Jakob Fugger had already been representing his family business in Venice in 1473 at the age of fourteen, according to a document from the Austrian state archive

Other research showed that Fugger spent the years between 1473 and 1487 mostly at the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, the house of German merchants in Venice.

Venice being one of the most important centers of trade at the time proves to be an ideal environment for Fugger's education in banking and the metal trade.

His long residence in Italy also helps bring the renaissance style to the German region, with him funding the construction of the first buildings of this style that originated in Italy.

Legal and architectural structures of Venice will also have a significant influence on the funding of the Fuggerei, which is similar to the social housing of Venice.