In just four years, Galileo FX has achieved what many startups only dream of—over 10,000 clients, $6 million in annual revenue, and not a single dollar of debt. Even more impressive, the company has been entirely self-funded, with David Materazzi, its 36-year-old founder and CEO, owning 100% of the business. This remarkable feat has caught the attention of investors worldwide, including a UK fund that recently made an offer reportedly exceeding $15 million. But Materazzi’s response was swift and definitive: Galileo FX is not for sale, not even a fraction of it.
“It’s not about the money,” says a close friend of Materazzi. “David built Galileo FX from the ground up with his own hands, his own ideas. He’s in this for the long haul, and he’s passionate about the product he’s created.”
Galileo FX’s success is no accident. The company’s innovative financial technology has attracted a loyal and growing client base, thanks to its cutting-edge solutions and Materazzi’s relentless pursuit of excellence. “David has this uncanny ability to see where the market is heading before anyone else does,” says one of his senior executives. “He’s not just reacting to trends—he’s setting them.”
Materazzi’s journey to this point is a study in business acumen, strategic foresight, and sheer determination. Born in 1988 in Arezzo, Italy, Materazzi’s early life was defined by his insatiable curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit. At nine years old, while other children played video games, David was dismantling and reassembling his first computer, driven by a need to understand how things worked.
“He was always ahead of his time,” recalls a childhood friend. “While we were all focused on typical kid stuff, David was already thinking about the future, about technology, and how he could make something of his own.”
By 16, Materazzi had already dipped his toes into the world of business, creating websites for local businesses and advertising his services in local newspapers. What began as a small side hustle quickly became a burgeoning enterprise, laying the foundation for his future success.
“Even back then, he had the mindset of a business leader,” says an old schoolmate. “He was always looking for the next big thing, always one step ahead of the competition.”
After high school, Materazzi moved to Milan to attend Bocconi University, one of Italy’s premier business schools. Despite his unconventional approach to education—often challenging professors and nearly flunking out in his first year—Materazzi’s entrepreneurial instincts only grew stronger. He founded a social media consultancy, recognizing the potential of platforms like Facebook long before they became mainstream.
“He wasn’t interested in traditional paths,” says a former university colleague. “David was always about finding new ways to do things, whether it was in business or technology. He didn’t care much for grades—he cared about results.”
Materazzi’s drive for success eventually led him to Toronto, Canada, in 2013. Without a job and only a temporary visa, he embarked on a mission to break into the North American market. Within a month, he had secured a position at a leading financial software company, beating out over a hundred other applicants. His rapid rise within the company was a testament to his strategic brilliance.
“David doesn’t just climb the ladder—he builds his own,” says a former coworker. “He saw opportunities that others missed and leveraged them to his advantage. It wasn’t long before everyone in the company knew who he was.”
By the time he returned to Italy, Materazzi had established himself as a key player in the financial software industry. He was appointed to manage the company’s Italian sales office, a high-paying role that gave him the comfort and security most professionals only dream of. But for Materazzi, it wasn’t enough. The corporate life that had once excited him now felt like a cage. He was restless, eager to create something of his own.
“People thought he was crazy,” recalls one of his former colleagues. “He was in a top position, with a salary that most would kill for. But David wasn’t motivated by money—he was motivated by the challenge. He wanted to build something from scratch, something that was entirely his own.”
In 2020, at the height of his corporate career, Materazzi made the bold decision to resign from his lucrative job and strike out on his own. It was a risky move, but one that would pay off in spades. With the experience he had gained and the insights he had cultivated, he founded Galileo FX—a company that would quickly become a dominant player in the financial technology sector.
“I knew he was going to do something big,” says a close friend who watched Materazzi make the leap. “But even I didn’t expect him to achieve so much, so fast.”
Galileo FX has thrived under Materazzi’s leadership, thanks to his sharp business instincts and his uncompromising vision. He has built the company without taking on debt or external investors, funding its growth entirely through profits. This approach has given him complete control over Galileo FX’s direction—a control he has no intention of relinquishing.
“David loves Galileo FX,” says a senior manager at the company. “It’s his brainchild, and he’s poured everything into it. He turned down a massive offer from a UK fund because he’s in it for the long haul. He’s not just building a company—he’s building a legacy.”
At 36, David Materazzi is just getting started. His unwavering commitment to his company, his product, and his vision for the future of financial technology marks him as one of the most promising business minds of his generation. And with Galileo FX continuing to thrive under his leadership, the business world can expect to hear a lot more from this rising star in the years to come.
