Znext, the industrial platform created by Italian publisher Zanichelli to develop and scale technology companies focused on training, work and wellbeing, has announced its first international expansion outside Italy, targeting Spain as its entry market into Europe’s broader startup ecosystem.
The move marks a significant milestone for the venture-builder platform, which has established itself as a key player in identifying and nurturing edtech and enterprise solutions in the Italian market. To lead this expansion effort, Znext has appointed Marco Parente as Head of M&A, tasking him with overseeing the scouting, negotiation and integration of potential deals while coordinating the broader international growth strategy.
Strategic Entry Into Spain
Znext’s decision to launch in Spain reflects the country’s strengthening position as a hub for innovation in workforce development and employee wellbeing solutions. The appointment of Parente signals the company’s commitment to building a sustained presence in the Spanish market rather than pursuing a superficial market entry.
In a statement about the expansion, Elena Lavezzi, a key figure at Znext, commented on the significance of the move: “The appointment of Marco reflects a path already started and marks a new stage for Znext – Spain is the first market we are investing in to build a stable international presence.”
This structured approach to international development contrasts with rapid expansion models, instead emphasizing the identification of strategic partnerships and investment opportunities aligned with Znext’s core focus areas of training, work and wellbeing technologies.
Building a European Footprint
The Spanish expansion represents the beginning of what appears to be a broader European strategy for the venture-builder platform. By establishing operations in Spain, Znext positions itself to access a dynamic startup ecosystem while creating a foundation for potential further growth across Europe.
Parente’s role as Head of M&A will be critical to this strategy. His responsibilities will extend beyond simply identifying acquisition targets; he will work to understand the Spanish market’s unique characteristics and identify companies and founders whose vision aligns with Znext’s mission to build transformative solutions in training, employment and worker wellbeing.
Broader Context for European Startups
Znext’s international expansion comes at a time when European venture builders and industrial platforms are increasingly looking beyond their home markets to sustain growth. The trend reflects both the maturation of some national ecosystems and the recognition that pan-European strategies offer greater scale and resilience than single-market operations.
The venture-builder model, where established companies or investors create and incubate multiple startups internally, has gained traction across Europe as a complementary approach to traditional venture capital. Znext’s backing by Zanichelli, a major Italian educational publisher, provides the platform with industry expertise and distribution advantages that many standalone venture builders lack—assets that should prove particularly valuable in international expansion efforts.