Great news for the Italian ecosystem. One of the world's most important private equity funds, TPG, acquires control of Italian Musixmatch "I've always bet on talent. And now the Americans are betting on us." Max Ciociola, a 43-year-old serial entrepreneur from Puglia, founded Musixmatch, the world's largest database of music lyrics, in 2010.

Starting from a Google search ("I had noticed that the most searched word, after Facebook and YouTube, was 'lyrics'") he created a model company, as attractive as Ducati or Ferrari. 80 million customers, 120 employees (three days a year takes them all to the Dolomites). Italian company, 100% American turnover. It is considered one of Europe's 100 new promises, the next unicorn according to Viva Tech. He did it all from Bologna.

"I never complained about governments, inefficiencies and capital. As so many do. I focus on talent. Italian and international.

Talent is 1.3 kg of brains. I am a headhunter. I look for it everywhere. In universities, I hang out with faculty, students, I show up at graduation parties. We get 4,000 applications a year."

TPG becomes the new majority shareholder of Musixmatch. All shareholders remain. Management is confirmed. Ciociola remains at the helm as CEO.

"Within 10 years, our country's GDP will be heavily impacted by companies born after 2020. The point? Those who govern us will never understand this world because they don't have the skills. But innovation can start from the bottom..."

To those who are trying what would you say? "Isolate yourself with your team. It takes focus, sacrifice and the choice to target global markets. I see too many founders more focused on telling people they are among Forbes' 30 under 30 than on building the team or their own idea."

To those who believed in Musixmatch from the beginning, what do you say today? "A great sportsman said, 'It's not about me and you. It's about us."