Nextalia: The Family-Backed Catalyst for Italy's Energy Transition and Private Equity Boom

Italy's private equity landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by visionary firms like Nextalia SGR S.p.A., which is leveraging strategic alliances with influential family dynasties to catalyze sustainable industrial consolidation and energy transition. At the heart of this movement is Nextalia's ability to partner with family-led enterprises—such as the Cracco family behind Westrafo S.r.l.—to unlock growth in sectors pivotal to Italy's economic future.

The Power of Family Networks in Private Equity

Family dynasties like the Craccos, Morattis, and Gavios have long been pillars of Italy's industrial fabric. While Nextalia's recent acquisitions focus prominently on the Cracco family's Westrafo—a leader in energy-efficient transformers—the broader trend underscores how these familial networks are now pivotal to channeling capital into sustainable infrastructure.

The Westrafo deal exemplifies this dynamic. Nextalia's acquisition of a majority stake in 2025—while retaining the Cracco family's minority role and leadership—bridges generational expertise with institutional capital. This model not only preserves the entrepreneurial spirit of family firms but also accelerates their global ambitions.

Energy Transition as the New Gold Rush

Italy's private equity market is betting big on the energy transition. reveals a 120% surge in funding, with sectors like battery storage and grid infrastructure leading the charge. Nextalia's focus on Westrafo—a supplier to renewable energy projects worldwide—positions it at the epicenter of this boom.

Westrafo's 40% annual revenue growth over five years (to €100M) and its global footprint (Italy, Ghana, U.S.) exemplify the scalability of firms aligned with sustainability goals. The company's transformers are critical to solar, wind, and data center projects, directly supporting the UN's SDGs.

A Playbook for Sustainable Industrial Consolidation

Nextalia's strategy extends beyond single acquisitions. Its Nextalia Capitale Rilancio fund, for instance, consolidated Italy's veterinary sector into the Ca' Zampa Group—a move that mirrors its energy plays. By creating national champions in fragmented industries, Nextalia taps into sector consolidation as a growth lever.

The firm's partnerships with institutions like Intesa Sanpaolo and Unipol Assicurazioni amplify its reach, while its ESGNext framework ensures investments align with environmental imperatives. This approach is paying off: Nextalia's AUM has hit €1.5B, with a new €150M venture fund targeting B2B startups in energytech and agritech.

Why Act Now?

The window for capitalizing on Italy's energy transition is narrowing. With the EU's Fit for 55 agenda and Italy's own €17.7B grid modernization plan (Terna's 2024–2028 roadmap), the next 18 months will see unprecedented M&A activity.

Nextalia's track record—combining family-led operational excellence with institutional firepower—makes it uniquely positioned to dominate this space. Investors who move swiftly can secure stakes in firms like Westrafo, which are already scaling to meet global demand.

Final Call: Invest in Italy's Future

The confluence of family expertise, private equity capital, and regulatory tailwinds creates a rare opportunity. Nextalia's model—proven through Westrafo's meteoric rise and the Ca' Zampa consolidation—offers a blueprint for sustainable growth.

For investors, the choice is clear: back Nextalia's vision, or risk missing the Italian energy renaissance.

The time to act is now—before the next wave of consolidation leaves latecomers behind.