Faculty

DEAN OF FACULTY – UNIVERSITY OF CHICHESTER 

Matthew Cooper is a renowned and innovative academic leader with extensive experience in all aspects of Higher Education and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has a particular skill and passion for curriculum development and design, having successfully validated 109 programs over the past nine years, including undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, in-person, blended learning, distance learning, and micro-certifications.

ASSOCIATE DEAN OF FACULTY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR

An expert manager, advisor, and educator, he helps executives, government officials, entrepreneurs, and students understand the fast-changing competitive landscape, design future-proof strategies, and effectively lead future-ready organisations, seizing the opportunities and challenges of turbulent environments increasingly dominated by digital business. He strongly believes in the importance of harmonising theory, practise, and skills.

He practises meditation regularly and has been a meditation teacher since 2007. He plays the electric guitar in a blues-rock band with friends.

Raffaele Testorelli is the Associate Dean of the Faculty and the director of the following programs:

BSc in International Business Studies
BSc in AI & Sports Management
BSc in Business Creation & Entrepreneurship
MSc in International Business
MSc in Entrepreneurship, Startups & Innovation
MSc in AI for Business Transformation

LINKEDIN PROFILE

With 25 years of experience, Alessandro is a veteran in the Technology industry, focusing on Digital Transformation in the Global Arena, holding CEO / MD positions with focus on Business Development, Commercial Strategy, Channels, Partnerships and Sales. He spent the last 20 years living, working and sturying in the UK and also in the US, Singapore, Germany, France, Hungary, Spain. Alessandro is adept at ‘joining the dots’ between Technology Players, Telecom Communication Providers, Digital Disruptors and Ecosystems.

Alessandro Adriani is program director of the BSc in Digital Economics & Finance and the BSc in Marketing & Global Commerce. 

Alberto Antinucci is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in China.
Specialized in business strategy, digital marketing, and intercultural management, he offers unparalleled insights into the Chinese market.Antinucci aids international brands in navigating business in China. His work spans Southeast Asia, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, and the USA. As a H-FARM College professor, his interactive teaching draws from extensive real-world experience.

Diego Babuder is a Captain at easyJet, where he has flown since 2013.

He recently completed a four-year joint PhD in Management Engineering with easyJet and Politecnico di Milano, focusing on aviation.

In addition to his flying career, Diego serves as a sustainability spokesperson for easyJet, representing the airline at international conferences, industry panels and in the media, and as a Pilot Outreach Ambassador, inspiring future aviators through school visits, university events and youth outreach.

He has held visiting academic positions at the University of Kansas and the University of Toronto, and has lectured at Politecnico di Milano and the POLIMI Graduate School of Management.

Maurizio Binelli is an economist passionate about global economic trends. With a degree in International Finance, he has over ten years of experience in economic and financial analysis, specializing in econometric models to support investment decisions.

He has worked in investment banks and wealth management firms, developing expertise ranging from econometrics to macroeconomics and finance. He has been a speaker at numerous client meetings, where he has made complex economic concepts accessible through a data-driven approach.

When not immersed in numbers and charts, he enjoys exploring mountains and seas, contemplating the beauty of nature.

Alvise Bonivento holds a degree in Communication Technologies from the University of Padua and a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley, where he was a researcher from 2002 to 2007 specializing in embedded and wireless systems.
After experience in R&D in Silicon Valley and as a consultant for Italian companies developing industrial wireless systems (developing several robotics patents), he worked at McKinsey & Co. as an Associate from 2007 to 2009.
In 2009 he joined Atlante Ventures as Investment Manager and later Director. Since 2018 he has been a partner at Indaco Venture Partners SGR, Italy’s leading venture capital firm, where he serves as Investment Director. He sits on the board of several portfolio companies, focusing on ICT, embedded systems, and biomedical devices.

Head of Design at PagoPa full-time;
Design Thinking and UX Design Professor at H-FARM College;
Member of the Advisory board at Product Service System Design Master Degree of Politecnico di Milano.

