job, which made my transfer to San Francisco natural, where innovation and technology are at the heart of economic and social life.
How did you experience the arrival in San Francisco and the meeting with the Italian community? It was surprising and engaging. I discovered a deep link between this city and Italy: an ancient migratory flow, which left strong traces in California’s history and development. But there are also many young Italians who arrive today, ready to launch in enterprises, universities and research. A living, precious community, which is an honor to represent.
You are considered an innovation expert: what role can Italy play in Silicon Valley? An increasingly important role. Italy is not only fashion, design and kitchen: it is also advanced research, robotics, biotech, life science, quantum technologies and energy. We feel more and more that we are a country of innovators. Our venture capital ecosystem and the number of start-ups grow year after year, and I see a new generation of brilliant Italian entrepreneurs, with ideas and courage to risk.
What opportunities do Italian start-ups open here? And what advice would you give young entrepreneurs? Coming to Silicon Valley is like an amazing footballer playing in the Champions League. Here the ecosystem is ahead decades compared to most of the world, and for an Italian start-up it means immersing yourself in a fast, competitive, dynamic reality. This is not just about skills – that our engineers have hereme – but mindset. My advice is: come here with openness, insight and, if possible, with a scale-up already structured. The initial stages, pre-seed or seed, should be developed in Italy. Here you have to get prepared, ready to measure with the best.
What are your long-term goals as a General Console? I’ll give you two. First: drastically reduce waiting times for consular services – passports, civil acts and notaries, identity cards. We are increasing staff and we will soon restructure the offices to expand the doors. Second: to encourage the inclusion of Italian companies in large American companies, especially technological ones. With Innovit we want to accompany our start-ups towards global growth.
Its constituency is vast: from Alaska to Hawaii. Did you pack down jackets and costumes? I brought both of you, and the muta! I love the sea and here water is much colder than in Italy.
And as a fan, can you follow the games? Yes, I follow Rome as far as possible from here.
L’articolo Massimo Carnelos: a new bridge between Italy and Silicon Valley comes from IlNewyorkese.
