ZNEXT is an industrial platform that builds and scales tech companies in EdTech, Future of Work, and Wellbeing. This is where we operate. Backed by Zanichelli Holding, we invest in the creation of new ventures and look for founders who want a partner that thinks long-term.
Our Venture Building motion is carried out via the ZNEXT Founders Program. Our goal is to back brilliant minds and help them deploy tech and AI to fight modern society's problems. We want to find new ways of helping people and drive a positive impact in Italy and Europe, ultimately sustaining the growth of future generations.
AGENCY
We look for agency above all. We’re eager to back highly motivated builders who want real responsibility, move fast, and are serious about commitment in this early-stage phase.
FOUNDER-INTENT
You've been close to the startup world long enough to know you want to be on the founder's path. You can't wait to start a new journey or you haven't had the right entry point yet.
EVIDENCE-DRIVEN EXECUTION
You're methodical. You're obsessed with customer interviews, distribution, and data, and you let your findings shape your view.
INTELLECTUAL HONESTY
Our goal during validation is to understand whether the problem is truly perceived. In this scenario, even "No" is a winning outcome. Capable founders know how to kill something if the data demands it. That intellectual honesty is what this program tests and what ZNEXT looks for.
THE IDEA
You can either have your own idea (bring it to the table, if that's the case) or choose a problem to crack from a list we provide.
YOUR STAGE
Your stage or background doesn't really matter. You might be a second-time founder willing to build something new, you might be super early in your founder's journey or an experienced operator intentionally transitioning into it.
YOUR AVAILABILITY
We won't ask you to drop everything to work with us. It really doesn't matter if you're available 24/7 or have other work duties: brilliant minds are always up to something, so we leave it to you to manage your schedule. We expect you to be aware of the commitment ahead and think this through.
What really matters to us is that you're committed and willing to go the extra mile to get things done. If that's you, we can definitely work together.
