Nova, the global professional network where access is based on merit and talent, has raised €3.2 million in a funding round led by CDP Venture Capital, through the ServiceTech segment of its Corporate Partners I Fund. The round also saw participation from BY Venture Partners and angel investors from the Doha Tech Angels network. This fund will support Nova’s international expansion and growth, strengthen its operations in Italy and abroad, and accelerate the development of its technology, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence.
Founded in 2020 by Andrea Marino (Italy), Ramón Rodrigáñez (Spain), and Lars-Henrik Friis Molin (Sweden), Nova stands out for its selective, tech-enabled access model. Every member is admitted through a rigorous selection process, ensuring a high-quality network where every connection matters. To date, this process enabled Nova to select over 25,000 professionals in over 80 countries, and to collaborate with more than 800 companies across many industries, such as marketing, sales, consulting, investment banking, VC and tech.
Nova is now entering a new phase of international growth, focusing on expanding its professional platform and strengthening its technology with a strategic emphasis on artificial intelligence. The funding will be used primarily across three areas: expanding into major European cities, improving the in-app matching algorithm for members, and scaling Nova Recruiter (the B2B SaaS platform designed to offer a more effective alternative to LinkedIn).
“We had to rethink and change our approach to find a suitable model that could appeal to VC. Our strong unit economics, premium positioning, and social network dynamics convinced top-tier investors. We’re proud to welcome new partners from both Italy and the Middle East, a region where significant talent shortages meets growing demand, making it a strategic opportunity.” said Andrea Marino, CEO e co-founder at Nova.
Impact and vision
Nova’s goal is to connect the world’s top talent and drive professional success through meaningful relationships. The platform has already helped over 800 leading companies find candidates with high profiles, and now aims to amplify that number tenfold in the next two years.
They’re aiming to become a “lifetime MBA.” In a world where great content is widely available, Nova offers its members what people used to look for in traditional MBA programs: a brand of excellence on their CV, a powerful professional network, and unique events and experiences, all powered by proprietary technology.
“This funding not only validates our model, but also highlights the market’s growing interest in platforms that complement LinkedIn, offering better solutions both for the challenges professionals face in managing their careers, and for the inefficiencies in recruiting, especially when it comes to highly skilled, in-demand talent. As platforms like LinkedIn grow in size, there’s a stronger need for a quality-first alternative where every connection truly matters. We know that professional success isn’t just about talent—it also depends on the strength of your network. That’s why we’re building a merit-based community where each connection adds real value. This approach has already led to hundreds of success stories made possible through Nova,” added Marino.
“We’re happy to support Nova as it grows in Italy and expands globally,” said Laura Scaramella, Head of ServiceTech at CDP Venture Capital’s Corporate Partners I Fund. “Nova has had an international outlook from the very beginning. Its value proposition is a great fit for the Services sector -our fund’s core focus – as it helps companies improve their hiring process, cut costs, and identify high-potential young talent, which is becoming increasingly essential to improving productivity in the industry”.
The deal was advised by law firm LCA, which assisted CDP Venture Capital with a team led by partner Andrea Messuti, and Bird & Bird, which supported Nova’s founding team with a team led by partner Martin Folke.
