What does it really take to turn a promising European startup into a successful US business?
In this special fifth-anniversary episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I sit down with Simone Tarantino, Managing Director of the Transatlantic Innovation Hub and Managing Partner at H-Ventures, to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and realities of building bridges between two of the world’s most influential innovation ecosystems.
The Transatlantic Innovation Hub (TIH) was created as part of the vision and initiatives of Atlas, an association within Confindustria Servizi Innovativi e Tecnologici. TIH represents Atlas’ New York presence and platform for transatlantic innovation. Any references in the interview to expansion initiatives in China, Qatar, or other international locations relate to Atlas’ broader activities and network, rather than to TIH specifically.
From its flagship location on Fifth Avenue in New York City, the Transatlantic Innovation Hub, powered by Atlas (part of Confindustria Servizi Innovativi e Tecnologici) is creating a launchpad for European startups, scaleups, corporates, and innovators looking to expand into the United States. Simone shares how the Hub helps companies move beyond simply securing office space by providing access to investors, advisors, legal experts, business development partners, and the relationships that often determine whether international expansion succeeds or fails.
We also explore the cultural differences between European and American innovation ecosystems, why networking remains one of the most valuable business skills, and how founders can avoid common mistakes when entering a new market. Simone reflects on his own journey from entrepreneur in Italy to ecosystem builder in New York, including the lessons learned from starting over and finding his place in one of the world’s most competitive business environments.
The conversation goes beyond startups and venture capital. We discuss why corporate innovation initiatives often struggle, the importance of translators who can bridge the language gap between startups and large enterprises, and why collaboration frequently delivers better outcomes than competition. Simone also shares his vision for a growing global network of innovation hubs connecting New York, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Whether you’re a founder looking to expand internationally, a corporate leader searching for fresh ideas, or someone fascinated by how innovation ecosystems are built, this episode offers valuable lessons on creating connections that help ideas travel further and grow faster. What role could stronger partnerships play in accelerating your own innovation journey?
Name: Simone Tarantino
Title: Managing Partner US at H-Ventures & Managing Director of the Transatlantic Innovation Hub
Company: Transatlantic Innovation Hub
LinkedIn | Transatlantic Innovation Hub |
Simone Tarantino is a transatlantic innovation strategist and ecosystem builder. He serves as Managing Partner US at H-Ventures and Managing Director of the Transatlantic Innovation Hub, where he leads initiatives that connect corporate demand with global innovation supply across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. His work focuses on translating complex enterprise and institutional needs into structured market-access strategies, technology scouting mandates, and venture-client engagements that accelerate adoption and scale.
Simone has extensive experience advising foreign governments and public institutions on ecosystem development, internationalization strategies, and the design of public-private innovation programs. He supports ministries, trade agencies, and economic development organizations in building actionable frameworks that enable startups and corporates to enter and expand in the U.S. market, while fostering sustainable cross-border collaboration.
He has mentored and coached hundreds of international startups and scale-ups, helping them navigate U.S. market dynamics, enterprise sales, regulatory complexity, and fundraising. At the same time, he works closely with corporate leaders to align innovation initiatives with governance structures, KPIs, and operational realities, ensuring successful deployment beyond pilot phases.
In academia, Simone is Adjunct Professor of Data Product Design at Yeshiva University, where he teaches an applied curriculum combining business strategy, design thinking, and analytics to help students transform data into actionable product insights.
He serves as Chairman of the Impact Mentors Foundation, supporting underrepresented founders through mentorship, network access, and pathways to capital.
Across his roles, Simone is recognized for his ability to bridge ecosystems, align stakeholders, and turn innovation into measurable outcomes through disciplined execution and global perspective.