Mind the Bridge, global open innovation platform that empowers economies through entrepreneurship and innovation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Sguazzi as Head of Venture Builder and Startup Programs. With over a decade of experience in innovation, business development, and technology scouting, Sguazzi will play a key role in expanding the firm’s global reach and strengthening its Open R&D and Venture Builder initiatives.
Holding a Master of Science in International Business from Maastricht University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Bocconi University, Andrea Sguazzi built his career at the intersection of technology and corporate innovation. Prior to joining Mind the Bridge, he served as Head of Enel Group’s Innovation Hub in Silicon Valley, where he was instrumental in fostering collaborations between startups and the multinational energy company. During his tenure, he successfully identified and supported innovative technologies in the energy and climate tech sectors, building strong connections within the global startup ecosystem.
“We are very happy to welcome Andrea to our team – said Marco Marinucci, CEO and founder of Mind the Bridge – His deep expertise in corporate innovation and startup development, combined with his extensive network, perfectly aligns with MTB’s mission to bridge the gap between startups and large enterprises on a global scale. We are confident that his leadership will further strengthen our presence and impact in the international innovation landscape.”
In his new role, Sguazzi will lead the Venture Builder programs, focusing on developing high-impact projects from ideation to market entry. Among these initiatives is Open R&D, an R&D-as-a-Service and Venture Builder program that connects corporations with researchers. This model encourages companies to engage in external collaborations to both create new innovation pipelines and monetize technological assets that are no longer core to their business. Additionally, Sguazzi will oversee the Startup Programs, designed to support early and growth-stage startups in scaling their businesses and expanding into international markets.
“After years within a multinational corporation, I’m eager to build and scale Mind the Bridge’s new initiatives and programs, starting with Open R&D,” said Andrea Sguazzi. “Our goal is to accelerate the development of MVPs for corporates tackling deep tech challenges by leveraging top-tier researchers worldwide. At the same time, our startup programs will help governments promote their local ecosystems on a global scale, attracting top-tier entrepreneurs”.
With this appointment, Mind the Bridge reaffirms its commitment to strengthening innovation ecosystems by providing startups and corporations with the tools, resources, and strategic guidance needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving market.
