Dr. Nicola Del Sarto | Business and Finance | Best Researcher Award 

Assistant Professor, University of Florence, Italy

Dr. Nicola Del Sarto is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florence, specializing in economics of financial intermediaries and corporate finance. Previously, they held postdoctoral research positions at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Pisa, contributing to projects on innovation strategies and data-driven economic growth (Horizon 2020, SoBigData++). With a PhD in Management of Innovation, Sustainability, and Healthcare (with Honor) from Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, their research explores venture capital, university spin-offs, and digital startup funding. Their high-impact publications in Small Business Economics, Global Business Review, and Finance Research Letters highlight key insights into entrepreneurial finance, equity crowdfunding, and innovation ecosystems.

Professional Profile 

scopus

Education 🎓

Dr. Nicola Del Sarto earned a PhD in Management of Innovation, Sustainability, and Healthcare from Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Pisa (2018, with Honor), focusing on business accelerators and open innovation. They also completed a 2nd Level Master’s in Innovation Management (2014) from the same institution. Their academic journey includes a Laurea Magistrale cum laude in Economics (LM-77) from the University of Pisa (2012-2014), with a thesis comparing Italian and U.S. pension funds, and a Laurea Triennale in Economics (2008-2012), analyzing economic crises of 1991-92 and 2007-08. These qualifications solidify their expertise in financial economics, entrepreneurship, and innovation strategies.

Experience 💼

Since September 2022, Dr. Nicola Del Sarto has been an Assistant Professor at the University of Florence, focusing on financial intermediaries and corporate finance. They previously worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Pisa (2018-2022), contributing to projects like SoBigData++ (Horizon 2020), open innovation strategies, and digital startup ecosystems. Under the supervision of Andrea Piccaluga and Alberto Di Minin, they studied the role of innovation intermediaries and venture capital in startup funding. Their research spans bank loan access for spin-offs, equity crowdfunding, and corporate finance, positioning them as a key scholar in entrepreneurial finance and innovation management.

Awards & Honors 🏆

PhD with Honor (2018) – Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna – Pisa Cum Laude Distinction (2014) – Laurea Magistrale in Economics, University of Pisa Horizon 2020 Research Grant Recipient – SoBigData++ Project (European Commission) Best Paper Award Nominee – International Conference on Entrepreneurship & Innovation Research Excellence Award – Recognized for contributions to venture capital and startup finance

Conclusion

The candidate possesses strong academic credentials, impactful research in financial innovation, and a growing publication record. Their work on venture capital, crowdfunding, and startup financing makes them a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. Strengthening international collaborations and broader policy impact could further solidify their position as a leading researcher in the field. 🚀

Publications Top Noted

📌 The influence of venture capital and university ownership on spin-off’s bank loan access: a synergistic effect – Small Business Economics (2025)

📌 Unlocking Digital Start-up Funding: How Innovation Intermediaries make It Happen. An Empirical Evidence from Italy – Global Business Review (2025)

📌 Equity Crowdfunding for sustainable oriented ventures: Lead Investor Impact on Campaign Success and Post-Campaign Performance – Finance Research Letters (2025)