Leonardo Bressan is a former UniTS student of the Business Administration & Management degree programme. In 2022, Leonardo won the CLab (now Innovators Community Lab) with his project Givit, a platform for renting sports equipment.

Tell us about your academic journey. What led you to choose the Business Administration & Management programme? 

I chose Business Administration & Management because I wanted to follow an economics-related path without initially having a defined area of specialisation. It was through experiences such as the CLab, the Enactus group, and the Winter Week of Transform4Europe that I discovered my passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.

These experiences, alongside my studies, helped me realise how much I enjoy developing ideas and turning them into concrete projects. For this reason, I decided to continue with a master's degree abroad in innovation and entrepreneurship to deepen my skills and best prepare myself to create my own business or support start-ups in their growth.

When you decided to participate in the CLab, did you already have a clear idea of the Givit project, or did it take shape during the process? What were the most valuable aspects of CLab in developing your idea?

When I joined, I only had a rough idea of what Givit is today. Thanks to the programme and the skills I gained, I was able to develop it into its current form. CLab was crucial in introducing me to the world of start-ups and entrepreneurship, which has now become my greatest passion both academically and extracurricularly.

The most useful aspect was undoubtedly the opportunity to take courses such as Business Model Canvas, Business Plan, Leadership, Team Building, and Social Strategies. These provided concrete tools for turning an idea into a real project and understanding what running a business truly means. The opportunity to interact with industry experts was also invaluable; listening to their advice and learning from their experiences made a real difference. Finally, thanks to CLab, I was fortunate to meet people who believed in the project and who are now part of the team. Without their support and commitment, I would not have achieved the results I have so far.

Givit is based on an innovative circular economy model. What does this entail, what are the project’s main objectives, and how does it align with the UN Agenda goals? At what stage is the platform’s development, and what are the next steps for the future?

Givit is a platform, now developed as an app, that allows users to rent sports equipment quickly and securely. The goal is to give items a second life, reducing the overproduction of sports gear, which is often expensive and used only occasionally. This is not just a financial issue but also has a significant environmental impact. The production of technical materials such as waterproof fabrics and synthetic fibres requires vast amounts of resources and energy, contributing to pollution and the excessive exploitation of raw materials. With Givit, we aim to extend the lifespan of these items and promote a more sustainable consumption model.

Beyond sustainability, we want to create a local network of enthusiasts who not only share equipment but also experiences and knowledge, fostering the growth of small urban communities centred around sport.

We have launched the beta version of the app and achieved remarkable results, partly thanks to the acceleration programme offered by WDA in collaboration with Enactus, which provided us with initial funding to develop the platform. Our current goal is to scale the project, refine the product for users, and, in the future, expand into new sectors while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and waste reduction.

By winning CLab, you had the opportunity to take part in the Cambridge Tech Tour, a trip that allowed you to engage with leading figures in innovation and entrepreneurship. Which meetings or experiences stood out the most for you?

The experience in Cambridge was extraordinary, giving me the opportunity to speak with CEOs of companies born within the university, some of which have secured hundreds of millions in investment. One of the most interesting meetings was at ideaSpace and St John’s Innovation Centre Ltd, where we had the chance to present our projects and receive feedback on development and international applications.

What struck me most was the ecosystem surrounding Cambridge, particularly the networking culture. The mindset there is one of a community where each individual contributes to the success of others. I also noticed the strong connection between academia and entrepreneurship, which mutually reinforce each other in a synergistic way. A concrete example of this network of connections was during our visit to the University of Cambridge’s engineering department. Inside the building, there was a single café frequented by students, lecturers, researchers, and assistants. This seemingly simple choice created an ideal environment for idea-sharing and the birth of new projects.

In recent years, you have had the chance to present your project and engage with international organisations such as UNIDO, participating in events like the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (WEIF) Bahrain 2024 and GITEX-Expand North Star Dubai 2024. Can you give us an overview of these experiences? What were the key insights you gained?

Thanks to a project promoted by the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, UNIDO ITPO, and the CLab, I had the opportunity to take part in extraordinary international experiences. In Bahrain, I had the privilege of presenting Givit on the stage of the World Entrepreneurs Investment Forum (WEIF), focusing on the project’s sustainability aspect, particularly in relation to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Later, in Dubai, I exhibited at Expand North Star, the world’s largest technology and start-up fair. The exchanges with representatives of other start-ups at the event were incredibly valuable.

These experiences broadened my perspective on the project, opening up new application possibilities in different sectors, and provided me with the chance to expand my international network, a crucial aspect for Givit’s future.