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Stefano Brown has 25 years of experience in executive roles in the sustainability field at both national and international level, across various sectors including trade associations, consulting, retail, and luxury. He currently serves as an international consultant for a UN agency.

He leads strategic projects and partnerships focused on decarbonization, circularity, responsible supply chains, biodiversity and regulatory compliance.

He has appeared as a speaker on television and radio broadcasts, as well as at institutional and academic sustainability events.

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Francesca Bortolamei is a PhD Candidate in Management Engineering at the University of Padova, where her research focuses on eco-design and sustainability in the textile and fashion sector, with particular attention to the impact of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. She holds a Master’s Degree in Management Engineering from the University of Padova, with a thesis titled “Sustainable Product Life Cycle Management: The Central Role of Eco-Design and a Preliminary Analysis of the Contribution of Digitalization.”

Alongside her academic path, Francesca gained valuable extracurricular experience as Secretary General of a university student association, where she developed strong coordination and organizational skills by managing internal activities and fostering effective collaboration within the team. She also strengthened her communication skills by contributing to the association’s outreach and promotional initiatives.

Alessandro Bulegato is an independent visual and motion designer, art director and photographer. Trained in Visual Design at Iuav University of Venice, he later taught Motion Design and Communication Design there, serving as a Research Fellow. He works across motion design, art direction, brand identity and photography, managing the entire process from concept to final execution across digital, print and immersive media. His work has been recognized by ADI Design Index, Awwwards and CSS Design Awards.

Stefano D’Angelo is a management engineer with a PhD in corporate entrepreneurship. He is a lecturer in strategy and entrepreneurship and a consultant for companies and startups, supporting the development of innovation and entrepreneurial growth strategies. He is the author of scientific publications in international journals, book chapters and international contributions on innovation, entrepreneurship and experimentation.

Sebastiano is the Head of Corporate Learning at H-FARM Business School, managing training programs and learning events for organizations. He holds a PhD in Enterprise Engineering, and he is author of more than 15 scientific publications and organizer of 2 international conferences. Since 2018, he has been working on projects in the area of Strategy & Operational Excellence in numerous industries.

Alex Duma is the founder of Performance Flows, a performance marketing agency specializing in e-commerce.

He supports Italian and international brands in growing their online presence through Google Ads, Meta Ads, and advanced measurement systems, while also providing consulting services to other agencies in the sector.

In his work, he integrates AI tools into marketing processes on a daily basis, combining data, creativity, and technology to develop measurable growth strategies.

A graduate of the Digital Management program at H-FARM College, he now returns to the classroom as a member of the faculty. Outside of work, he is passionate about endurance sports and the mountains.

Massimo Candura is a scholar-practitioner with experience in institutional relations, national defense and international geopolitics. He is an Adjunct Professor of Geoeconomics and National Security at Link Campus University in Rome and an Administrative Specialist for the Veneto Region’s Rome office, where he works on legislative procedures and institutional strategies.

He served as a Senator of the Italian Republic during the 18th Parliamentary Term (2018–2022) and as Vice President of the Senate Defense Committee, as well as a member of the Italian delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. From 2022 to 2024, he served as Private Secretary to the Undersecretary of State for Defense, coordinating institutional relations with Parliament, ministries and strategic stakeholders.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies and Diplomatic Sciences from Link Campus, a postgraduate qualification in Diplomatic Career and International Functions from the University of Padua, and degrees in Contemporary History and Law from the University of Bologna. He has published and contributed to works on geopolitics, international security and foreign policy.

Rachele Cavara is a researcher in Innovation Management and lecturer specialising in technological and regulatory innovation in the automotive industry. She holds a PhD from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and was a Visiting PhD Scholar at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. She has taught across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, contributed to the Horizon Europe REBALANCE project, and collaborates with European policymakers and industry stakeholders on automotive innovation and environmental regulation.

Camillo is a Technical Leader and AI Specialist. His first encounter with a computer dates back to 1986, with an 8086 — and technology has been part of his life ever since. With a background in Computer Science, he has worked in the field since 2000 as a developer, solution architect, and technical leader. He collaborates with international AAA clients, managing complex technical scenarios and mentoring non-technical stakeholders through the intricacies of each project. Camillo is a passionate science lover and video game enthusiast.

