Innovation Economist and Lead Sector Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Matteo Grazzi is an Innovation Economist and Lead Sector Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Over the past 20 years, he has held research, operational, and leadership roles, including more than 15 years designing and managing programs that promote science, technology, innovation, and the creative economy across Latin America and the Caribbean. His research explores how innovation, technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship drive productive development, with a particular focus on developing economies. Throughout his career, he has sought to translate rigorous research into actionable public policy, supporting governments in the design, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based innovation policies. He is co-author of Public Policies for Creativity and Innovation: Promoting the Orange Economy in Latin America and the Caribbean, a policy framework that has informed the development of creative economy strategies across the region. He is also co-founder and a member of the Scientific Committee of the Latin American and Caribbean Network on the Economics of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (RIE). He holds a PhD in International Economics and Law from Bocconi University and an MA in Development Economics from the University of Sussex.
