The Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) project “is a cross-border exchange programme which gives new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other Participating Countries”. Nextome has enthusiastically joined this program, recognizing the immense opportunities for growth and development it offers. 

Among the many interesting programs promoted by the European Union, Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is much more than a simple exchange program. It is a bridge that connects cultures, ideas, and skills, fostering international cooperation and innovation. Through this program, students, trainees, teachers, and professionals can experience formative experiences abroad, enriching their cultural and professional backgrounds while they spend time with experienced entrepreneurs. 

Nextome has always believed in the value of diversity and innovation, since it is of utmost importance in the market of indoor positioning and indoor localization. Participating in Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs has allowed the company to: 

• Access International Talents: Thanks to EYE, Nextome has been able to host young talents from other countries, enriching its team with new perspectives and skills in several fields, spanning from GPS to RFID and Industrial IoT. 

• Promote Innovation: The encounter with different cultures and ideas has stimulated creativity and innovation within the company, leading to increasingly advanced and competitive solutions in the IoT domain.

• Strengthening the Network of Collaborations: Participation in the program has allowed Nextome to establish and consolidate relationships with international partners, competitors, and research institutions, creating a fruitful network of collaborations. Thanks to those collaborations, research projects and initiatives were born to improve location-based services, for example in the asset tracking domain.  

• Contribute to the Training of Young People: Hosting young entrepreneurs, firmly planning to set up their own business, has allowed Nextome to actively contribute to the training of future generations of professionals, offering them a stimulating and formative environment. 

Despite the difficulties encountered during the COVID-19 period, Nextome has demonstrated a constant commitment to supporting the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program. After a brief stop due to health restrictions, the company enthusiastically resumed hosting participants from all over the world, ensuring them a safe and enriching experience. 

 

 

 

One of the participants hosted by Nextome shared his thoughts about the extremely positive experience: 

Krisjanis (Latvia), Senior Software Engineer at Klarna: “At my time during Erasmus, I had the chance to work closely with the co-founders of NexToMe, learning from and being mentored by them. This experience provided me with valuable insights into both the technology behind indoor positioning and the entrepreneurial aspects of running an IOT startup. Vincenzo ensured I gained a deep understanding of their problem space while giving me the freedom to explore different aspects of the startup. Domenico’s focus on business development offered insights into how they planned for growth and partnerships. Giangi’s technical knowledge clarified some of the engineering challenges they were solving. Seeing how a startup operates in a different cultural setting gave me the opportunity to reflect and draw inspiration for my later experiences working in startups.  

Overall, from this experience, I have been enriched with: 

• Insights into indoor positioning technology, the challenges it presents, and how the team is successfully solving them. 

• An expanded international network, which I’ve had the chance to use and rely on. 

• A great example of multi-cofounder startup dynamics. 

• Valuable exposure to a different cultural setting. 

• And, of course, a newfound love for Italy. 

This experience has been one of my foundational experiences in startups, and I appreciate the team’s efforts in making it as fulfilling as possible.” 

The value of the initiative is also acknowledged by the members of the team: 

Domenico: "I take pride in contributing to a dynamic and innovative environment that unequivocally values cultural and professional diversity. A standout feature of our experience is our active participation in the EYE program, a prominent European initiative that drives learning, training, and exchange among students and trainees from diverse countries." 

Piero says: “It’s inspiring to see the enthusiasm that those people bring to the company. Their dynamic attitude and commitment to work make them truly exceptional.” 

Nextome looks to the future with optimism, ready to seize all the opportunities Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs offers to research and improve the RTLS technological landscape. The company is determined to maintain its role as a leader in technological innovation while contributing to the training of young talents and promoting international cooperation. 

In conclusion, Nextome’s participation in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs project represents a virtuous example of how companies can benefit from international exchange programs, while promoting values of inclusion, innovation, and shared growth.