Fabio Chiarani is a Computer Engineer, Senior Software Engineer and Tech Lead. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Verona.

He is the founder of Digit-Atoms, where he develops SaaS products and digital solutions for companies. Throughout his career, he has worked on a wide range of projects, from SME platforms and management software to enterprise mobile applications used by millions of users. He has collaborated with major organizations, gaining experience in both Italian and international contexts and combining software architecture, product development and digital innovation.

He enjoys ambitious environments, where technical quality, product thinking and speed of execution need to coexist. His professional interests include mobile engineering, cybersecurity, Internet of Things and scalable software systems. Outside work, he enjoys sailing and practices judo.

Commercial photographer since 1989, specializing primarily in design, but also in fashion, still-life, architecture, landscape, portraits, and personal research.

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Experience & Design Director, Europe at AKQA, with over 10 years of experience in some of the most renowned communication agencies, Gabriele Corazza skillfully leads his team, managing complex digital projects and driving new business opportunities.

Born in Trieste and a Physics graduate from the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Leonardo Felician founded the direct insurance model in Italy in 1994 and has led several top insurance companies over the course of decades. He is recognized as a serial innovator and one of Europe’s leading experts in motor insurance and data analytics for the insurance business.

He has been teaching in Italian universities for over 40 years and currently lectures in Data Analytics for Finance and Insurance at MIB Trieste School of Management and in Insurance Management at BBS – Bologna Business School.

Course: Data Driven and Decision Making

Assistant

Clara Filosa is a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Management and Engineering of the University of Padua. She earned her PhD in Management Engineering with a research project focused on the transition of manufacturing companies toward integrated and customized solutions enabled by intelligent product-service systems. She graduated with honors in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the Department of Economics and Management at the University of Padua, and was awarded the “Luca Ometto” prize for her thesis on circular economy and Industry 4.0.

Her research focuses on digital servitization, business model innovation, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital platforms. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed international journals and presented at numerous national and international conferences. She spent a research period as a visiting PhD at Copenhagen Business School and regularly serves as a reviewer for scientific journals and conferences.

She is actively involved in university teaching on courses related to innovation management and product development, and has co-supervised interdisciplinary master’s theses.

In addition to her academic background, she has gained professional experience in marketing, events, and communication, enriching her profile with cross-disciplinary skills and a collaborative, organized, and innovation-driven approach.

Course: Principles of Economics

Luca Fontana è Graphic designer freelance con sede a Treviso (Italia) con oltre 10 anni di esperienza.
Specializzato nell’identità visiva, nel web design e nei sistemi di grafica con un approccio moderno ed estetico.
Collabora con diversi clienti, dalle start-up alle grandi aziende, e con diverse agenzie di comunicazione.

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Federica Gherardi is Data & Research Director at AKQA, where she transforms complex data into strategic intelligence for global brands across the EMEA network.

With a background in Communication and Design Psychology, she operates at the intersection of behavioral science and business innovation, leading multi-country research initiatives and informing strategic decisions for major corporations and public institutions worldwide. Her teaching philosophy centers on cultivating a research mindset rather than merely transferring tools and techniques.

Having taught across undergraduate and postgraduate programs at H-FARM College, IUAV University, and NABA, she challenges students through generative questioning and co-design methodologies that mirror real-world research challenges.

Course: Applied Research Methods for Business

Gianpaolo Greco is Business Unit Director for AI & Emerging Technologies at Uqido, where he leads strategic AI assessments with C-level executives and designs the solutions that come out of them, from opportunity to delivery. Adjunct Professor at the University of Padua and lecturer on a postgraduate Master’s programme at the University of Verona, he has spent more than fifteen years turning what is possible into what companies actually put into production.

Lorenzo Guerra is a researcher and teacher in the field of mathematics. He earned his Ph.D. at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa and has worked at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and the University of Lille in France. He has also given talks at conferences worldwide. His main areas of interest within mathematics are algebraic topology, homotopy theory, and operads.

