Investor Advice with Marco Gullà

Meet our featured innovator, Marco Gullà is an Investment Associate at Health Technology Holding, the Zambon family’s venture capital firm, where he focuses on early-stage biotech and medtech investments across Europe and the US. With a background in medical biotechnology and experience supporting healthcare startups at Bioindustry Park and Zcube, Zambon’s innovation arm, Marco also mentors several European startup programs. He is passionate about advancing pioneering therapies to address unmet patient needs.

1. Tell us more about yourself 

Marco Gullà is an Investment Associate at Health Technology Holding, italian venture capital backed by the Zambon family (owner of the Zambon Group), where he supports strategic investments in early-stage biotech and medtech startups across Europe and US. He holds a Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Bologna (Alma Mater Studiorum) and a Bachelor’s degree in Biosciences and Biotechnology from the University of Camerino, complemented by executive education at Bologna Business School.

Marco began his career at Bioindustry Park, supporting the growth and innovation of early-stage healthcare companies. Today, he also works closely with Zcube, the Zambon Group’s research and corporate venture arm, contributing to the group’s innovation strategy and ecosystem development. At Zcube, he played an active role in launching the Open Accelerator, Zcube’s flagship acceleration program with a strong focus on femtech and next-generation health technologies.

Marco serves as a mentor for several European startup programs, including Bocconi for Innovation (B4i) by Bocconi University, Seed 4 Innovation, Almacube (the University of Bologna’s incubator), and others—supporting emerging founders at the intersection of science, technology, and impact.

He is driven by a passion for pioneering therapies and a strong commitment to improving the lives of underserved patients.

 

2. What do you usually want to see in a startup before you decide to look into it further? 

I look for a clearly defined unmet need addressed by a compelling and differentiated solution—without artificially inventing a problem. A scalable business model, a solid competitive landscape analysis, and a well-articulated development and business strategy (including exit potential and value inflection points) are essential. I also value a thoughtful and disciplined cash allocation strategy—avoiding unnecessary burn across too many parallel assets—and a clear fundraising roadmap that aligns with the company’s growth milestones.

3.How did you get into this investment sector? 

While I was in the second year of my Bachelor’s degree, I began working in a lab internship focused on extracting secondary metabolites from bacteria to discover new molecules targeting antimicrobial resistance. During that experience, I realized that I was more intrigued by the potential business applications of future assets than by the lab work itself. That curiosity led me to explore the world of venture capital and startups. I remember reading a Nature article that mentioned how the field was filled with either investors or scientists—but rarely someone who could bridge both worlds. That idea resonated deeply with me. I decided to pursue this dual path, and eventually joined an Italian venture capital firm. Today, I truly feel I’ve found the place where I was meant to be—at the intersection of science and investment.

4. How can a startup best prepare itself to succeed in the present?  

 

The best advice? Know who you're talking to. Too often, founders pitch without understanding the investor’s background or investment focus—this can be a real game-changer. Take the time to study the fund’s portfolio, the investor’s academic background, and their specific interests. Also, be open to feedback—investors truly value founders who are open-minded and willing to adapt for the good of the company.

Learn more about the company: https://www.hthvc.com