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Abstract: The article aims to understand the role of the familial society in the Venetian economy of the Renaissance period. This institution will be analysed thanks to two case-studies from the late Quattrocento Venice: The Foscaris and Michiels firms. The purpose is to understand how the Republic was able to face the growing difficulties posed by international markets, while maintaining the small fraterna ( the familial firm) as the base of its economy. In order to do so, the fraternal will be examined in the light of the strong state intervention, with institutions such as public navigation, and other private contracts, as joint ventures and agency relations. These elements provided the small Venetian companies the necessary tools to avoid changes in firm’s structures and to keep the necessary flexibility for being competitive on foreign markets.

Keywords: Renaissance; Venice, Fraterna; Navigation; Companies