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Serena Leonardi is founder of Amploom, a company that focuses on accompanying people in business innovation projects through the use of methodologies related to Service Design and Design Thinking.

Among the companies she has enjoyed working with and accompanied in this transformation are OTB Spa, Fastweb Spa, Decathlon Italia, Poste Italiane Spa, Keter Spa, Haier Europe, Confartigianato Vicenza.

He is Visiting Professor in Design Thinking at H-Farm College and part of the faculty of Talent Garden, where he supports companies in defining strategies to transform corporate culture. He is a lecturer at Politecnico di Milano in Service Design for HR, Ca’ Foscari Venezia and University of Padua.

She previously worked in Germany at Volkswagen Headquarters, where she was involved in the adoption of Design Thinking and Service Design methodology to support business transformation processes.

Originally from Manchester (UK), David Lyons has a background in both Italian and English speaking academic settings, as well as experience in technical sales roles and account management. A native English speaker who is also fluent in Italian, David has a Masters degree in Italian Studies from the University of Bologna, and is currently finishing his PhD thesis at the department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at the same institution. He has taught at various levels in both Bologna and Montebelluna, covering courses on Business English, Test Preparation, and Academic English.

With an international academic background from UNC and WU Vienna, Andrea graduated in Economics and Management of Innovation and Technology from Bocconi University. Starting as a financial analyst at a hedge fund in London, he transitioned to marketing roles at H-FARM and Jakala. Now Managing Director at Reelevate, he teaches at GSoM POLIMI, H-FARM College, and Bologna Business School. Active in gaming and esports, he founded a startup that aggregates videogame skins

SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR

Timothy O’Connell is a true pioneer of the European startup scene, having made a significant contribution as a serial entrepreneur, investor, business leader, and educator. Over the past ten years, he has managed more than 20 international acceleration programs across a wide range of sectors, including food, fashion, IoT, blockchain, wellness, and EdTech.

These programs have invested in hundreds of early-stage startups, including one of Italy’s first “unicorns”.

LINKEDIN PROFILE

Michele Mantovan combines a background in Computer Science with over 10 years of experience in software development, computer graphics and education. He holds a degree in Computer Science and a Master’s in Game Development, and has worked as a Developer and 3D Generalist, collaborating with international studios and brands. Having mentored hundreds of students, he combines theoretical methodology with practical application to teach complex problem-solving and data architecture design for the challenges of the modern market.

Marco Mingolla is based in Copenhagen and is the founder and CEO of M|pact Global.
He has more than 25 years’ experience in optimizing and consulting clients on organizational, leadership and talent processes, and in transforming HR functions to provide strategic relevance and human-centric employee experiences.

Marco started his career in the Danish Royal Danish Guards, ending up as Commanding Officer.
Following that, he spent 15 years with Danish-based A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, ending up as the Global Chief HR Officer for DAMCO, the conglomerate’s logistics unit. During his tenure with Maersk, Mr. Mingolla also served as global Head of Transformation, and as responsible for the global implementation of Lean Six Sigma.

Prior to his current role, he was a Senior Partner with Korn Ferry where he led the organization’s People Strategy and Performance practice. In this capacity, he led numerous large-scale, strategic culture transformation engagements across a range of industries, notably within talent and performance management. He is internationally recognized as a thought leader and has authored numerous whitepapers in both domains.

Mr. Mingolla graduated from the Royal Danish Army Military Academy before completing an Executive Masters in Strategic Human Resources Management at SDA Bocconi and Cornell University (Valedictorian). In addition, he has a Masters in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Harvard University (honors).
He is 57, is in a partnership and has three children aged 27, 23 and 16. He resides in central Copenhagen.

Full Professor of Marketing, Strategy & Business Model, Department of Economics & Statistics, University of Udine.

Previously director of the Department of Economic and Statistical Sciences (2007-2015). He has lectured at national institutions (Luiss, Reiss Romoli, Trento School of Management).

