Davide Ritorto

Co-Founder

Bologna, Italy9 yrs 2 mos experience
AI EnabledAI ML Practitioner

Key Highlights

  • Expert in Open Innovation and Corporate Venturing.
  • Proven track record in luxury automotive strategy.
  • Passionate about mentoring startups in future mobility.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Corporate Innovation Specialist with a focus on Automotive and Venture Capital.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Open InnovationInnovation ManagementBusiness StrategyProject ManagementProcess InnovationOperations ManagementCorporate VenturingStrategyVenture CapitalMarket AnalysisDigital MarketingValue Stream Mapping

Other Skills

Corporate StrategyBusiness NeedsEmerging TechnologiesInnovation InitiativesProof-of-ConceptsCollaborationStakeholder ManagementBusiness PlanningStrategic PartnershipsProduct ManagementCustomer ExperienceInnovation ScoutingBusiness InnovationBusiness DevelopmentBusiness Requirements

About

At heart, I'm a connector: someone who brings together people, ideas, and technologies to create value where others might not see it. After a Management Engineering degree, an MBA, and 7+ years in luxury automotive, my journey so far has given me an end-to-end perspective: 1. Product Industrialization & GTM: starting in pre-series, learning exactly how technical excellence is built and delivered to market. 2. Strategy & Customer Experience: spending 4 years in After Sales, where I designed the new global strategy, working across commercial dynamics and customer experience. 3. Startup Collaboration & VC Dynamics: developed a deep understanding of startup–corporate collaboration models and venture capital mechanics through my MBA exchanges and the VC Lab program. 4. Open Innovation & Ecosystem Strategy: now, reporting to Lamborghini’s Chief Strategy Officer and driving cross-functional innovation, I leverage that full-cycle experience to connect internal expertise with external disruptors and move from PoC to implementation. My mission is clear: using Open Innovation to design new ways to collaborate, experiment, and create tangible business and ecosystem value. Beyond the office: I have a parallel passion for researching the Corporate Venturing industry. I am the author of Open Road Ventures newsletter (1,500+ subscribers, 7,000+ followers) and host of The Corporate Venturing Podcast, where I feature conversations with leaders in the field. I am also an AI experimenter, exploring practical use cases for work augmentation and decision support. Offline, I am a scuba diver, a specialty coffee geek, and a dedicated advocate of slow food. I am generally inspired by people who pursue their passions with curiosity and authenticity. 📮Reach out for: Open innovation exchange, corporate venturing insights, startup ecosystem connections, or simply a great conversation over coffee.

Experience

9 yrs 2 mos
Total Experience
4 yrs 5 mos
Average Tenure
4 mos
Current Experience

Automobili lamborghini s.p.a.

5 roles

Innovation Management

Promoted

Jan 2026Present · 4 mos

  • Building Lamborghini’s (Open) Innovation capability within the Strategy Department, connecting corporate strategy, business needs, the Volkswagen Group, and external innovation ecosystems.
  • Reporting directly to the Chief Strategy & General Secretary Officer.
  • Responsibilities
  • Define and deploy the company’s first Open Innovation framework aligned with corporate strategy.
  • Scout emerging technologies and trends to inform future scenarios.
  • Prioritize and orchestrate innovation initiatives across the company (e.g. Venture Clienting, CVC).
  • Translate business challenges into pilots and proof-of-concepts.
  • Interface with VW Group, Group brands, startups, and research partners.
  • Promote an open and collaborative innovation culture through internal presentations and events.
  • Report progress and impact to top management.
Open InnovationInnovation ManagementCorporate StrategyBusiness NeedsEmerging TechnologiesInnovation Initiatives+3

Strategy & Project Manager (Global AfterSales)

Jan 2023Jan 2026 · 3 yrs

  • Coordinating the design and execution of Lamborghini’s Global Aftersales Strategy across all key areas: Technical Support, Spare Parts, Accessories, Services, Product Management, Aftersales Marketing, Training, Customer Care, and Polo Storico (heritage vehicles).
  • Developed a multi-year Aftersales Strategy and its related Digital Transformation roadmap, aligning with the Commercial Digital Strategy team.
  • Analyzed and improved the aftersales customer journey, focusing on luxury service quality and personalization.
  • Coordinated aftersales readiness for Urus and Lanzador, synchronizing efforts across the product line.
  • Designed and managed 4 innovation projects on AI application from PoC to rollout.
  • Conducted market and competitor analyses to inform strategic decisions.
  • Implemented improvements based on dealers and customer feedback.
  • Upgraded internal tools and workflows to facilitate more efficient and effective operations.
  • Managing Go-to-Market for Urus and Lanzador model lines
Innovation ManagementMarket AnalysisBusiness PlanningStrategic PartnershipsProduct ManagementCustomer Experience+7

Innovation & Project Manager (Connected Car)

Promoted

Nov 2021Jul 2023 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Connected Car strategy and innovation for Global AfterSales, managing the lifecycle of connectivity services across Lamborghini’s global dealer network (+50 countries). Focused on improving customer experience, driving innovation, and aligning technology with service operations.
  • Designed and implemented the Connected Car Strategy for Aftersales, aligning digital product development with service and support needs.
  • Managed the full lifecycle of Connectivity products, from feature definition to field deployment and performance monitoring.
  • Coordinated day-to-day connectivity operations across global dealers, consistently achieving 110% of annual targets.
  • Led 10+ innovation projects, scouting technologies and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver impactful solutions.
  • Conducted market research and collected customer and dealer feedback to guide service improvements and product development.
  • Managed a 2-person team and dedicated budget, defining KPIs and business models tailored to aftersales services.
  • Drove key strategic and analytical initiatives to enhance the service experience and anticipate customer expectations.
  • Delivered regular Connectivity Status updates to the Board of Directors, supporting decision-making and executive alignment.
Project ManagementInnovation ManagementMarket AnalysisConnected CarsBusiness PlanningTeam Management+8

