July 10, 2025

A Transformative Journey into Entrepreneurship

466 applicants. 66 selected. 36 made it to the end.

These are the numbers of the first edition of the Future Founders Program: an initiative led by Augusto Coppola and designed for the most ambitious aspiring entrepreneurs.

But who are they? What did they experience during the program? And how has this journey transformed their lives?

Let’s find out through the insights of four founders who not only completed the program but also stepped onto the B4i Demo Day stage, pitching their startup ideas in front of an audience of over 200 people.

1. Asia Corradi | Founder @Maverick

"Future Founders was an intense and transformative journey that truly teaches you what it means to build a startup from the ground up — with nothing taken for granted. You’re immersed in a high-energy environment where collaboration is the norm, ideas are shared openly, and growth is a shared mission.

It’s a space where you can challenge yourself, receive honest feedback from the team and fellow founders, and gain clarity on both your strengths and where you need to improve.

What stood out the most was the authenticity of the community and the chance to connect with inspiring people across the startup ecosystem. Between pitch sessions, product demos, early conversations with investors, and high-pressure moments, FF25 constantly pushes you past your comfort zone — helping you grow not only as a founder but also as a person".

Maverick in a nutshell: Maverick is a security and performance monitoring platform for conversational AI. It safeguards conversational agents interactions in real time, ensuring they respond accurately, securely, and in compliance with regulations. Maverick filters malicious prompts, tracks key metrics, and delivers actionable insights all in one streamlined SaaS solution.

2. Vito Guglielmino | Founder @Refinea

"What stood out to me most about the Future Founders Program were the people. I met incredibly smart, driven individuals I genuinely want to keep close - the kind of people who push you to aim higher.

The program equipped me with essential skills for anyone looking to build something meaningful: discipline, time management, how to handle stress, and a constant drive for improvement.

Most importantly, it gave me the courage and practical tools to take the first real step toward launching my startup. Something that would’ve been much harder without FFP".

Future Founders wasn’t just a program: it was a mindset shift.

Refinea in a nutshell: as more and more people turn to artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT not only to find information but also to make purchasing decisions, Refinea helps companies stay visible. We monitor whether and how a brand is mentioned in AI-generated responses and show how to appear more often.

3. Zigrida Alushaj | Founder @X-QUO

"During the Future Founders Program, I was deeply inspired by the conversations with founders and professionals who have already built successful businesses. The program was hands-on, with each topic explored in depth through real-world case studies.

One of the most valuable takeaways was understanding that the culture of risk in entrepreneurship isn’t about avoiding it - it’s about managing and embracing it strategically.

That mindset shift has been instrumental in shaping how I now approach building and scaling a startup".

X-QUO in a nutshell: X-QUO is a secondary marketplace for tokenized financial products, built to give financial institutions and their clients access to these products. Just like internet transformed trading, X-QUO is revolutionizing global finance by providing the missing infrastructure to instantly trade tokenized assets. X-QUO bridges the gap between traditional and decentralized finance.

4. Camila Benitez | Founder @Shapes

"The Future Founders Program gives you everything you need to succeed, and Augusto makes sure you’re strong enough to handle it.

They know your odds can improve, and they teach you how. But the most thrilling (and terrifying) part of being a founder is the uncertainty. That’s why having people around you who share your ambition, understand the journey, and bring real experience makes all the difference".

Shapes in a nutshell: Shapes is a medical simulation platform that supports doctors in managing chronic diseases like autoimmune conditions. It uses AI, scientific literature, and digital patient profiles to let doctors test and compare treatment options in a safe, virtual environment — making it easier to apply the latest research to real-world care.

---

Want to stay up to date on the Future Founders program? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news on future editions!