Bending Spoons’ Luca Ferrari: Capital is no longer Europe’s big barrier
Three European founders who were told to move to Silicon Valley stayed put. In Turin, they discussed hiring, capital, and why complaining about funding isn't helpful.
October 7, 2026
From left: Linda Rottenberg, Aleksandr Konotopskyi, Rafal Modrzewski, and Luca Ferrari on stage at Wave by Vento in Turin.
Credit: Wave by Vento
Bending Spoons co-founder and CEO, Luca Ferrari, states that access to capital is no longer the primary obstacle for European founders. He made this remark during a panel discussion at Wave by Vento in Turin on Wednesday.
"I think if you have a great project and you’re credible and persistent, you can get as much money here as almost anywhere."
Ferrari added that a founder who blames a lack of funding might be overlooking issues with their idea, credibility, or execution, or simply not being persistent enough.
"Complaining is not part of the solution."
The panel, titled Proof from Elsewhere, featured founders who were all encouraged to move to Silicon Valley but chose to stay in Europe. Linda Rottenberg, co-founder and CEO of Endeavor, led the discussion. Alongside Ferrari sat Rafal Modrzewski, co-founder and CEO of ICEYE, a Finnish satellite maker, and Aleksandr Konotopskyi, founder of Ajax Systems, a Ukrainian security company, and chairman of its supervisory board.
Why they stayed
Ferrari explained that Bending Spoons chose Milan after a thorough location study considering many cities. The decision was based on the availability of top talent and less competitive hiring conditions. The company has also since opened a Warsaw office. According to Ferrari, some team members would have had to emigrate for interesting jobs, but they chose to stay.
Bending Spoons went public on the Nasdaq in July. Ferrari noted that, so far, life as a public company CEO has been similar to his previous role. However, he faces constant interest in the company, and he strives to keep the focus on the work.
Modrzewski's perspective
ICEYE, according to Modrzewski, faces less competition for engineers than it would in the Bay Area. He observed that engineers are now reaching out from Seattle and California to move back to Europe.
Konotopskyi's insights
Konotopskyi argued that Ajax Systems builds teams in other countries purely for efficiency. Despite the full-scale war in Ukraine, its engineering team has stayed local and serves customers in 130 countries. He attributed the EU's technological gap with the US and China to regulations and taxes, and encouraged governments to be more supportive of entrepreneurs.
Capital and focus
Rottenberg recalled that there was almost no venture capital outside the US when Endeavor began in 1997. Today, the network operates in 50 countries and has selected over 3,100 entrepreneurs whose companies generate over $100 billion in revenue. Its venture arm closed a $320 million fund on Wednesday.
Modrzewski acknowledged an increase in European capital but noted that the competition for startups has intensified. He emphasized that fast-growing companies require substantial funding to absorb mistakes.
"You need a lot of money sitting on your bank account so that you know that you can make mistakes."
Konotopskyi advised founders not to obsess over fundraising. Instead, he stressed the importance of having a great product and customers willing to pay for it, suggesting that funding will follow.
Ferrari concluded by stating that the best way for founders to give back is by focusing on their own work.