Italian publishing House Zanichelli Editore Launches €60 Million To Support EdTech Startups

ZNEXT will offer up to €150k in pre-seed funding per company and operate both as a venture builder and M&A platform—co-founding new startups and acquiring majority stakes in small but promising businesses.

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The initiative will focus on areas like EdTech, Future of Work, Lifelong Learning, and Wellbeing Tech, aiming to shape the next generation of learning and professional development tools.

ZNEXT is led by Elena Lavezzi, formerly of Uber and Revolut, who brings her experience of scaling disruptive platforms into this new venture. “Diversification is key, and the core Zanichelli business has continuously innovated, harnessing the potential of evolving markets for over 150 years. ZNEXT, alongside the existing VC fund Zanichelli Venture, represents the next branch in the company’s evolutionary tree. Having directly observed the impact of industry-defining change at Uber and Revolut, I am now excited to channel that same energy and ambition into unlocking the boundless potential within individuals through world-class technology.”

Over the years, Zanichelli became a leader in legal, educational, and scientific publishing, known for trusted grammar books, science texts, and widely used dictionaries. Today, it continues to drive digital innovation in the Italian education sector.

With the launch of ZNEXT, Zanichelli is now expanding into EdTech and innovation, using a combined approach of venture building and acquisitions to back bold entrepreneurs and growing companies in Italy and beyond.

“Zanichelli Editore has an incredible history, including being the first to translate Charles Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ into Italian in 1864. Darwin understood that humans are constantly changing, and it is neither the strongest nor the most intelligent that survive, but those most responsive to changing environments,” added Lavezzi.

ZNEXT, Zanichelli’s new venture initiative, will support early-stage startups with up to €150k in pre-seed funding, along with hands-on operational help, domain expertise, and access to its wider network. Startups will be selected through a data-driven process, based on their technical potential and market opportunity.

In parallel ZNEXT’s M&A arm will acquire majority stakes in businesses that align with its focus areas, working closely with existing teams to scale and strengthen their technology for growth.

The initiative also welcomes intrapreneurs from within Zanichelli Editore, offering them a platform to innovate from inside the historic company. With ZNEXT, Zanichelli continues its legacy in education while embracing the future of lifelong learning and skill development.

“The accelerating pace of technological change, globalisation, and evolving societal needs underscore the critical importance of human adaptability,” added Ferrante Enriques, shareholder in Zanichelli Editore and ZNEXT, who spearheaded ZNEXT’s creation. “Whilst we are, and will always continue to be, vocal advocates for traditional education, there is no doubt that the world is changing and innovative technology is unlocking human potential. We are committed to investing in this evolution, enabling citizens across the world to adapt the way they live, work and learn.”

Aout Zanichelli Editore

Founded in 1859 by bookseller Nicola Zanichelli, Zanichelli Editore has long been a pillar of Italian culture and education. It published works by iconic authors like Carducci and Pascoli, and introduced Italian readers to key scientific texts by Darwin and Einstein.