Lino Gandola (Riceberg Ventures)

Overview

Lino Gandola is a well-regarded figure in the venture capital space, specifically as a founding partner of Riceberg Ventures. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Gandola has a background in business administration from the University of St. Gallen. His career took a significant turn towards entrepreneurship during his time at the university, where he engaged with the startup ecosystem through events like the St. Gallen Symposium and the START Summit.

Gandola co-founded Riceberg Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm, in 2023 alongside Ankit Anand, Mredul Sarda, and Shubham Raj. The firm focuses on deeptech startups, particularly in sectors such as spacetech, AI, health tech, cybersecurity, and novel energy. Gandola's role in Riceberg Ventures marks him as a key figure in supporting transformative technological innovation globally.

Recent Developments

January 14, 2025: Riceberg Ventures launched a $20 million fund aiming to invest in 25-30 startups in high-growth sectors such as spacetech, medtech, AI, and cybersecurity. The fund is designed to address the funding gap in these sectors and provide early-stage capital. It leverages a global network of business and technical leaders to support startups in achieving product-market fit.
Throughout 2024: Riceberg Ventures operated and expanded its first dedicated spacetech accelerator, KickSky, in collaboration with E2MC Ventures. The initiative aimed to boost the Indian spacetech startup ecosystem.
December 11, 2024: Manastu Space, one of Riceberg Ventures' portfolio companies, made significant progress by securing $3 million in funding from various investors, including Riceberg Ventures.
June 2024: Lino Gandola participated in multiple global venture capital conferences, strengthening Riceberg Ventures' presence and expanding their network with stakeholders in deeptech sectors around the world.

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Lino Gandola
Born	Zurich, Switzerland
Nationality	Swiss
Occupation	Venture Capitalist
Known For	Co-founding Riceberg Ventures
Education	University of St. Gallen
Languages	German, Italian, French, English, Hindi

Early Life and Education

Lino Gandola was born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland. From an early age, he exhibited a keen interest in entrepreneurship and innovation. His educational journey led him to the University of St. Gallen, where he pursued a degree in business administration. This academic environment, coupled with his organizational roles in impactful events like the St. Gallen Symposium, cultivated his passion for fostering entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.

During his time at university, Gandola became significantly influenced by the opportunities in the global startup ecosystem, particularly those emerging from India. His exposure to diverse business cultures, coupled with his studies, set a strong foundation for his future endeavors in the venture capital industry.

Career and Notable Achievements

Co-Founder of Riceberg Ventures (2023): Gandola co-founded Riceberg Ventures, focusing on early-stage deeptech companies. The firm aims to bridge gaps in early-stage funding by leveraging partnerships with scientists and entrepreneurs across Europe, the US, and India.
Notable Investments: (2023-2024): Riceberg Ventures has invested in multiple innovative startups including Manastu Space, known for its green propulsion engines, and EtherealX, a pioneer in reusable launch vehicles.
OpenAI Collaborations: Gandola and his team have been instrumental in collaborations designed to connect Indian tech talents with global innovation platforms, fostering significant advancements in AI and machine learning under their investment network.

Current Work and Impact

Lino Gandola continues to serve as a founding partner at Riceberg Ventures, where he plays a crucial role in their strategic operations and expansion into the deeptech sector. Through Riceberg Ventures, Gandola is influencing the dynamics of early-stage venture investments, particularly in sectors that involve high research and development costs.

His efforts have been particularly impactful in promoting deeptech startups in India, aiming to elevate them on the global stage. He utilizes his extensive network to secure follow-on funding and facilitate co-investments, thereby ensuring sustainable growth for the portfolio companies.

Conclusion

Lino Gandola stands as a pivotal force in the venture capital domain, especially in fostering deeptech innovations. His leadership in Riceberg Ventures exemplifies his commitment to backing groundbreaking technologies that promise to disrupt traditional markets and create new ones. His work not only aids startups financially but also provides strategic growth opportunities on a global scale. Gandola's continued influence in this sector cements his legacy as a catalyst for technological innovation and entrepreneurial growth.