Claudio De Giovanni’s career in global markets began in the intense environment of Rocket Internet’s Berlin headquarters. As part of the early team building Lazada, he gained direct exposure to how e-commerce could transform Southeast Asian retail. The platform grew from a startup into one of the region’s largest marketplaces before Alibaba acquired it in a multibillion-dollar transaction. Working across multiple countries taught him how to navigate different regulatory environments and cultural expectations while maintaining operational consistency.
Building Experience in High-Growth Markets
His next move took him to Silicon Valley and Homejoy, a Google Ventures-backed company pioneering on-demand services. The experience immersed him in California’s technology ecosystem, where he learned about product design, user experience optimization, and the automation systems that power digital platforms. Working alongside engineers and investors at the frontier of technology gave him practical insight into how software transforms traditional industries.
Investment Philosophy and Sector Focus
Claudio’s investment approach emphasizes operational excellence and sustainable business models. He focuses on technology ventures, artificial intelligence, e-commerce platforms, and property technology. His experience operating in Milan, Bangkok, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and London shaped how he evaluates opportunities across different markets. Each region presents unique challenges in terms of infrastructure, consumer behavior, and competitive dynamics. Understanding these differences allows him to identify companies that can adapt their innovations to multiple contexts.
Connecting Capital with Practical Innovation
The central challenge in his work involves matching global capital with ventures that create genuine value. In an environment where funding is abundant, distinguishing between superficial trends and substantial opportunities requires careful analysis. Claudio prioritizes companies with strong fundamentals and clear paths to profitability. He believes patient capital and operational support produce better outcomes than speculative short-term strategies. His involvement extends beyond financial investment to include strategic guidance based on his experience scaling companies across borders.
Focus on Emerging Technologies
His current work concentrates on artificial intelligence and data infrastructure. These technologies offer practical applications that can improve productivity across industries. Claudio sees potential in ventures that apply AI to solve specific problems rather than chasing headlines. He is building investment vehicles that combine financial discipline with hands-on experience, designed to support companies during the critical phases between early traction and full-scale growth.
The opportunity in global markets comes from connecting innovations developed in one region with needs in another. Claudio’s background allows him to see patterns across markets and to help companies expand internationally. His approach remains grounded in the lessons learned from building Lazada and working in Silicon Valley. Success requires understanding both the technology itself and the human systems it serves. His continued work across continents reflects a commitment to building companies that generate lasting value for customers, employees, and investors.
