Every day you have to deal with clients’ demands, product development, market tests, and several other obstacles. B4i was fundamental to identify the best stairs and tools to overcome the impressive wall that everyone has to face sooner than later.
Giacomo Salvanelli, Mine CrimeBuilding a startup is an incredibly challenging journey, and without proper planning, working structure, and tracking system, you are likely to get lost quite easily. B4i gave us the tools to make sure we did not fall into this trap.
Daniele Calvo Pollino, Mapo TapoB4i helped us transform an idea into a structured organization with ambitious targets. Together, we undertook a journey aimed at developing entrepreneurship at its best.
Lorenzo Cinelli, ConvivAll sessions, speakers and topics were carefully chosen. Having the opportunity to listen and interact with top entrepreneurs and brilliant minds is incredibly valuable.
Francesco Maria Serino, Doctors in ItalyThe B4i Accelerator is a 4-month structured program to bring your startup from prototype stage to product-market fit.
Entrepreneurs will be expected to dedicate a full-time effort to the program, through which we’ll help you define your product, complete the team, connect to industry experts and advisors, and ultimately fundraise.
Applications deadline
The application period closes and our team begins the process of candidates selection
Start of the program
The selected candidates begin their 4-month program
End of the program
The teams end the 18-week program
Demo day
Selected startups present their pitch in front of a community of angels and VC funds to fundraise for their company’s next stage
Our application calls open twice a year in May and November.
The program is open to anyone (it is not necessary to be a Bocconi student) anywhere, but to be eligible you must have:
We select mission-driven entrepreneurs who understand their customers and can execute on their vision.
Our accelerator’s goal is to remove obstacles in the company creation process while facilitating networking, knowledge and business opportunities.
Don’t expect us to build the business for you!
By joining the B4i Accelerator, entrepreneurs will be part of a platform of expertise and services specifically designed to help them scale.
The Legal Clinics are a special program of Bocconi University offering professional legal assistance to support your business. In collaboration with established Italian law firms and notary offices, we provide free legal counseling to the startups participating in the Pre-Acceleration and Acceleration programs.
We offer deeper knowledge and specialized support and network on 3 specific vertical tracks.
This vertical focuses on the main enabling technologies available today that are applicable to a wide array of industries. Examples include: B2B + B2C software, cybersecurity, fintech, insuretech, deep tech,
e-commerce/marketplaces and AI.
Massimo Della Ragione
Head of Digital Tech Vertical,
Professor of Practice at Bocconi University
We look for projects focusing on internationally scalable Italian excellences alongside creative industries like Food, Fashion, Design, Industry 4.0, and Arts, Culture and Leisure.
Gabriella Lojacono
Head of Made in Italy Vertical,
Director Executive Master in Luxury Management, EMiLUX
The reach of our accelerator extends to climate-compatible businesses solving some of the world’s biggest problems, such as mitigating the climate emergency, developing new materials, shifting to an efficient, circular model, advancing on clean energy, and more.
Stefano Pogutz
Head of Sustainability Vertical,
Director Full Time MBA 2022
Manlio Accardo
Founder and CEO, Sailogy
Ottavio Maria Campigli
Partner, Badenoch + Clark Executive
Giuseppe Caputo
CFO, Casavo
Ilaria Cavalleri
Investment Manager, Cenciarini & Co.
Maria De Lourdes Zollo
Product Marketing Manager, Twitter
Giacomo De Lorenzo
Product Manager & Accountable Lead, Klarna
Erika De Santi
Co-Founder & Managing Director, WeRoad
Francesco Ecclesie
Operations Manager, LeWagon
Fabio Forghieri
Founder of Boolean Careers, Boolean Careers
Giulia Gazzelloni
Product Manager, lastminute.com
Matteo Ghedini
Innovation & Sustainability Consultant
Michele Giannotta
Engineering Manager, Klarna
Pietro Invernizzi
Investor, Stride.VC
Priscilla Lanotte
Motion Graphic Designer, Bending Spoons
Jegor Levkovskiy
Independent Consultant
Anna Magiera
Senior Partner, Startups & Venture Business, Finance PM
Mauro Maltagliati
Partner, Your Digital
Marco Marlia
CEO, MotorK
Kenan Muhovic
Creator of GrillMyPitch
Steven Pace
Strategic Business Consultant
Betty Pagnin
People & Culture Director, OneDay Group
Bénédicte Peillon
Evolution Guide & International Catalyst, Nativa
Stefano Pisoni
Entrepreneur & Digital Marketing Strategist
Giorgio Ponticelli
Chief International Development Officer, Satispay
Paul Romero
Freelancer
Nader Sabbaghian
General Partner, 360 Capital
Jaga Santagostino
Software Architecture Consultant
Tommaso Solesin
Head of Sales and Business Development, Apical
Riccardo Suardi
CEO & Founder, Nibol
Antonio Trapani
Lead Engineer, Klarna
Simone Vespucci
Senior Partnership Manager, Degusta Box
Manuela Zanin
Business Angel and Startup Advisor
By joining the Bocconi community, founders will have access to the services that are usually dedicated to students and staff.
Many of the Bocconi Alumni are founders themselves, if not investors or managers. Entrepreneurs will benefit from the vast expertise and learn from the diverse experiences of the Alumni who are part of our community.
While working on campus, entrepreneurs will have access to a vast array of databases from the Bocconi Library (in-person access only), gaining that competitive edge when assessing users, investors and competitors.
If you are a Bocconi Alumnus interested in scouting and investing in early stage companies on an individual basis, consider becoming an Alumnus Angel. Since most of our startups begin looking for funding as they complete the Acceleration program, we are opening a communication channel to provide selected information to angel investors within the Alumni community.
Learn more
Being a mentor is an engaging way of sharing your skills, supporting innovative startups and expanding your business network. At B4i we are always looking for experienced and willing professionals ready to get involved and contribute to the development of business innovation.
Find out what we offer and what it takes to join us.
Learn more