To me, “entrepreneurship” means bringing a vision of the world into reality as a business that generates value for oneself, society, and the planet. An entrepreneur is the ultimate optimist, someone who pulls an idea from the Hyperuranion and turns it into something concrete that positively impacts those around them. In doing so, the entrepreneur both creates and destroys within the cycle of innovation and time, especially as a startup founder, where each step forward involves reshaping reality with new ideas and solutions.

On my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve learned a few essential lessons. Beyond acquiring hard skills in business, finance, and technology, skills that would have taken me much longer to gain outside of this environment, I’ve learned the complexity of team management, the challenges of working with diverse stakeholders, and the importance of owning significant responsibilities as a CEO. I’ve also mastered the art of “selling” a vision and nurturing it into a tangible product day by day. Above all, I’ve come to see that enthusiasm, empathy, determination, and vision are crucial to building something truly impactful.

Our startup, AraBat, based in Puglia, stands out for its revolutionary technology that enables sustainable recycling of lithium batteries and e-waste. We use plant waste, such as orange peels and artichoke leaves, to recover precious metals from toxic end of-life batteries. Our process replaces harmful chemicals with organic acids and biomass, operates at lower temperatures, has faster processing times, and reduces CO₂ emissions. Additionally, we differentiate ourselves through an ambitious value chain strategy, a highly skilled and resilient team of young professionals, and a strong network of partners, including the University of Foggia and its STAR Facility Centre.

My personal and professional motto is “Always being disruptive.” For me, this means constantly pushing boundaries, questioning the status quo, and looking for innovative solutions that others might overlook. Disruption isn’t about breaking things for the sake of it; it’s about reshaping them in ways that add real value to the world. This mindset keeps me motivated to bring fresh ideas to the table, approach challenges creatively, and find new ways to make a meaningful impact.

ELITE is a valuable opportunity for companies seeking to access capital markets and grow sustainably. It provides structured support to help companies navigate and prepare for the demands of private and public funding, while offering resources like targeted seminars, networking events, and access to expert guidance. This ecosystem accelerates knowledge acquisition and facilitates the connections that can drive business growth and market readiness.