Research interests are related to extreme and international consumer behaviour; international business strategies; digital marketing. In the past, he has worked in support processes for the internationalization of SME companies within the Italian and European framework.

Massimiliano Niselli is a professional with over 15 years of experience in Operational Excellence, Supply Chain, and Change Management. He has held roles of increasing responsibility in multinational companies across various industries — including consulting, fashion and luxury, pharmaceuticals, electromechanics, and automotive — working with organizations such as Boston Consulting Group, Moncler, Stevanato Group, ABB, and Carraro Group.

He holds a degree in Management Engineering with honors from the University of Padua and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. He is a member of H-FARM’s Scientific Committee for Operational Excellence and collaborates with institutions and research centers to develop sustainable, data-driven operational models.
Alongside his professional career, he is actively engaged in social impact initiatives: he serves as president of an urban regeneration association, mentors university students, and runs a blog on traveling with children, through which he promotes values of inclusion, exploration, and simplicity.

A firm believer in the integration of human potential and technology, he sees innovation as a tool to serve people. He advocates for collaborative leadership based on listening, empowerment, and shared growth. His daily work is dedicated to creating environments where people feel motivated to improve both processes and relationships, contributing to a positive impact not only on business but also on the communities and ecosystems they are part of.

Course: Introduction to Supply Chain Management

Alessio Paccariè is an Adjunct Professor and Group Head of Product Management & Marketing in the cybersecurity and decision-intelligence sector. He teaches at university level and brings 10+ years of experience in product strategy, digital transformation, growth marketing and complex innovation programmes across technology, retail and top-firm advisory contexts.

Nicola Peduzzi is a software engineer and software architect with over 17 years of industry experience. He has led the design and development of large-scale software products used by millions of users, working across startups and international technology companies. His interests include software architecture, engineering practices, AI-powered applications, and helping students bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional software development.

Chief Growth Officer at AKQA

SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR

Diego Pizzocaro obtained a Doctorate (PhD) in Artificial Intelligence (multi-agent systems) from Cardiff University (UK) collaborating with prestigious organizations such as NATO, IBM, UK Ministry of Defense & US Army Research Labs. He was subsequently appointed Honorary Research Fellow at Cardiff University for his contribution to the field of Intelligent & Multi-agent Systems research.

He was CEO and co-founder of Sellf, a startup born in H-FARM in 2013 and awarded by Apple as one of the most innovative apps in Italy in 2015. He subsequently led the sale of Sellf to ForceManager in 2018, a scale-up tech in Barcelona where he held the role of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) until April 2024. At ForceManager, he integrated generative AI as a key element of his marketing team to improve efficiency and creativity and contributed to the design of new AI-based product features. Diego is also the co-founder of the OpenAccessGPT project, an open-source alternative to ChatGPT, which has gained significant media coverage due to its focus on privacy and data ownership. He was recently invited to participate in the prestigious and first international conference of OpenAI – the developer of the famous ChatGPT – held on November 6, 2023 in San Francisco. In H-FARM he is also co-organizer of the AI ​​CLUB and already holds courses on Generative AI and Introduction to AI to students and companies in collaboration with Microsoft Italy, the Ca’Foscari University of Venice and the University of Chichester.

An international speaker, consultant and trainer for entrepreneurs and large companies, Diego believes that AI will be the most significant technological change we have ever experienced.

Diego was recently appointed CEO of H-FARM AI, the new Research and Development laboratory for the creation of innovative AI-powered projects in the education, business and healthcare fields. H-FARM AI’s commitment and goal is to collaborate with the education, business and healthcare sectors, to design and develop AI solutions that improve quality of life, operational efficiency and the way which we learn. In all projects and initiatives undertaken by the new laboratory, a strong emphasis is placed on social impact, aiming to democratize access to artificial intelligence with the aim that the benefits of advanced technologies are shared equally between all strata of society.

LINKEDIN PROFILE

Irene Pivari holds a degree in Mathematics with a strong background in algebra, geometry, and number theory, as well as a strong interest in science and science communication. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Padua in 2023, followed by a double Master’s degree in collaboration between the Universities of Padua and Duisburg-Essen.

