I somehow knew it already — but it’s always a new discovery: there’s no better way to understand an ecosystem of innovation and investment than to dive right into it, surrounded by the people who have always made this incredible journey possible.
I had the privilege of attending the TECH WEEK by a16z Los Angeles Tech Week, one of the world’s most vibrant gatherings dedicated to innovation. For an entire week, the City of Angels — chaotic, magnetic, and full of contradictions — becomes a mosaic of founders, funds, panels, and conversations that fuel a restless and creative ecosystem.
For us at Rancilio Cube SICAF, as we continue building the portfolio of our Second Compartment, the project SAM – Searching Across Markets is the only way to reach places we could never get to from Italy or from behind a desk.
It’s more than a method — it’s a mindset: curiosity, openness, and a sincere sense of humility and gratitude toward those who, once again, have guided and welcomed us.
Los Angeles Ecosystem Highlights
Global Ranking: #7 startup ecosystem (Startup Genome)
Funding Power: Top 10 globally – $74B VC capital (2020–2024)
Economic Value: $385B (H2 2022–2024) vs global average $20.4B
Talent Strength: #4 for “Talent & Experience,” with 13,600 AI specialists
Median Salary (Software Engineer): $132K
Active Unicorns: 45
A heartfelt thank you to Jeff Kearl, Marvin Liao and Sam Giber — once again, our “angels” in every sense — and to Massimo Ruffoni, MBA for his relentless work and exceptional research.
And tonight, we head back to San Francisco, my Bay Area — where it all began.
From investing in Lyft (2015) to investing in Coursera, Toast, Airbnb, Brex, and SpaceX (our best return at the moment) and now a very special bunch of funds — every name tells the same story, yet each time it feels new: a unique blend of capital, vision, and courage that continues to shape the future of global innovation.
