Silvia De Cleva is a UniTS graduate in Biological Sciences and Technologies, currently enrolled in the Master’s degree in Data Science and Scientific Computing. Silvia was the winner of the 2023 edition of the CLab (now ICL) with her project Green Bactery, which gave her the opportunity to participate in the California Tech Tour.

In 2023, you took part in the CLab. Did you already have a business idea in mind, or did it develop with the support of CLab?

I had been following CLab’s activities for a few years, but I decided to enrol only in the first year of my Master’s because I didn’t yet have a well-defined business idea. When I applied, my proposal was still vague and not at all structured from an entrepreneurial perspective. I was fascinated by the potential of microalgae, having read about their various applications in different fields, and I wanted to explore whether it was possible to develop a product that could have a tangible impact on everyday life using these organisms. Thanks to my journey with CLab, I began to understand how to build a business plan and turn an idea into a concrete project, with a focus on market opportunities.

What is the concept behind Green Bactery, and what are its goals? What are the latest developments in the project?

Green Bactery was created with the aim of developing a natural power bank that uses photosynthetic microalgae to produce clean energy. The device harnesses their metabolism to generate electricity autonomously, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional power banks for charging small electronic devices. Another key aspect is the use of materials that are as environmentally friendly as possible. Beyond energy efficiency, the project seeks to raise awareness of eco-friendly technologies in daily life. While the technology behind Green Bactery has been studied for years, developing it with current knowledge has proven challenging. For this reason, I am now working on a new project still based on microalgae, but applied to air purification.

Winning CLab 2023 gave you the opportunity to take part in the California Tech Tour, an immersive journey through some of California’s leading high-tech companies. Can you share the key insights and lessons from this experience?

It was an extraordinary experience, both for the companies and innovation centres we visited and for the invaluable exchanges with experts and the feedback we received. At the University of Berkeley, we attended a lecture on entrepreneurship, appreciating the practical approach and active student engagement. At the California State University – School of Entrepreneurship, we explored training programmes for future entrepreneurs, while at the Institute for Geospatial Impact at the University of Redlands, we met professors and researchers who introduced us to groundbreaking research projects. Meetings at the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco and Innovit highlighted opportunities for international collaboration and the importance of promoting Italian innovation. I returned with a broader and more global perspective on entrepreneurship, as well as valuable contacts that allow me to expand my network.

You are now involved in a new project called Bioxgen. How does it differ from or relate to your experience with Green Bactery?

Bioxgen emerged from another entrepreneurship programme (TechBooster 2023 – Fondazione Pietro Pittini) and was developed within a team of seven students. Building on my experience with Green Bactery, the idea of using microalgae has evolved towards improving indoor air quality. We are developing a natural air purifier that leverages microalgae to reduce carbon dioxide accumulation in enclosed spaces. Compared to plants, microalgae are significantly more efficient at absorbing CO₂, offering an innovative and highly effective approach. With Bioxgen, we have already had the opportunity to present our work at international events such as the Expand North Star fair, a startup event within GITEX in Dubai in October 2024. We are now participating in an acceleration programme (CC1 of iNEST) to bring our product to market.