Team

Phone: +41 58 666 46 19
e-mail: [email protected]

Marco supports incubated startups in the ICT sector and builds connections between research and market, scouting promising technologies emerging from university labs. Previously, he co-founded Stagend SA, a startup in the events industry, where he experienced several pivots and participated in multiple startup support programmes first-hand. Between 2015 and 2017, Marco coached entrepreneurs in the Innosuisse Business Creation programme. He holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems from University of Lausanne (HEC), where he studied under Professor Yves Pigneur, co-author of Business Model Generation, and contributed as a tester in the development of the Business Model Canvas.

Phone: +41 58 666 4236
e-mail: [email protected]

Anastasia leads our community building and communication efforts, helping create connections between students, researchers, entrepreneurs and the broader ecosystem, and supporting incubated startups in crafting compelling stories to make their projects known. Previously, she worked at GoBeyond, a pan-European angel investor network, where she managed marketing and communications, and at the Swiss Finance + Technology Association, contributing to the development of Switzerland’s FinTech ecosystem. She holds a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and a Master’s in Management from Università della Svizzera italiana (USI).

Phone: +41 58 666 4706
e-mail: [email protected]

Umberto provides initial feedback and supports early-stage founders through initiatives offered by the USI Startup Centre, drawing on over 20 years of experience in startup coaching. He is also a member of the organising team of the Boldbrain Startup Challenge. Umberto has been working at USI since 2000, as part of the original team of the ALaRI Institute (embedded systems design) and the Centro Promozione Start-Up, contributing to several national and international projects, and as a Technology Transfer Consultant. Umberto holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and an Executive Master’s in Information Technology (Electronic Design Automation) from Politecnico di Milano, and has authored or co-authored multiple papers and a patent in embedded systems.

Phone: +41 58 666 4302
e-mail: [email protected]

Sabina is in charge of the Centre administration and day-to-day operations. Previously, she has worked at the Faculty of Informatics, supporting faculty members and students and serving as the head of the Business Travel Desk. Before joining USI, she gained valuable experience in administrative roles both in Ticino and abroad. Sabina obtained her Commercial Diploma (Maturità commerciale) from SCC Bellinzona. 

Phone: +41 58 666 4140
e-mail: [email protected]

Michela supports incubated startups in the Life Sciences sector, helping transform scientific discoveries into products that create a tangible impact on patients and healthcare systems. Previously, she was Venture & Business Development Manager at Ospedale San Raffaele, where she coordinated patent valorisation and licensing activities and guided clinical teams through spin-off creation and fundraising. Prior to that, she worked in a deeptech venture capital firm, scouting and evaluating promising academic technologies. Michela also has a background as a researcher at Harvard Medical School and the Italian Institute of Technology. She holds an MBA, degrees in Biology and Neurobiology, and a Diploma in Professional Counseling, which she leverages to support founders throughout their startup journey.

Phone: +41 58 666 4582
e-mail: [email protected]

Francesco is leading the team of USI Startup Centre, alongside his other roles as professor of Corporate Communication at the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society and academic director of the Master in Corporate Communication. Trained as an economist, he earned his PhD from the University of Fribourg. Previously, he worked in different roles in the public and private sectors and regularly does consulting in the field of Communication Management.

Phone: +41 58 666 4230
e-mail: [email protected]

Francesco manages the entrepreneurship education programmes offered by USI Startup Centre and oversees the Centre administration. Furthermore, he coordinates the implementation of Innosuisse Entrepreneurship Training programme in Ticino, for which USI is an official training partner. Previously, he worked at SUPSI in the area of innovation management, business and entrepreneurship, supporting several startups and contributing to various Bachelor’s and Master’s courses. Francesco obtained both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Management from the University of Lausanne (HEC), with major in entrepreneurship and innovation management.

Phone: +41 58 666 4708
e-mail: [email protected]

Samuele manages the startup incubation programme and coordinates team activities to enhance the support provided to incubated startups, leveraging his experience in technology transfer, innovation processes, and innovative ecosystems. Alongside his role at USI Startup Centre, Samuele collaborates with the Italian Institute of Technology, where he supports life science startups and competitive-funded technological projects. Previously, he worked with other leading Italian research institutions like Bruno Kessler Foundation at the University of Trento and collaborated on technological innovation projects for the Israeli Ministry of Economy, fostering commercial relations between Israeli and Italian companies in the greentech sector. Samuele holds a Master’s degree in Economics and International Politics from Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.