Cyberangles has been selected for an acceleration path within the ITA's Global Startup Program. It was a unique opportunity, a leap into the unknown filled with expectations and, I must admit, some fears.

Now, immersed in this experience, I realize how crucial it is for every entrepreneur to live something like this, to understand up close what it means to be part of the startup system in the United States, the cradle of global innovation.

The American Experience: A Bath of Realism and Opportunity

Participating in an acceleration program in the USA means being exposed 24/7 to relentless stimuli and challenges that push you to exceed your limits to revisit your beliefs. It's an environment where the concept of failure is quickly replaced by learning and growth.

In these eight weeks, I've learned that many of the narratives circulating on our LinkedIn feed about the startup system can be dramatically different from reality.

The mindset here is different; the cycles of ups & downs are so rapid that while they're being discussed in Italy, here they're already history.

One of the aspects that struck me the most is the relationship with investors.

Contrary to what one might think, showing impressive financial metrics is not enough to secure funding because the investment horizon of the investors is not 1-3 years…

The quality of the relationship you can build with your future financial and strategic partners makes the real difference.

Yet, I've personally seen startups secure significant investments by presenting a deck without MRR but supported by a solid foundation of concrete data for validation. This proves that, even here, the exception proves the rule.

The Strength of the Community

Another element that stands out is the value of the community. In Los Angeles (and in San Francisco, either), I had the chance to meet people who offer advice and consultancy not because they are paid but out of a genuine desire to support the growth of the startup ecosystem. This spirit of sharing and mutual support is something unique and deeply enriching.

I cannot say whether the American experience is better or worse than the Italian one; each reality has its peculiarities, and every entrepreneur has specific needs.

However, what I can say with certainty is that living this experience is crucial. It's a unique opportunity to truly understand what it means to do business in a dynamic and highly competitive context.

An Invitation to Italian Entrepreneurs

My advice to all the entrepreneurs reading this?

Invest a couple of months of your time to live a similar experience. Come to the United States, immerse yourself in this environment, and compare it with different realities. Only by doing so can you truly understand the dynamics that regulate the success of a startup and, perhaps, take home those insights that will make a difference for your business.

The entrepreneurial journey is filled with challenges but also rich in unexpected opportunities.

My adventure in Los Angeles with Cyberangles has been a transformative experience, a path of personal and professional growth that will stay with me for the rest of my career.

I hope many of you will embark on a similar journey and find, as I have, new horizons to explore.

That was what my former boss told me in the welcome-on-board message.

It happened during my first experience of working far from home. I had the lucky intuition to accept a job from a software factory I never met before. I was from a consulting company, and the new company hired me to start a new consulting business unit.

I was young.

It was my first time as “head of something”.

I accepted without hesitation.

That was my first-hand experience where I started learning how is fucking essential to don’t follow the gut of being influenced by the first impression: working as a “managing consultant” in the wild world of coding genius is like being a super expert of Math in a group of super athletic people. Finding a common interest topic during everyday short talks was quite embarrassing.

I will never forget that first message, also because it became a way of working for the upcoming years.

He graduated from a professional high school of Computer Science and later became a lab teacher. He came from a working-class family, and his main priority was to become a successful manager. He founded his own company and developed code to help enterprises manage HR processes more efficiently. As a teacher, he attracted the most talented students before they decided to attend university.

Trying to recall the exact words is hard, but the meaning is like this.

“You think to come here and feeling better than the majority of them because you are a PhD and they are only high-school coders. So you’ll get here and start shooting shit about management, business, requirements, and not doing shit like the others here do. Just to be clear: if you’ll do that, turn your shit in! So, instead of saying, “Do that - don’t do that”, move your ass. Remember, as an entrepreneur, your only priority is to write down a row at the end of each month. If the revenue is greater than the costs, you are doing great if not, you are just shooting the shit”.

A slap in the face.

Well, I loved it.

After 15 years, the phrase "write down the row at the end of the month" still sticks with me.

