First of all, we would like to know who’s behind the keyboard.
My name is Marcello Favalli, and I am the CEO of SiWeGO, an innovative startup revolutionizing logistics with a focus on sustainability. I hold a degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Operation Management, but my professional journey began at the Italian Air Force Academy, where I developed discipline, leadership, and a strong sense of sacrifice.
I gained valuable professional experience as a sales manager in multinational companies, refining my understanding of logistics dynamics and customer needs. This expertise inspired the vision behind SiWeGO, a platform that optimizes unused transport space by connecting those who need to ship items with those already traveling.
As CEO, I’ve had the privilege of significant personal and professional growth, supported by the many accelerator programs that SiWeGO has successfully participated in. These experiences provided the tools to refine our business model and scale our operations effectively. I am driven by a passion for innovation and the opportunity to create lasting positive impact—improving logistics efficiency, generating new economic opportunities, and contributing to a greener, more sustainable future. At SiWeGO, we like to say: It’s not enough to do a good job; we have to do good with our job!
Tell us more about your startup. What problem do you solve? Who’s your audience? What motivated you to found it?
SiWeGO addresses the inefficiency and high costs in the logistics and transportation sectors by optimizing unused vehicle space for shipping purposes, creating a sustainable, cost-effective solution.
The core problems identified are:
For Senders (Individuals & SMEs):
- Shipping medium and large packages is often expensive and requires considerable preparation. For private individuals, there’s often no affordable or flexible option to send non-standard
packages, such as a bicycle or large furniture. - SMEs face high logistics costs for transporting goods, particularly if they lack their own transport network. This is especially challenging for smaller manufacturers who may need quick, affordable shipping solutions.
For the Transport Industry (Professional Drivers & SMEs):
- In Europe, 25% of transport vehicles operate with empty space, leading to inefficiency, fuel waste, and unnecessary emissions. In Italy, this inefficiency translates to over 1.1 million vehicles traveling with unused space.
We also identified an opportunity for Private Vehicle Owners (Commuters, Students, etc.): many private vehicles in Europe carry only 1.33 people per trip, leaving an average of three empty seats and trunk space that could be utilized for extra income. For example, a commuter or student traveling regularly could easily transport goods along their route, offsetting travel costs and reducing overall transport emissions.
How the Problem Affects Users – The high cost of logistics and limited options negatively impact both senders and transporters:
- Senders struggle to find cost-effective ways to send large items, particularly for non-standard routes, which can deter personal and business shipments.
- Transport companies incur significant operational costs due to unused vehicle space, reducing profitability and increasing environmental impact.
- Private individuals with available space miss out on a potential income source, while cities bear the burden of increased traffic congestion and emissions from inefficient transport networks.
SiWeGO’s solution is thus in high demand as it enables senders to access affordable shipping, helps transporters maximize vehicle utilization, and provides private individuals with an opportunity to monetize their regular travel routes.
We solve all these issues through our innovative and smart platform that thanks to an efficient matchmaking algorithm match senders with transporters (privates or professional transporters) if and only if they are already on the same route.
We’re curious to learn about your team.
The SiWeGO team is a dynamic group of professionals, each contributing key expertise to drive innovation in sustainable logistics:
- Davide Ragazzi, CTO & Co-Founder: A Software Engineer, Web Strategist, and Data Scientist, Davide leads SiWeGO’s technology development, ensuring a high-performance platform tailored to logistics needs.
- Giulia Palumbo, CMO & Co-Founder: With expertise in Digital Marketing and Social Media Advertising, Giulia manages SiWeGO’s digital marketing strategy, enhancing brand reach and engagement.
- Alina Filip, Social Media Manager: Alina builds and nurtures SiWeGO’s online community, managing our social media presence to boost brand awareness and user interaction.
- Lucrezia Veronesi, UX/UI Designer: Lucrezia designs an intuitive and user-friendly experience, ensuring SiWeGO’s platform is accessible, appealing, and optimized for usability.
- Jacopo Carretta, Operations Manager: Jacopo oversees logistics operations, managing the efficient matching of senders and drivers, and optimizing workflow.
- Simone Degiacomi, App & Software Developer: Simone brings technical skills to app development, focusing on building a reliable and efficient
platform that meets user expectations.
Advisors and Partners
- Raffaele Bonizzato: President at Gruppo Sinergia, Raffaele has extensive strategic experience, having held roles such as president, CEO, and board member for major companies. His expertise in logistics and strategy is invaluable for SiWeGO’s growth.
