Startup Creation Lab 2026

Phase 1 — Online 17:00 – 19:00 · 2 hours per session

• 13 October 2026 Tuesday

  What does it mean to build a business?

  Gianluca Dettori Bio

  Gianluca Dettori has worked in the Internet sector since 1994 and with startups and businesses since 1998. He is the founder and chairman of Primomiglio SGR, an investment firm authorized by the Bank of Italy operating in early-stage venture capital. Primomiglio SGR launched Barcamper Ventures, its first technology venture capital fund. In 2006 he founded dpixel, a technology venture capital advisory firm running consulting projects in the startup space alongside major partners.

  He began working as an angel investor in 2003, has funded and co-founded several startups and is active as an investor with more than twenty investments in the Internet and software sectors. A graduate in economics and business from the University of Turin, he is the founder of the IAB (Internet Advertising Bureau) in Italy, of First Generation Network and Techgarage Association, and a Fulbright mentor.

• 20 October 2026 Tuesday

  Innovation scenarios — Data Driven Innovation

  Nino Letteriello Bio

  Nino Letteriello is an international expert in Data, AI and Project Management. Chairman of the Italian Data Management Association and Chair of the Scientific Committee of the European Data Think Tank, he works with international organizations including the World Economic Forum, Forbes and the United Nations. He received the DAMA International Excellence Award 2020 and was listed among the 100 most influential people worldwide in data & analytics in 2021. Since 2024 he has been Professor of Management at the University of Modena and has taught as a Visiting Professor at institutions such as MIT and the University of Chicago.

  He has built substantial experience managing large infrastructure projects and international events, including the modernization of the London Underground, Tideway, the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He is also co-founder of FIT Group, a consulting and training firm specializing in AI, data and project management.

• 22 October 2026 Thursday

  What does innovating mean? A deep dive through robotics and AI

  Leandro Agrò Bio

  Physical AI and Robotics, IP-to-Product, Partnerships, Thought Leadership and Commercialization. Based in Palo Alto, California, Leandro Agrò works with SRI’s IP Commercialization team on AI and robotics partnerships for Italy and Europe. He leads INNOVIT’s Space, IoT/Hardware & Robotics program and advises startups in California and Italy, all focused on AI and robotics.

  As Director of Exponential Technologies at NTT Disruption in San Francisco, California, 2020–2023, he led product development for Cokoon and LiveDeck, combining spatial computing and Physical AI. His career follows a succession of pioneering projects: the first 3G mobile interaction model; some of the earliest full-body 3D virtual assistants, long before Siri; early patented eye-tracking interfaces with SRLABS in Milan, Italy; and the first industrial edge computer with Nebbiolo in Milpitas, California. Co-founding WideTag in Redwood City, California, and working with ABB were further steps on his path from IoT to Physical AI.

  His virtual-assistant design materials were accepted for acquisition by the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. His projects have earned Good Design, Red Dot and WebAwards, alongside ADI Index and Compasso d’Oro selections and Apple Design Project recognition. He has received over 100 media mentions, including coverage by CNN, The New York Times, and WIRED. His record includes patents in HCI, eye-tracking and social sensing, two books, contributions to twelve more and over 100 talks. He writes about AI and robotics on Substack.

• 27 October 2026 Tuesday

  Validating a business idea quickly

  Oleksandr Sasha Komarevych Bio

  With 12 years of experience across startups, community and communication, he works on acceleration programs, investor network development and the building of innovation ecosystems. He currently manages a portfolio of more than 65 early-stage startups, supporting them in growth and fundraising and connecting them with investors and stakeholders.

  He has run 9 acceleration programs at B4i, contributing to the growth of more than 60 startups that have raised over 32 million euros in total. He is also the founder of startupReporter.eu, an independent media outlet covering the European startup ecosystem, and of Sports Rebels Club, a community of more than 600 founders, investors and professionals.