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It's not just books and seminars where you find lessons for your entrepreneurial path.

Sometimes, they come from binge-watching a series like 'Cobra Kai'. Sounds strange? Let me explain.

Initially, I started watching it as a bonding exercise with my daughter, but as I delved into the storyline, I realized it offered potent lessons, not just for personal growth but also for navigating the unpredictable entrepreneurial journey.

Cobra Kai underlined an important life lesson - "You're not cursed by your past."

This truth, though seemingly simple, resonates deeply with my personal journey.

Cobra Kai takeaway #1 - You are not cursed by your past

Like Johnny Lawrence in the series, it's crucial to understand that the past does not dictate our future.

To put things into perspective, during my academic years at Politecnico di Milano, I wasn't a star student by traditional metrics. My grades were respectable but not dazzling.

As I ventured into the professional world, my first steps were within a local consulting company focusing on small businesses. Dreams of working for top-tier firms like Accenture or KPMG were thwarted by unsuccessful interviews.

Although my past might have suggested a less-than-remarkable future, I have come to realize that this couldn't be further from the truth.

What those interviews didn't capture, and what those traditional metrics of success failed to account for, was an innate skill I had honed over the years - a relentless curiosity and an insatiable desire to learn.

Be it from people I interacted with, situations I faced, or subjects I delved into, I strived to glean knowledge and insights. This ability to continuously learn and adapt was my true strength.

It was this characteristic, more than any accolade or achievement, that truly shaped my entrepreneurial journey.

We are not bound by our early failures or initial missteps.

We are not products of our circumstances but rather, the learning and growth that we derive from them.

Your past experiences, be they victories or failures, are mere stepping stones, not anchors.

They are there to inform and guide you, not restrict you.

Keep learning, stay curious, and watch as you craft your own narrative of success.

Cobra Kai takeaway #2 - Find your purpose

However, recognizing this is only the first step.

You must couple it with a clear sense of purpose, a guiding light that keeps you steady even when the tides are rough.

Over my entrepreneurial journey, I've noticed that having a meaningful purpose goes beyond profit margins or personal accolades.

This purpose isn't just about business objectives or monetary gains, but something much more profound.

I recall a time when I had the clarity of realizing what my true purpose was - and it wasn't merely about finding a solution for a problem that was causing distress for many.

Of course, as an entrepreneur, solving problems is part of the job.

However, I understood that my purpose needed to bring more than just a solution; it needed to bring joy and fulfillment to my everyday life.

When I say joy, I mean the kind of joy that gets you excited to jump out of bed every morning. The kind of energy that keeps you motivated throughout the day because you absolutely love what you do.

It was about fostering a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that didn't hinge solely on profit margins or market domination.

Instead, it revolved around creating a positive impact, fostering an environment of growth, and most importantly, deriving joy from my work.

Having this sort of purpose was transformative.

It helped me maintain my enthusiasm even in the face of hurdles and setbacks.

It made the long hours seem less daunting and the challenges more exciting. It was the driving force that pushed me to persist, learn, and grow.

So, as we navigate the thrilling journey of entrepreneurship, let's remember the importance of defining our purpose.

A purpose that aligns not just with our business goals, but with our personal happiness and satisfaction.

Because at the end of the day, true success in entrepreneurship isn't just about conquering markets; it's also about loving what we do and making a positive difference.

And what happens when you realize the circumstances challenge your purpose?

Do pivot!

Find another way to achieve your purpose.

I did.

I'm still happy about my last choices.

I am proud to have taken part in three prestigious startup programs.

I had the privilege of participating in not one but three outstanding programs recently.

First was the Vittoria Hub, an Insurtech program launched by Vittoria Assicurazioni. I was also selected for the highly competitive CyberX batch 2022 by Startup Wise Guys, one of Europe's most active accelerators.

Lastly, I was fortunate enough to attend the prestigious Innovit program, where I spent two weeks in San Francisco learning about the cultural aspects of running a startup in California alongside the top 10 most innovative Italian startups.

