Italy’s Zanichelli turns a new page: 166-year-old publisher’s €60M tech bet on future of learning

Italy’s publishing house Zanichelli Editore has launched ZNEXT, a €60M build-and-acquire initiative dedicated to developing ‘world-class’ technology businesses focused on unlocking human potential.

Founded in 1859 in Italy, the 166-year-old publishing company is creating this new venture to invest in edtech, future of work, lifelong learning, and wellbeing technology companies through both a venture builder model and an M&A vehicle. The initiative will be led by Elena Lavezzi, who previously held senior positions at Uber and Revolut.

As an internal initiative of Zanichelli Editore, ZNEXT is fully funded by its parent company without external investors. The venture aims to capitalise on what it describes as a $10T opportunity in the global learning market, focusing on long-term revenue growth rather than seeking quick returns for limited partners.

Capital utilisation

The funding will be allocated across two primary investment vehicles: a venture builder that will provide up to €150,000 in initial pre-seed funding to entrepreneurs and “intrapreneurs” from Zanichelli Editore, and an M&A arm that will acquire majority stakes in startups and established businesses with high growth potential.

ZNEXT will offer operational support, expertise, and network access to help portfolio companies accelerate their growth trajectory.

A new chapter in a 166-year publishing legacy

ZNEXT represents a significant strategic expansion for Zanichelli Editore. The company was the first to translate Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” into Italian in 1864 and claims to have maintained a leading position in educational publishing throughout its history.

This initiative, alongside the existing Zanichelli Venture fund, marks the company’s most substantial move into technology investment.

The venture builder will employ a data-driven evaluation process to identify promising opportunities aligned with its investment thesis. For established businesses acquired through the M&A vehicle, ZNEXT plans to work with existing leadership teams to introduce or optimise technology that can drive significant growth.

From tech unicorns to human potential

ZNEXT CEO Elena Lavezzi brings substantial experience from her roles at high-growth technology companies including Uber and Revolut.

Her background in scaling technology businesses will be instrumental in identifying and nurturing promising ventures that align with ZNEXT’s mission of unlocking human potential through technology.

Elena Lavezzi, CEO of ZNEXT, says, “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. 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.”

Patient capital for long-term human development

Unlike traditional venture capital models with defined fund lifespans, ZNEXT appears designed as a permanent investment vehicle focused on sustainable growth rather than predetermined exit timelines. The initiative reflects Zanichelli’s long-term perspective on education and human development technologies.

Ferrante Enriques, major shareholder in Zanichelli Editore and ZNEXT, who spearheaded ZNEXT’s creation, says, “The accelerating pace of technological change, globalisation, and evolving societal needs underscore the critical importance of human adaptability. While 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.”