The first three weeks of the Acceleration Programme: energy, learning and a growing community
The first three weeks of our international acceleration programme in Italy have flown by and what a start it has been. One thing has stood out in these first weeks: the trust that the founders have placed in us, and the sense of shared responsibility that comes with it.
A Beginning built on trust
Many founders joined the programme after setting aside important commitments, academic roles, professional projects or other opportunities. Others have already told us how grateful they are to be here, saying they feel supported, energised and “in the right place”. These moments remind us why this programme exists and why it needs to be carried out with care.
Learning together from Day one
At the beginning of the programme, the cohort worked together in a practical workshop with Quickload, exploring what happens when EdTech and gaming meet. The session focused on how interactive experiences are built and how teams work together to create something that feels alive for the user. A simple idea ran through the whole session: paying attention to how people experience what we design.
Last week, the founders also met Valerio Di Donato, CEO of 34BigThings and leader of Quickload, in our first “Meet the CEO” conversation. His openness about his own path (the successes, the mistakes, the responsibilities that come with growing a team) created a very grounded discussion about what it means to build a company from scratch.
New voices and old friends along the way
Several guests have already joined us, each bringing a different way of looking at learning and innovation. Professor Sacco from Harvard offered a broad view of educational trends and highlighted the importance of asking clear questions before moving into solutions.
We also welcomed Matteo Bagnato from Edtech Italia, who shared insights on the Italian ecosystem and gave practical advice on how early-stage teams can strengthen their presence and connections. The founders also had the chance to speak with investors such as Enrico Poli, and to learn about accessibility with Chiara Basile and to meet many other mentors and people from our EdTech community. These conversations opened up new angles and helped the teams connect their work with real needs and real contexts. Each voice added something concrete, not theory for its own sake, but ideas that founders can actually work with.
A Community is built
These first weeks also showed how quickly a group of people can become a community. The founders are asking each other for feedback, comparing notes and sharing doubts that are often difficult to express in other settings. There is a sense of honesty and mutual support that gives strength to the work everyone is doing.
Looking ahead
As we move into the online phase, the teams will keep working on their product, their users and their next steps. The pace will remain steady, as will the sense of progress and trust built during these first weeks.
Below we share a few moments from these first weeks together.
