The Collective
Neo-Industrialists, Innovators, Rebels
Arsenale is a collective of innovative thinkers and problem-solvers who value individualism and community. Our team embraces those who challenge the status quo, relying on first principles to tackle even seemingly unsolvable problems. Our approach embodies stoic virtues, facing challenges with integrity, resilience, and authenticity. We cultivate an environment of open-mindedness, collaboration, and intellectual curiosity, constantly pushing boundaries and fostering a culture of continuous learning and exploration.
The Founders
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Massimo Portincaso
CEO
Former BCG Partner and MD, co-founded and successfully exited Officinae Bio; senior advisor/board member for Officinae Bio, Insempra, Mogu/SQIM, Zero Farms, Atlant 3D, and advisor to VC funds; former Chairman of the Advisory Board at Hello Tomorrow; published thought-leader at BCG and in Sifted/FT, Fast Company, HBR, and more.
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Gordana Djordjevic
CSO
Former VP at Perfect Day, led R&D in Strain Engineering, Bio-Analytics, Fermentation, and Data Science; 25+ years of experience (Perfect Day, Zymergen, Synthetic Genomics, BP, Verenium/BASF) in tech delivery and aligning R&D with business strategy; holds BSc in Molecular Biology, MSc in Molecular Genetics, PhD in Microbiology, PMP and Lean Six Sigma certifications.
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Niels Agerbaek
CTO
Biotech leader with 20+ years across Europe, Asia, and the USA; former VP at Zymergen, GM at Xellia Pharmaceuticals US, and Director at Novo Nordisk; led global operations and projects from development to commercialization; holds a BSc in Process Engineering, MSc in International Technology Planning, and executive education from Harvard Business School.
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Matteo Zanotto
CIO/AI
AI and data analytics expert with a focus on probabilistic modeling in biology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and physiology; founder of a consulting practice integrating AI into business strategies; advisor on AI and data strategy for fintech and industrial AI startups; extensively published in top conferences and journals; holds an MSc in AI and a PhD in Machine Learning and Computer Vision.
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Arnaud Legris
COO
Former BCG Senior Consultant, core member of the deep tech practice, focusing on synthetic biology projects and ecosystem ; co-authored BCG reports; authored the European Innovation Council blueprint supporting deep tech scale-ups; trained as a French engineer at Ecole Centrale Paris & University of Singapore.
Our Background
HOW WE WORK
A Collective Committed to Bridging Nature & Technology
Drawing inspiration from the Romantic movement, we recognize the profound importance of our connection to nature. We believe in building an industry that maintains an intimate relationship with the natural world, aligning with the stoic principle of living in harmony with nature. This philosophy serves as a counterbalance to the often mechanistic aspects of modern business. Our unique approach leverages technology not to determine reality, but to translate the language of nature in ways that allow us to operate in harmony with it. We use algorithms as tools for co-design with nature, bridging the gap between different scales and fostering a more holistic understanding of our world.
© Hiroyuki Masuyama, C.D. Friedrich, Der Watzmann, 1824/ 2007
Embracing Aporia
At Arsenale, we value the concept of aporia – the state of productive puzzlement that leads to new insights. We believe that the most valuable questions are those to which we don't know the answers until we see things differently. This approach drives our innovation and problem-solving processes. Our team is committed to ethical leadership and community involvement, working together to achieve a shared vision of innovation and growth.
Through our work, we aim to contribute to the reimagining and restructuring of the economic and industrial fabric of modern civilisation, always with an eye towards sustainability and harmony with nature.
The Arsenale Collective
Our cross-disciplinary team is a diverse mix of determined professionals, who are intellectually curious and daring. By bringing together 10 nationalities, with an average age of 37 with 10 years standard deviation, we purposely rely on a powerful diversity of thinking to challenge the status quo.
We work from our pilot facility in Pordenone, Italy, north of Venice, where ZERO Farms, an extended member of our collective, is also located. There, we leverage their industrial infrastructure, across multiple dimensions.
We are a Stoic Corporation
At Arsenale, we use the Stoic virtues as a guiding framework to shape our behaviour and culture.
By valuing practical wisdom, we make thoughtful decisions and foster critical thinking that leads to innovation. Courage enables us to take risks and embrace change, driving progress and adaptability. Justice ensures fairness and integrity in our interactions, promoting ethical and respectful relationships. Temperance helps us maintain self-discipline and balance, manage stress and achieve healthy collaboration.
By embracing the dichotomy of control, we focus on what we can control - our thoughts, actions and reactions - while letting go of what we cannot. This enables us to remain resilient and calm, and to channel our efforts into meaningful and constructive endeavors.
Together, these virtues foster an environment of mutual respect, personal growth and collective success, consistent with our commitment to innovation, collaboration and ethical leadership.
Bringing talent from around the world to Italy
HEADQUARTERS
Arsenale Bioyards srl.
Via Durini 18, 20122 Milano, Italy
LABS & PILOT FACILITY
Arsenale Bioyards srl.
Via Pietro Bassani 1, 33170 Pordenone, Italy
US SUBSIDIARY
Arsenale Bioyards LLC.
1935 Addison Street, Ste A, Berkley, CA 94704, USA
Join the Arsenale Collective
At Arsenale, we’re at the forefront of a new era in biomanufacturing by making precision fermentation viable at an industrial scale. We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience. Our recruitment focuses on talent in engineering, artificial intelligence, research and development, production, and bioprocessing. View our job board or send us your application below.