During her academic journey, she developed skills in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analysis through collaborations with associations and internships in industry. In parallel, she gained professional experience in education and cultivated her passion for sports by serving as a referee in fencing competitions.

She is driven by the belief that education is a fundamental tool for unlocking students’ potential and fostering learning centered on critical thinking and innovation.

Luca Rizzi has over 25 years of proven experience in IT technologies and the insurance, healthcare, and pension sectors. His multidisciplinary ability to generate innovative concepts, combined with a relentless drive to turn ideas into reality, has shaped his career.

As Chief Innovation Officer, he has developed and managed hundreds of highly complex projects that integrate cutting-edge IT technologies, large-scale database design and data processing, advanced analytics on massive data sets using machine learning and data science techniques, as well as software engineering methodologies and governance of complex IT initiatives. His ability to bridge diverse skill sets has enabled him to design and implement IT concepts and platforms that close the gap between different disciplines, delivering tangible results and innovative market solutions.

In addition, his solid expertise in artificial intelligence has led him to establish innovation labs at the forefront of technological advancement. With a deep understanding of AI methodologies and their applications across various sectors, he has successfully integrated AI solutions into numerous business initiatives—thanks to collaborations between these labs and research departments of several universities—providing significant value to clients and partners.

Course: Databases

Sebastiano Saccani is an independent AI consultant with a PhD in Physics from SISSA, Trieste. Formerly Chief Product Officer of Aindo SpA, Saccani led the development of a generative-AI synthetic data platform for healthcare, pharma and finance, following earlier roles as data scientist at Allianz Technology and product manager at LIST. Published at AAAI and NeurIPS, Saccani has co-supervised multiple doctoral theses at the University of Trieste.

With 25 years of experience in financial markets, including roles at Mediobanca SGR, UBS, Prometeia, and Eurizon Financial Group, Teresa Sardena has served as Chief Economist at Mediobanca SGR since 2017, following her work as a Fixed Income Strategist in the CIO of UBS in Zurich. She holds a Master’s degree from Bocconi University and a degree in Quantitative Economics from Ca’ Foscari University. She excels in economic analysis and communication, particularly enjoying her weekly tasks of writing the MB macroeconomics newsletter and recording the podcast.

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Alessandro is a technology and innovation expert with a distinctive approach that blends digital strategy with a humanistic perspective. He is part of the H-FARM AI team, where he actively drives innovation. His innovative outlook lies in combining the technical expertise of his role with a humanistic vision, which is essential for understanding the cultural and strategic impact of technology.

His areas of expertise focus on Generative AI and Digital Marketing. Alessandro divides his time between experimentation in the field of Generative Artificial Intelligence, the development of advanced digital strategies, and guiding professionals through training and educational activities. Through his work, he helps shape how new technologies can be integrated into business in an ethical and strategic way.

Alessandro “out of the box”: Alessandro does not see AI as merely a technical or algorithmic tool, but as a resource that must be integrated with a humanistic and cultural vision. This unconventional approach is key to understanding the ethical and strategic impact of Generative AI on people and organizations—going beyond code to focus on meaning and the true value of innovation. Outside of work, Alessandro enjoys cultural tourism and the nerd world, including gaming, collecting, and role-playing games.

Graduated in Management with a major in Fashion, Luxury & Made in Italy from Bocconi University, she has 10 years of experience across multiple digital fields. After starting at YOOX NET-A-PORTER GROUP in 2016, she worked from 2017 to 2025 at H-FARM Digital Marketing – later acquired by JAKALA – leading cross-industry digital projects from e-commerce to social media and ATL campaigns.

She has long been active in corporate and academic training. Today, she focuses on people-first adoption of Generative AI, combining upskilling, process redesign and change management.

Giorgio Stefani is a researcher and lecturer in Mathematical Analysis at the University of Padua. He holds a PhD in Mathematics from the Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa and has worked at the University of Basel and SISSA in Trieste. He is the author of scientific publications in international journals, has delivered seminars and conferences in Italy and abroad, and has organized workshops in his field of research.

