Antonio Zangrilli
Board Member and Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
a.zangrilli@innova-eu.net
+39 346 503 6433
Via G. Peroni, 386, Rome, Italy
Work Experience
Antonio Zangrilli is Board Member and Chief Technology Officer at INNOVA, with extensive experience in technology transfer, innovation finance, startup acceleration, and European R&D project management. For over 25 years, he has supported innovative SMEs, deep-tech startups, investors, and research organizations in transforming technologies into scalable market opportunities.
His expertise combines business strategy, innovation financing, technology commercialization, and international project coordination, with a strong focus on startup growth and access to investment.
Professional Summary
Antonio has coordinated and managed numerous European and international innovation projects funded by Horizon Europe, FP7, regional programmes, and national innovation schemes. He has led multidisciplinary teams supporting SMEs and startups in fields such as:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Biotechnology
- Green Technologies
- Nanomaterials
- Robotics
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Health & Medical Technologies
He currently serves as Project Manager of the European EIC ACCESS+ initiative, supporting deep-tech innovators in accessing advanced innovation services and accelerating market deployment.
Key Areas of Expertise
Technology Transfer & Innovation Management
Specialized in designing and implementing technology transfer actions supporting SME innovation growth and commercialization strategies.
Startup Funding & Venture Capital
CEO of INVENT Seed Capital, supporting innovative spin-offs and startups through business planning, investment readiness, fundraising, and venture capital negotiations.
European R&D Projects
Project manager and evaluator for multiple European-funded initiatives related to innovation ecosystems, industrial technologies, and deep-tech commercialization.
Business Development & Internationalization
Supports companies in market positioning, export management, financial due diligence, and scaling strategies for international growth.
Selected Professional Experience
EIC ACCESS+
Project Manager of the European initiative supporting deep-tech innovators in accessing the EIC Service Catalogue and accelerating market uptake of breakthrough technologies.
INVENT Seed Capital
CEO of INVENT, supporting over 20 innovative spin-offs in fields including biotech, AI, nanotechnology, and robotics.
EIT Raw Materials
Expert evaluator assessing more than 90 innovation projects related to mining technologies, industrial recycling, advanced materials, and manufacturing systems.
Janus Pharma & Media Pharma
Founder and board member of innovative biotech and pharmaceutical companies focused on advanced therapies and patented health products.
Education & Qualifications
- Degree in Economics – Sapienza University of Rome
- Postgraduate Course in Export Management – Italian Trade Institute (ICE)
Languages
- Italian — Native
- English — Excellent
Training & Teaching Activities
Antonio has delivered more than 600 hours of international training and seminars on:
- Business Planning
- Innovation Financing
- R&D Project Management
- Startup Growth
- Venture Capital & Investments
- Spin-off Development
He regularly participates in conferences, innovation events, and investment forums as a speaker and mentor for startups and innovation stakeholders.
