Sella Direct Ventures
Proprietary venture capital area of Sella Group (Banca Sella Holding S.p.A.)
Sella Group area (launched 2025) coordinating the group’s proprietary VC: €250–500k co-investments in seed/Series A fintech start-ups plus LP commitments to early-stage VC funds.
- HEADQUARTERS
- Biella, Italy
- FOUNDED
- 2025
- AUM
- —
- OUTSIDE CAPITAL
- No — own capital only
- TEAM LISTED
- 4 people
Focus
- STAGES
- SeedSeries A
- ASSET MIX
- Venture capitalFunds (as LP)
- GEOGRAPHY
- ItalyEuropeUnited Kingdom
Overview
Sella Direct Ventures is the area of the Italian banking group Sella, created in 2025, that coordinates the group’s proprietary venture capital activity with a dual strategy of direct investments and fund investments. On the direct side it invests in Italy and Europe including the UK, in fintech and adjacent areas (payments, embedded finance, wealth and market infrastructure, compliance, AI-native financial services), usually co-investing alongside a lead with tickets of €250–500k. It also commits to early-stage VC funds, mainly in North America and Western Europe. The group reports more than 100 investments across funds and startups over two decades of venture activity.
Investment thesis
Follower investor in seed to Series A rounds (emphasis on late seed) of Italian and European fintech and financial-infrastructure companies, seeking observer seats and strategic partnerships with the group where aligned; fund commitments (typically €500k–€1m+ for new relationships, no more than 10% of a fund, no anchoring) to emerging and established GPs in North America and Western Europe.
PORTFOLIO (15)
- QontoFintech
- SatispayFintech
- FlagrightFintech
- A-CubeFintech
- HercleCrypto & Web3
- ComplaionSoftware & SaaS
- TotFintech
- BonusXSoftware & SaaS
- AidexaFintech
- Young PlatformCrypto & Web3
- PerpethuaFintech
- Weekend Fund (fund commitment)since 2026
- Ruya Ventures (fund commitment)since 2026
- Deciens Capital (fund commitment)since 2024
- Angel Invest Ventures (fund commitment)since 2024
People
- Giacomo SellaDirect Investments team; Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, Sella Group · source
- Giovanni CalabreseHead of CVC Competence Center & Investment Manager · source
- Jeremy ShureSenior Investment Partner (Fund Investments) · source
- Daniela BianchiniPortfolio Manager (Fund Investments) · source
Links
Frequently asked questions
Sella Direct Ventures is a corporate venture arm based in Biella, Italy, founded in 2025.
Yes. Sella Direct Ventures invests its own capital in private companies. It also commits capital to third-party funds as an LP.
Sella Direct Ventures invests at Seed and Series A stages in Fintech and Artificial Intelligence.
Sella Direct Ventures's stated ticket size is €250K–€500K.
Key people at Sella Direct Ventures include Giacomo Sella (Direct Investments team; Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, Sella Group), Giovanni Calabrese (Head of CVC Competence Center & Investment Manager), Jeremy Shure (Senior Investment Partner (Fund Investments)) and Daniela Bianchini (Portfolio Manager (Fund Investments)).
Sella Direct Ventures's investments include Qonto, Satispay, Flagright, A-Cube, Hercle, Complaion, Tot and BonusX, among others.
Sella Direct Ventures states that it accepts submissions through its official contact page.
No. Sella Direct Ventures invests its own capital and does not raise money from outside investors.