Startup Founder [Exit] | Manager of the Entrepreneurship & Startup Center | Professor at H-FARM College

Zeno Tosoni is an entrepreneur with a strong passion for innovation and technology. He founded and led a startup as CEO, which eventually attracted the attention of a leading multinational, culminating in its acquisition. This experience led to the creation of Zeninvest, a company that not only provides consulting services but also invests in emerging tech startups. His professional journey further solidified at H-FARM, where he currently serves as the Manager of the Entrepreneurship & Startup Center. Here, Zeno enthusiastically works on innovative projects, offering mentorship to early-stage startups and closely collaborating with visionary young founders. In addition to his entrepreneurial career, Zeno is a respected professor in the Master’s program in Digital Entrepreneurship. His expertise has led him to be a mentor in prominent initiatives, such as the MAGICA Summer School, organized in collaboration with the European Union, and H-ACK, a project born in partnership with Intesa Sanpaolo. With a solid knowledge base and a network of contacts in the startup ecosystem, Zeno is determined to guide and influence the technological landscape, combining his entrepreneurial and academic skills.

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Michele Trova, born in Lonigo (VI) on January 9, 1970, is Head of Credit Policies and Regulations at Cassa Centrale Banca.

With over 25 years of experience in banks and asset management companies of primary national importance, he has consolidated expertise in risk management, financial advisory, quantitative modeling and credit regulation. He has led teams for econometric projections of balance sheet drivers, structuring of bonds and derivatives, ALM analysis, management of institutional and retail portfolios, and coordinated projects in MiFID/ESMA, Asset Quality Review and Digital Treasury areas.

He graduated summa cum laude in Economics and Commerce from Ca’ Foscari. Alongside his professional activity, he has been an adjunct professor for the Econometrics course at the University of Venice (Treviso campus), for Investments at the IMEF Master’s program in Venice, for Computational Finance at the University of Padua, and has conducted courses and workshops at the Universities of Verona, Siena, Brescia, Palermo, and Trento. His main publications include studies in econometrics and applied quantitative analysis on exchange rates, investment strategies, artificial intelligence in risk management, credit risk, climate stress testing, model risk management and credit risk management (also as an AIFIRM member).

An expert in statistical programming (MATLAB, R, SAS) and info-providers, he combines academic rigor and strategic leadership to support financial and regulatory decisions.

Videographer since 2008; Owner at CROMO, a video production house in Pordenone;
Professor at the University of Udine and IUAV in Venezia;
production and post-production expert with real-life experience in Hollywood, Rome and with clients such as Stellantis.

A graduate of the Conservatory in Trieste and the SAE Institute in Milan and Paris, he spent several years in the short movie industry while abroad.Upon returning to Italy, he established OFFLMTS Recording Studio where he supports local emerging artists.As a freelance Sound Designer, he collaborates with production companies like CROMO on commercial projects for renowned brands including Everli, Diadora, The North Face, FIAT and more.

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Director of Integrations at Tritium Software S.L. | PhD in Information Technology | Professor at H-FARM College

Filippo Zanella is an IT engineer with a passion for web3, and artificial intelligence.

A true geek and programmer at heart, Filippo has undertaken diverse projects involving Java, C#, NesC, Ruby, Matlab, React and Python, focused on open-source software for indoor localization, distributed estimation, data acquisition, real-time performance, and image processing. With his multidimensional expertise in computer science, Filippo stands ready to make an impact on the dynamic realm of technology and innovation spanning both university and corporate sectors.

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Anna Comacchio is Professor of Organization and Management and Dean of the Venice School of Management, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy. She received her Ph.D. in Management from the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and was visiting scholar at Business School – Warwick University. She was the director of the international PHD program in Management of Ca’ Foscari University and the MPhil in Management Studies, and served as vice-president of Edamba and board member of Euram. Her areas of research are at the crossroads of organization theory and innovation, focusing on the cognitive processes underlying novelty generation and sensemaking mechanisms processes for entrepreneurial identity formation. Her research has been published in Long Range Planning, Organization Science, Technovation and Journal of Technology transfer.