Business Process Analyst

Promoted

May 2019Jan 2022 · 2 yrs 8 mos

  • Process Innovation and Continuous Improvement:
  • Process Improvement: Improved Lamborghini’s problem-solving methodology.
  • Process Design: Led design of the new "Interfunctional Problem Solving Procedure."
  • Tool Development: Developed and implemented a new problem-solving tool across nine departments, recognized as a top use case in VW group.
  • Stakeholder Management: Directly managed problem-solving activities during early development phases.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Created and regularly presented KPIs to the Board.
  • Collaboration: Coordinated a problem-solving discussion table, achieving a 97% problem resolution rate before Series milestone.
Operations ManagementProject ManagementInnovation ManagementPresentation SkillsProblem SolvingCustomer Experience+3

Process Analyst (Pre-Series)

Nov 2018May 2019 · 6 mos

Team ManagementPresentation SkillsProblem SolvingBusiness Process ImprovementContinuous ImprovementData Analysis

Open innovation labs, uc berkeley

Open Innovation Advisory Board Member

Jan 2026Present · 4 mos

Open Innovation

Vc lab

Venture Institute Fellow

Jan 2025Apr 2025 · 3 mos · Palo Alto, California, Stati Uniti d'America · Remote

  • Selected from 1,500 applicants to join the Venture Institute, an elite training program dedicated to shaping the next generation of ethical venture capitalists. Now among just over 200 participants from 64 countries, committed to upholding the Mensarius Oath and fostering responsible innovation and investment.
Venture CapitalMarket AnalysisInvestimentiCorporate Venture Capital

Open road ventures

Founder & Editor

Mar 2024Present · 2 yrs 2 mos · Remote

PodcastingStrategic PartnershipsCorporate VenturingStrategyOpen Innovation

Bundl

Member, Bundl Venture Club

Feb 2024Oct 2025 · 1 yr 8 mos · Remote

  • As an expert member, I connect with other leading corporate innovators from around the world to exchange insights and shape the future of Corporate Venturing
Open InnovationCorporate VenturingCorporate Venture CapitalCorporate Entrapreneurship

Motor valley accelerator

Startup Mentor

Jul 2023Jun 2025 · 1 yr 11 mos · Modena, Emilia Romagna, Italia

  • Mentoring startups specializing in innovation within future mobility, energy and automotive industries.
  • Providing guidance on business planning, corporates collaboration and strategy development.
  • Offering support in honing pitching skills for effective investors and corporates communication.
  • Assisting founders in expanding their network within automotive and venture capital fields.
Venture CapitalMarket AnalysisLean StartupStartupStrategy

Circles professional networking

Co-Founder

Jun 2023Mar 2025 · 1 yr 9 mos · Milano, Lombardia, Italia · Remote

Customer ExperienceStrategy

Marelli

Value Stream Specialist

Mar 2018Jun 2018 · 3 mos · Bari Area, Italy

  • Responsible for the Value Stream Mapping of IHP10 high pressure injector manufacturing process
  • Applied Lean Production principles for analysis and development of aforementioned process (-35% total lead time reduction obtained)
  • Defined a strategy to improve the process flow through low-impact investments
  • Developed Value Stream Plan and Value Stream Review
  • Chaired a class in Value Stream Mapping for the training program "Innovation of processes and mechanical products" by ITS Cuccovillo and Magneti Marelli
Project ManagementInnovation ManagementPresentation SkillsProblem SolvingGestione stakeholderContinuous Improvement+2

Border line store

Founder

Dec 2016Nov 2018 · 1 yr 11 mos · Bari Area, Italy

  • Creation and launch of an online design platform. A hub where young and talented designers could express themselves by selling their own unique creations.
  • Setup of Business Plan. Adopted a Lean Startup approach in building a MVP and defining a go-to-market strategy
  • Led a team of 10 people
  • Financial Planning: define investment business case and outline key performance, measurement and reporting frameworks
  • Product & Brand Marketing: proactive scouting of commercial partnership options with targeted users
Team ManagementGestione stakeholderSocial MediaDigital MarketingStrategyBusiness Strategy

Self-employed tutor

Tutor in Mathematics and Physics for High School students

Mar 2016May 2018 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Bari Area, Italy

  • Math & Physics tutor for High-School Students.
Social Media

Take off events

Event Promoter

Jun 2015Oct 2017 · 2 yrs 4 mos · Apulia, Italy · Hybrid

Social MediaCommunicationDigital Marketing

Education

POLIMI Graduate School of Management

Professional Certification — Artificial Intelligence

Mar 2025Jul 2025

POLIMI Graduate School of Management

Master of Business Administration - MBA — International Part-Time MBA

Oct 2021Sep 2023

University of St.Gallen MBA

Master of Business Administration - MBA — International Exchange - Business Model Innovation

Mar 2023Apr 2023

Audencia

Master of Business Administration - MBA — International Exchange - From Business Opportunity to Business Plan

Jan 2023Feb 2023

UCL

Master of Business Administration - MBA

Nov 2022Nov 2022

EADA Business School

Master of Business Administration - MBA

Nov 2021Nov 2021

Politecnico di Bari

Bachelor's degree — Management Engineering

Jan 2015Jan 2018

Liceo Scientifico G. Salvemini

High School Diploma — Science and Maths

Jan 2010Jan 2015

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