Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Business Innovation Seminar led by Davide Rovera with Matteo Ferrari It was exactly the kind of reality check I needed. Spending so much of my time exploring speculative futures, I often find myself grappling with the “how” behind turning abstract ideas into something real and impactful. This seminar shifted my perspective entirely—it was practical, grounded, and direct. It taught me how to leverage my current skills and resources, focus on delivering value, and navigate the intricacies of business in a way that feels both achievable and exciting.
Below you can find the link to my attempt at making a pitch
Why Startups Fail: We examined the common pitfalls that lead to failure, with a key takeaway being that businesses often falter because they build products no one cares about. The emphasis on understanding customer needs was a game-changer.
Product vs. Solution: We were pushed to think beyond “products” and focus on solving problems. This shift in perspective was critical for seeing the bigger picture.
The Iceberg Metaphor: Emphasizing the importance of looking deeper and uncovering unique solutions that others might overlook.
Customer Development Model (Steve Blank): This framework was a highlight for me. It broke down the steps to validate an idea with real customers, refine it based on feedback, and scale it into a sustainable business.
Market Phases: We dove into the journey from early adopters to the mainstream market, with a focus on the challenges of crossing the “chasm.”
Metrics and Planning: From TAM SAM SOM to AARRR funnels, CAC, and CLV, we covered how to assess opportunities, measure progress, and create actionable financial plans.
The main reason businesses fail is that no one cares about what they’re selling.
This was a wake-up call. It reminded me that a great idea is only as good as its relevance to the customer. The emphasis on validating ideas early and engaging directly with potential users shifted the way I think about starting any project.
Money flows in with the right team.
This insight reinforced the importance of surrounding yourself with people who not only complement your skills but also share your vision and values. A cohesive, dynamic team can achieve so much more than any individual effort.
Sell a solution and change the product.
This one hit home. Staying adaptable and prioritizing the problem over the product made me rethink how I approach my projects. It’s not about clinging to an idea—it’s about solving the customer’s need, even if it means pivoting.
If you’re not ashamed of the first thing you put on the market, then you’re too late.
Perfectionism can be paralyzing. This insight gave me the confidence to focus on launching and iterating, rather than waiting for everything to feel “ready.”
Humans are bad at predicting the future but great at giving feedback.
This ties into my love for collaboration and iteration. Instead of trying to anticipate everything, this insight reminded me to lean into feedback loops to guide my process.
The best metric and validation is money.
Forget vanity metrics—nothing speaks louder than people paying for your idea. This was a refreshing and clear way to think about validation.
Special thanks to Davide’s grandma.
Her inclusion in every example turned abstract concepts into relatable lessons, grounding everything in real-world scenarios. It added a touch of humor and humanity to the learning process.
This seminar wasn’t just about learning how to navigate the world of business—it was about gaining the confidence to step into it. For someone like me, who often focuses on speculative and idealistic projects, this week offered a much-needed reality check. It showed me that idealism and practicality aren’t opposing forces—they can coexist, and when balanced, they create the foundation for something truly impactful.
The insights I gained felt like more than just lessons; they were reflections on how to approach challenges with clarity and purpose. Davide’s way of teaching, paired with the frameworks and tools he introduced, made me feel more prepared to take my ideas forward. Whether it’s launching a venture, designing a project, or simply starting small, I now feel equipped to navigate the complexities with a practical mindset.
Highlighting again, what stood out the most to me was Davide’s teaching style. He made everything feel approachable, often weaving his grandma into examples to clarify the type of customers we were discussing. I enjoyed every lecture and my interest and curiosity in these topics have been piqued after this week. Even with 2 seminars going on at the same time, I felt myself wanting to spend all my time in this class.
This seminar gave me the tools, confidence, and perspective to turn my ideas into something real and meaningful. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.