Ireland and Italy
A week built for the people building the next generation of accelerators, venture studios, and innovation hubs, starting in Limerick at Futura Innovation Conference, moving on to Milan for CES Unveiled, and finishing at H-Farm in Venice, with a Saturday visit to the Biennale.
This is an invitation to build relationships, not just fill an agenda. Along the way, there's time and space for the conversations that matter most.
The stops
One week, two countries, three stops
Futura Innovation Conference
A citywide innovation gathering bringing together founders, investors, researchers, and builders across Ireland, Europe, and beyond. Venture Builders Retreat guests will be there October 19–20, joining as part of the broader Futura community.
There's a pub in Limerick with our name on it! In collaboration with Funded House, Venture Builders Retreat guests will have a home base while at Futura: Funded House at Jerry Flannery's Bar, 20 Catherine St, Limerick. Less programming, more of the people you'll want to know. Open to you throughout the conference.
Venture builder show-and-tell: Monday, October 19, in the afternoon (exact time to be confirmed).
CES Unveiled by CTA
A single-day showcase of what's next in technology and venture, hosted by CTA at Allianz MiCo on Wednesday, October 21, from noon to 7 PM, with a cocktail reception from 5 to 7 PM. Venture Builders Retreat guests get access and a VIP tour of select startups with Brian Comiskey, CTA's futurist.
Thursday, October 22, 6:00 PM: cocktails at Le Village by CA, the Crédit Agricole startup accelerator at Corso di Porta Romana 61, Milan, hosted by Business France.
H-Farm
A visit to H-Farm, one of Europe's leading venture builders, set on a campus in the Venice countryside. On Friday, October 23, we arrive by train for lunch with the entrepreneurship fellows, a campus tour, and a fireside conversation about US startups and investing led by Tim O'Connell, followed by drinks with the group and the H-Farm team. On Saturday, October 24, an optional visit to the Venice Biennale. This stop is being planned for a small group, with details to follow directly to anyone joining.
RSVP
Let us know you're coming
Tell us which parts of the retreat you're joining. Once you submit, we'll point you to registration for each event, including the discount codes to use at checkout.
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Stay in the loop
Join the WhatsApp group for the trip, ask questions, and get to know who else is coming: Join the group
Logistics
Getting there and where we're staying
Futura runs across Limerick city centre, with venues within walking distance of each other. CES Unveiled is a single day in Milan at Allianz MiCo. Below are the recommended logistics for each leg, from Limerick to Milan to H-Farm in Venice. Please book your own travel and accommodation and do what works best for your schedule. See the key locations on Google Maps.
Limerick
Oct 19–20 · Futura-recommended hotels
The Futura team recommends three centrally located options, all walkable to Futura venues. Book whichever suits you:
Dublin
One night, Oct 20, for the early Oct 21 flight
Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport Central, about a 10 minute walk to the terminals. Hotel information and booking
Milan
Oct 21–22 nights, checkout Fri Oct 23
Milan Marriott Hotel. You're welcome to stay wherever works best for you. Hotel information and booking
Dublin to Milan
Wednesday, October 21: Aer Lingus EI432, Dublin to Milan Linate, departing 7:00 AM and landing 10:40 AM local time. Aer Lingus booking
We recommend booking with a flexible fare, and booking early. We plan to go directly from Linate to CES Unveiled and aim to arrive just before noon.
Getting around
Limerick to Dublin Airport, Tuesday, October 20: Citylink bus route 712 leaves Arthur's Quay in Limerick at 5:30 PM and arrives at Dublin Airport at 8:00 PM, EUR 28 per person. Timetable and booking
Milan Linate to Allianz MiCo: about 30 minutes by taxi or rideshare. No train needed for this leg given the short distance.
Milan to H-Farm
Fri Oct 23 · Train
Italo 8977 departs Milano Centrale at 9:35 AM and arrives at Venezia Mestre at 11:52 AM. The H-Farm team will arrange pickup at Venezia Mestre and transfer to campus. Please book your own ticket as soon as possible, as it books up fast. Italo booking
Villa Annia at H-Farm
Nights of Oct 23 and 24
We have rooms reserved at Villa Annia, on the H-Farm campus, at about $100 a night. Some of us stay Friday and Saturday nights, others Friday only. Let us know which nights you want and we will pass them to the H-Farm team. Property information
Venice Biennale
Sat Oct 24
We plan to visit the Biennale with Tim from H-Farm and a guide he recommends. Timing, guide cost and transport are being arranged, at around $100. Let us know if you would like to join.
Departure
Sun Oct 25
Depart, or take your own adventure.
Questions about any leg? Reach out at hello@venturebuilders.fund.
See you in Limerick, Milan and Venice
Questions in the meantime? Reach out and we'll help however we can.