Why did a seasoned man with double entrepreneurial experience join Vittoria Hub at the age of 48?

Well, the first reason is related to the challenge of learning how to build a startup. In the previous ten years, I created and launched two businesses, one of which achieved great results in terms of growth and profitability.

These “traditional” businesses were people-intensive and sold professional services to large enterprises.

At that time, I wanted to challenge myself with a new business model that is scalable and technology-driven. In a word, a startup.

Moving from selling professional services to adopting a pure SaaS model is not a simple transition. It demands a significant mindset shift that can't be acquired through mere talk. It requires constant nurturing through lectures, feedback, experience, and even failures.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to learn from some of the most talented entrepreneurs in Europe and Silicon Valley. I tried lots of different business models and learned what works and what doesn't. I made mistakes, which were painful at times, but they also taught me valuable lessons.

I highly doubt I would have been able to survive thus far if I hadn't completed those programs.

These programs serve as a robust launchpad, providing the tools, resources, and networks that startups need to scale rapidly.

In this article I’ll try to share the advantages of including an acceleration program in an entrepreneur's journey.

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Mentorship from Experienced Coaches

For new entrepreneurs, navigating the startup world can seem overwhelming.

That's why having an experienced coach can be so valuable. Accelerator programs provide mentorship from accomplished industry experts, investors, and entrepreneurs.

These mentors offer priceless guidance, helping startups refine their business models, enhance their strategies, and steer clear of common mistakes.

For experienced entrepreneurs transitioning from traditional fields, this mentorship can help them understand the nuances and dynamics of the startup ecosystem, which can be vastly different from what they're accustomed to.

Peer-to-Peer Interaction with Other Founders

In an acceleration program, entrepreneurs get to interact with a cohort of other startup founders.

This creates a unique platform for peer-to-peer learning, where founders can share experiences, learn from each other’s successes and mistakes, and collaborate on potential opportunities.

First-time founders can gain a lot from the shared wisdom of their peers. Similarly, experienced entrepreneurs can gain fresh insights and perspectives from these interactions, helping them approach their new ventures with a more agile and innovative mindset.

Network Effects

One of the most significant benefits of joining an accelerator program is the opportunity to tap into a vast network of investors, industry professionals, potential partners, and customers.

This network effect can significantly increase a startup's visibility and credibility, opening doors to new opportunities.

First-time founders gain access to a pre-established network they would otherwise struggle to build on their own. For experienced entrepreneurs, this can complement their existing networks, enabling a smoother transition into the startup space.

Media Exposure

Media exposure is another critical benefit that accelerator programs provide. They often have strong relationships with the media and can help startups get the press coverage they need to increase their visibility and attract investment.

For first-time founders, this exposure can be instrumental in putting their startups on the map. Meanwhile, experienced entrepreneurs can leverage this exposure to position themselves and their new ventures in the startup ecosystem, distinguishing their new trajectory from their previous roles in traditional fields.

International Exposure

Many accelerator programs are international, offering startups a global platform to showcase their products or services. This can open up new markets for startups and provide them with a diverse range of perspectives and opportunities.

For both first-time and experienced entrepreneurs, international exposure can broaden their horizons, inspire innovative ideas, and provide a more comprehensive understanding of global market dynamics.

Balancing Accelerator Programs and Business Operations

While the benefits of accelerator programs are clear, it's important to consider the trade-off.

Joining a program requires a significant time investment, which can distract entrepreneurs from their day-to-day business operations.

First-time founders may find this particularly challenging as they learn to juggle multiple responsibilities. Experienced entrepreneurs, however, might be better equipped to handle this, given their prior experience in managing their time and resources.

However, the time spent in an accelerator is an investment in the startup's future growth.

The skills learned, networks built, and exposure gained can accelerate the startup's trajectory, providing long-term benefits.

I trust that this information has been useful to you.

In case you require any additional details, you are welcome to reach out to me via LinkedIn.

I am always ready to support you without any charges.

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