Leonardo da Vinci was as much a serial entrepreneur as an artist. The Medici, Sforza, and King Francis provided him with start-up capital and political support the way a venture capitalist might a brilliant young innovator today. Like a modern-day Silicon Valley visionary, Leonardo saw only a small percentage of his creations come to fruition. But those that did changed the world.

The U.S. Consulate in Florence was established exactly 300 years after the death of Leonardo. A theme of our bicentennial celebrations this year is the shared curiosity that has sparked innovative ideas and entrepreneurial collaboration over the centuries.