Naples, May 16, 2025
Napoli, Italia – The Start’Ship Program, designed to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration between students and the business community, is currently carrying out its fourth work package (WP4), focused on creative workshops, collaborative meetings, and the SExCEO Hackathon.
The DEMI UniNa project team kicked off the activities in February, focusing on recruiting participants. These initial activities included presenting the entire project, initiatives to highlight the commitment of project partners, and reviewing the progress made over the past months.
Following the recruitment phase, participants engaged in Creative Workshops, where they participated in brainstorming sessions with professors and managers.
The goal was to develop innovative project ideas using tools and exercises designed to stimulate strategic thinking. Students took part in interactive sessions that promoted the exchange of ideas between students and CEOs, focusing on developing project vision, planning, and practical entrepreneurial skills.
In particular, on April 26, the following managers and startup founders were invited:
• Livio Barone, Project Manager @Incubatore “Stecca”
• Filippo Di Salvatore, Business Management Consultant @Incubatore “Stecca”
• Stanislao Elefante, CEO & Co-founder @MioGarage
• Vincenzo Benessere, CEO & Founder @Isuschem
These meetings allowed students to engage directly with entrepreneurial figures and discover tools that support entrepreneurship. One of the most appreciated initiatives was the “Success Stories” from startup founders, which inspired and motivated the participants, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. Currently, several collaborative meetings are taking place. The students, divided into teams, are engaging in discussions with n. 10 business managers and startup founders from various countries. This direct interaction is providing valuable insights in preparation for the upcoming hackathon.
The SExCEO Hackathon will take place on May 20 and 29. During these two days, the 107 participants, divided into 17 teams, will work intensively on their project ideas, applying the skills and strategies acquired throughout the program.
They will be supported by 8 mentors, who will guide and assist them in project development. The hackathon will offer a unique opportunity to put theory into practice, receiving continuous mentorship and gaining practical experience in project development and entrepreneurial thinking.
WP4 activities have been highly successful, thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of the participants. We are confident that the SExCEO Hackathon will be the highlight of this phase, offering students the opportunity to test their abilities and tackle real-world challenges. The Start’Ship program is an Erasmus+ project involving six partners: DEMI of the University of Naples Federico II (Italy), Eurasanté (France), WestBIC (Ireland), FNG Invest (Latvia), Artesis Plantijn Hogeschool Antwerpen (Belgium), and Universidade de Coimbra (Portugal).
Contacts: For further information, contact:
• Nadia Di Paola – nadia.dipaola@unina.it
• Nancy Capobianco – nancy.capobianco@unina.it
