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The B4i pre-acceleration program has played a key role in turning our business idea into reality through diverse, interactive training sessions and the access to the invaluable network of the Bocconi community.
Giulio Simone and Irene Simone, Zero Impack
The pre-accelerator program was the first step towards becoming a real company. We found full support from the team, and achieved a growth that projected us into the future. We are extremely grateful for that challenging but fulfilling experience.
Antonella Viggiano and Benedetta Fanelli, Khooa
The pre-acceleration program really helped us to hone in on critical areas of our business, and also gave us access to an incredible network of mentors and advisors, many of whom we are still in touch with even after the end of the program!
Dayana Yermolayeva and David Linsey, JiPay
The Pre-Acceleration program is a unique opportunity to turn your business ideas into reality, supported by a network of professionals with extensive experience in creating successful startups.
Clarice Buonsante, Tipicality
The Pre-Acceleration program is one of the best opportunities for young startups in Italy. Thanks to B4i, we understood how you can shift from Idea to Startup in the right way.
Alessandro Puppo, Green Games
Our Pre-Accelerator is a 3-month training program designed for aspiring entrepreneurs who are working on an early stage business idea. It aims at helping them develop an MVP (minimum viable product), validate their business and plan a go-to-market strategy.
Sessions, in the format of practical training and lectures, will cover different aspects of starting up a business, from customer discovery and market assessment to business model and MVP design, operations and financial planning. While attending the program, entrepreneurs will be supported by a dedicated mentor and have access to legal support and dedicated perks.
The program is held twice a year and welcomes up to 20 teams per batch. It is completely free and runs online: Saturday morning sessions and evening workshops during the week. This allows entrepreneurs who work or study full-time to participate.
There will also be face-to-face networking events at Bocconi University throughout the program (these events might be held online if f2f will not be viable).
Some highlights from our 6th batch
300+
applications
15
selected teams made of 3 members on average
55+
hours of training
20
speakers
1 or 2
mentors assigned to each team
75+
mentorship sessions
The sixth batch of the Pre-Acceleration program will end in December 2022, after 3 months full of learning, iteration and knowledge sharing.
The participants are from a diverse range of age groups and educational and professional backgrounds, enriching the peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Entrepreneurs and professionals with consolidated experience have shared their knowledge and insights, and this has contributed to delivering high value content for all participants.
To mark the end of the program, in February, selected teams will participate in a Demo Day pitching their ideas in front of a panel of experts and potential investors.
Applications deadline
The application period closes and our team begins the process of candidates selection
Start of the program
The selected candidates begin their 3-month program
End of the program
The initial ideas of entrepreneurs have now taken the form of a minimum viable product
Demo day
Participants will pitch their ideas in front of a panel of evaluators including potential investors, customers and advisors
Our application calls open twice a year in May and November.
Duccio Alberti
Associate Professor, SDA Bocconi School of Management
Giovanni Berti
Partner, Corporate Hangar
Luca Foresti
CEO, Centro Medico Santagostino
Claudia Parzani
Partner, Linklaters
Davide Reina
Professor, SDA Bocconi School of Management
Nader Sabbaghian
General Partner, 360 Capital
Alessandro Tanno
Managing Associate, Linklaters
Francesco Ecclesie
Operations Manager, Le Wagon Italy
Rossano Gagliardi
Independent Consultant
Jegor Levkovskiy
Independent Consultant
Paolo Lombardi
Independent Consultant
Guido Magrin
CEO & Co-founder, teiacare
Marco Morelli
Professor of Management Accounting and Control Systems, SDA Bocconi
Filippo Satolli
Co-founder, Instal
Federica Destro
Program & Community Specialist - Open Accelerator, Zambon
Manlio Longinotti
Business Development Manager, SANS EMEA
Fabio Malanchini
Founder and Board Member, IMPACTAGE
Mariangela Squarciafico
Junior Research Analyst, Openzone
Giuseppe Tamola
General Manager Europe, Sunday
Sabino Costanza
Risk & Strategy Officer - Co-founder, Credimi
Alessandro Basile
Managing Partner and Legal Advisor, AB Innovation Consulting
Sara Bellini
Associate Design Director, Frog
Leonardo Berlingieri
Commercial and Marketing Leadership, InPost
Paolo Calandra
General Manager, Neauvia
Marco Gullà
Investment Analyst, HTH
Guido Magrin
CEO, TeiaCare
Giovanni Moruzzi
Managing Director, Merrill Lynch
Luca Nardi
Market & Fundraising, Enry's Island
Paola Parolo
Head of Digital Marketing & Analytics, Velasca
David Tacconi
CEO, Euleria
Mikkel Draebye
Professor - Strategy & Entrepreneurship, SDA Bocconi
Steven Pace
Business Development Director
Jody Saglia
CTO, Movendo
Filippo Satolli
Co-founder, Instal
Guido Teot
Sales Director Italy, LINK Mobility Group
Manuela Zanin
CEO & Founder, Luky
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
The more we know, the greater the opportunities that open up to us. B4i Curated Content is our selection of news, insights and content worth reading from the world of innovation, venture capital and startups, handpicked and curated by our team. Enjoy the reading!
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