Located within the H-FARM Campus, the Entrepreneurship & Startup Center is a hub designed to support young innovators and foster the development of entrepreneurship and startups. It is a key resource for H-FARM College students, who can directly benefit from an environment that connects education with real entrepreneurial practice.
H-FARM has played a pioneering role in the European entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem since its early years, operating both as an Accelerator and as a pre-Seed and Seed investor. This long-standing commitment has been internationally recognized, with H-FARM named one of Europe’s Leading Startup Hubs by the Financial Times, ranking first in Italy. Entrepreneurship and startups are deeply embedded in H-FARM’s DNA and have been key drivers in the continuous evolution and growth of the Campus, as well as in the programs and activities developed by H-FARM Education.
Building on more than 15 years of experience in acceleration and entrepreneurship, the Entrepreneurship & Startup Center was created to provide students and young aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, skills, and resources needed to transform ideas into startups. Over the years, H-FARM’s model for supporting startups has evolved—from incubation to acceleration, then to Open Innovation—leading to the integrated approach adopted today by the Entrepreneurship & Startup Center.
Entrepreneurship education
The Entrepreneurship & Startup Center equips students with key skills and methodologies specific to the startup world through dedicated academic and extracurricular courses integrated into H-FARM College programs.
The objective is to develop core entrepreneurial competencies, including adaptability, business model design and implementation, analysis of financial needs and funding sources, evaluation of a project’s economic and financial feasibility, and awareness of the regulatory, corporate, and tax frameworks, as well as the opportunities they offer.
Startup accelerator
The Entrepreneurship & Startup Center designs and delivers acceleration programs in partnership with leading corporate brands. Over the years, it has managed more than 25 programs across a wide range of industries, fostering innovation and collaboration between startups and established organizations.
Open innovation
The Entrepreneurship & Startup Center collaborates with leading global brands to scout high-potential startups, launch pilot programs, and validate innovative ideas through Proof of Concept (PoC) development.
CASE STUDY
Rosso
Simplifying blood and plasma donations
Founded by Chiara Schettino, a former H-FARM College student, and Filippo Toni, Rosso aims to digitize and streamline the blood and plasma donation process, including in workplaces. Inspired by Chiara’s personal experience as a blood recipient, the startup was created during her Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Management. In 2024, Chiara was recognized among Forbes Italia’s Under 30 Talents for her innovative approach to healthcare and social impact.
CASE STUDY
Etrash
AI-powered smart waste management
Filippo Casellato and Sebastiano Felicetti, former students of the BA in Digital Management at H-FARM College, teamed up with co-founder Umberto Bolzoni to create Etrash, winning the Red Bull Basement Italy 2021 university competition. Their smart bin, MIDA, uses advanced AI-powered sensors to recognize and sort any type of waste, reducing human error and disposal costs in high-traffic environments such as airports, malls, train stations, and campuses.
In January 2026, Etrash reached a special milestone: the first smart bin was installed directly at H-FARM College, bringing technology and sustainability “home” to the place where the idea was born.
CASE STUDY
Emerals
Europe’s largest GTA V roleplay community
Founded in 2021 by Michele Mangiacotti, a former H-FARM College student, together with his younger brother, Emerals has grown into the largest roleplay community on GTA V in Europe. The platform combines gaming and the metaverse to create immersive, hyper-realistic stories where every interaction feels real. Today, Emerals counts over 550,000 users, offering a unique virtual world that blurs the line between gaming, storytelling, and online social interaction.
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