- Alessandra Beschi: CFO at Messaggerie del Garda, Alessandra has over 15 years of experience in logistics. As co-founder of Messaggerie del Garda, her knowledge in supply chain management and her network provide strategic support to SiWeGO.
Together, this talented team combines skills in technology, marketing, operations, and strategy to revolutionize logistics, delivering a sustainable and innovative solution.
What is the biggest progress you’ve achieved during our accelerator?
During the Rubik Garage accelerator program, SiWeGO has made significant strides. Through insightful webinars, we gained valuable knowledge that helped us refine our strategy and improve our pitch, making it more compelling and aligned with investor expectations. This has strengthened our ability to communicate SiWeGO’s value proposition clearly and effectively.
Additionally, the program facilitated connections with potential investors, opening doors for future funding opportunities and partnerships that will support our growth and scalability. These achievements have been instrumental in positioning SiWeGO for the next stage of development and expansion.
What role did mentorship play in your experience, and how did it impact your startup’s growth?
Mentorship has played a fundamental role in my experience as a CEO and has been critical to SiWeGO’s growth. Among the many mentors who have supported me, two stand out for their profound impact: Daniela Sannicolò and Augusto Coppola.
Daniela Sannicolò was the first mentor who believed in me and SiWeGO. She is a person of incredible humanity, and her support came at a pivotal moment when I was close to giving up. After just three months of incubation, I lost my first three co-founders and felt overwhelmed by the challenges. Daniela convinced me not to abandon the project, encouraging me to persevere and guiding me through that difficult phase. Her empathy and support were not only professional but deeply personal, giving me the strength to rebuild and move forward. I owe her a great deal for helping me find the resilience I needed.
Augusto Coppola, on the other hand, has profoundly shaped SiWeGO’s journey with his immense competence, intelligence, and experience in the startup ecosystem. Beyond his extraordinary professional insight, Augusto’s humor and warm approach make him truly exceptional. He taught me an important lesson: while working hard is essential, finding joy in the process is just as crucial. This was a principle I had already observed during my time at Nestlé, where our General Manager always had a sharp, witty remark to lighten the mood and motivate the team. Augusto embodies this spirit perfectly, blending brilliance with a human touch, making learning from him both inspiring and enjoyable.
If I had to choose the mentors who have had the greatest influence on SiWeGO, it would undoubtedly be Daniela and Augusto. Their extraordinary human and professional qualities have left an indelible mark on me and the company. I am also happy to say that we are still in regular contact, continuing to exchange ideas and insights. They are not just mentors but true pillars in this entrepreneurial journey.
How has the experience in the acceleration program influenced your vision for the future of your startup? What are your next steps and goals as you continue to grow and evolve your startup?
The Rubik Garage acceleration program has reinforced our vision of expanding SiWeGO across Europe, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe. This experience highlighted the strong potential for our platform in the Romanian market and confirmed the strategic importance of establishing connections between Romania and Italy.
Our next steps include prioritizing development in Romania, tailoring our solution to meet the needs of the local market, and strengthening logistics links between Romania and Italy. This will position SiWeGO as a key player in sustainable logistics across these regions, paving the way for broader European expansion
Why would you recommend Rubik Garage to other startup founders?
I would highly recommend Rubik Garage to other startup founders for several reasons. First, the quality and professionalism of the guest speakers in the webinars provide invaluable insights and learning opportunities. Second, the program is perfectly organized, with a highly competent and supportive staff who are always available to help. Finally, Rubik Garage offers access to a strong network of investors and industry professionals, which is essential for startups seeking growth and funding opportunities. This program is an exceptional resource for any founder looking to take their startup to the next level.
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know?
Yes, I’d like to say: trust us. Don’t focus solely on metrics, because as a marketplace in the sharing economy, without significant funding, we cannot yet show their full potential. Instead, evaluate us based on what a startup is meant to be, according to all theories: innovative, scalable, and replicable. And that is exactly what SiWeGO is—a company with immense potential, a fantastic team that is competent, professional, reliable, and made up of genuinely good people.
SiWeGO already has a solid product (always open to improvement), but it needs a strong marketing campaign to gain visibility. And for that, capital is essential.
This is also a very important moment for SiWeGO: we are currently working on a very ambitious project proposal together with E-Vai, a company from the FNM Group (the group managing railways and public transport in Lombardy, serving about 800,000 passengers daily).
Trust us—we truly have the potential to become a unicorn.