Maria Barbati is a senior researcher at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Previously, she was a senior lecturer in the Operations and Systems Management group at the University of Portsmouth, where she holds a visiting fellow position. She completed her doctoral studies on facility location problems with equity considerations at the University of Naples Federico II. She regularly presents her work at international conferences. Her research focuses on multi-criteria decision support and combinatorial optimization problems, with particular attention to facility location models and portfolio selection problems.

Since 2012, Elisa Barbieri has been a Lecturer in Macroeconomics at the University of Udine, Department of Economics and Statistical Sciences, where she also coordinates the Laboratory of Firm Strategies and Policies (course taught in English). Since 2015, she has been a Contract Lecturer for the course “Economics and Policies for Industrial Development” at the University of Ferrara, Department of Economics and Management. She is currently an Associate Professor at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Economics.

Sebastiano Cattaruzzo holds a double degree in Economics from Ca’ Foscari University and Georgia State University. After a research internship at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, he earned his master’s degree in economics from the University of Pisa and the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. Subsequently, he won a Marie-Curie scholarship to pursue his doctoral studies at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, complemented by visiting scholar experiences at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex. Currently, he is Assistant Professor at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice where he teaches Economics of Innovation.

Luca Cosmo obtained his PhD in Computer Science from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in February 2016, where he currently holds a postdoctoral researcher position. His research interests span various aspects of Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition. Recently, his focus has shifted towards applying Computer Vision techniques to perform fast and reliable tracking of both active and passive camera-based devices.

Lisa Crosato is currently an Associate Professor of Economic Statistics at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

Pietro Ferrara has 15 years of experience in scientific research applying static analysis techniques to the software engineering process, backed by approximately 50 scientific papers, 20 patents, 60 presentations at various technical conferences, universities, and trade shows, supervision of a dozen PhD students, graduates, and undergraduates, and involvement in several research projects from proposal writing to development and project completion. He joined Ca’ Foscari University as an associate professor with tenure track in November 2019.

Gloria Gardenal is an Associate Professor at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Management. Since 2019, she has been collaborating with H-FARM College and has also taught at the CUOA Foundation. She holds a PhD in Business and the Doctor Europeaus title from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and was a visiting student at the Department of Economics, University College London (UCL).

Andreas Hinterhuber is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Department of Management. He has previously served as Visiting Professor at several international universities, including the University of Bolzano, Università della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Bocconi University in Milan, and Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Pietro Lanzini is Associate Professor at the Department of Management and member of the Steering Committee of CAMI – Center for Automotive and Mobility Innovation at Ca’ Foscari University in Venice.
From 2003 to 2009 he worked as Researcher at IEFE – Center for Research on Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy at Bocconi University. During this period he spent four months (2006-2007) working at
the United Nations Headquarters in New York City (Department of Economic and Social Affairs). He has also been a member of staff at SPACE Bocconi – European Center for the Studies on Corporate Protection (2007) and he is advisor for the Fondazione Ambiente T. Fenoglio in Turin.

Alessandra Melonio is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, and Statistics at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

Andrea Rizzi è Docente di Planning and Management control systems (Practice module) presso l’Università Ca’ Foscari di Venezia

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Since 2005, Giuliano Zanchi has taught at the Departments of Economics and Management of Ca’ Foscari University. He is currently responsible for the following lessons: Introduction to Law [ET2014], European Private Law I [ET4003], Fundamentals of IT Law [ET7004] (at H-FARM College – Roncade).

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Zeynep Yucel earned her PhD in Electrical and Electronics Engineering in 2010. Prior to joining Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in October 2024, she worked as a researcher at ATR Labs at Kyoto, Japan and subsequently served as an assistant professor and then associate professor at Okayama University, Okayama, Japan. Her research centers on human behavior and its link to actions, spanning from subtle cues of attention to locomotion and navigation. Her recent work focuses on collision avoidance with social contexts.