Entrepreneurship is the art of transforming ideas into tangible solutions that generate value for the market and for people. It’s a process that requires vision, creativity, and resilience. It means not only starting or managing a company but also having the ability to adapt to change, identify new opportunities, and turn them into actionable projects. Being an entrepreneur entails setting ambitious goals and taking responsibility for the outcomes, accepting the risks tied to decisions, and constantly learning from both successes and failures. At Liocreo, this mindset is part of our DNA: every day, we strive to innovate and improve to bring smart food products to the market that cater to a clientele increasingly attentive to quality and health.

One of the most significant experiences in my career was the launch of our OPI FRUTTA fruit snacks as fresh on the market (we also sell them to supermarkets in Italy’s organized retail sector and partially abroad). This project required a collective effort and represented a complex challenge: we faced technological, economic, and market positioning obstacles. However, it was also a pivotal moment for the team, which demonstrated cohesion, adaptability, and the ability to innovate even in Italy, where tradition is deeply rooted. Although the situation is gradually changing today, interest in innovative products in the food and beverage sector is growing annually, even within organized retail. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that results come from the team’s determination and the ability to value the skills and commitment of each team member, tackling difficulties together with a collaborative spirit. Success isn’t just about having a great product but about building robust processes and fostering a company culture focused on sustainable growth.

Thanks to our innovative, patented technology made in Italy, we dehydrate fruit at -20°C, preserving up to 90% of its nutritional properties (including vitamins). By eliminating the liquid state of water (from ice to vapor) in the fruit, we maintain its quality while guaranteeing an extended shelf life of 18 months. OPI FRUTTA is based in Brisighella, Emilia-Romagna, an area renowned for its historic orchards. OPI FRUTTA freeze-dried snacks (by Liocreo) are made from high-quality fruit selected from our trusted suppliers. Our products are light, tasty, and crispy, melting pleasantly in the mouth. Their naturalness, ensured by our technology, gives OPI FRUTTA snacks a unique flavor compared to others on the market. These snacks are a healthy, ideal option for introducing children to fruit in a fun format, with an exceptional taste and crunchiness. In the competitive landscape, we position ourselves as a premium brand with competitive pricing that never compromises on quality and health, which are values increasingly appreciated by today’s consumers. Additionally, we have recently started offering our freeze-drying service to clients interested in having their products freeze-dried with high-quality results, thanks to our technology. We strongly believe our technology can be an enabler for many players in the food and beverage market, both in Italy and worldwide.

I have several mottos that guide me, but I particularly want to borrow one from Michael Jordan: "...limits, like fears, are often just an illusion." These words reflect two values I consider essential: on the one hand, the importance of always pushing beyond one’s limits, seeking new ideas, processes, and technologies in our case; on the other hand, the need to move forward without being held back by the fear of achieving a goal, no matter how challenging it may be. At Liocreo, this motto translates into our daily commitment to offering the best possible product to consumers and building our company based on the concept of excellence, both internally with the team and externally with our clients and partners.

ELITE represents a great opportunity for small and medium enterprises aspiring to grow in a structured and sustainable way. It’s much more than just a training program: it provides access to an ecosystem of tools, expertise, and connections essential to facing the challenges of the global market. One of its main advantages is the opportunity to improve corporate governance and gain a clearer, more structured vision of long-term objectives. Additionally, access to private and public capital markets is invaluable for understanding how to finance growth and undertake strategic investments. Participating in such a program not only helps expand one’s network but also consolidates the company’s position as an innovative and reliable business.