How I Launched An International Sustainable Transport Business After My Master’s In France

Early in his career, Ugo Annicchiarico realized his desire was to do meaningful work that could enact positive societal change but would also make an impact at a corporate level.

This realization led him on a journey to developing his own company based on sustainable mobility solutions. 

His path to success saw him enroll in the MSc in Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship at emlyon business school. 

To find out how his degree helped guide his career path, BusinessBecause spoke to Ugo about the specialist skills he developed, how he built a global network, and how his studies culminated in the launch of StarBolt, a global venture dedicated to sustainable transportation.

Choosing a business school to elevate entrepreneurial skills 

Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Ugo completed his bachelor’s degree in economics, which he followed with a master’s degree in international business. 

Throughout his academic career, Ugo was interested in understanding the professional environment. This led him to explore numerous internships. It was through these experiences that Ugo realized the kind of business he wanted to work in or potentially launch himself. 

“I wanted both. Something that was oriented towards impact and an overall mission that would benefit society. And something where I would see my actions being deployed and applied to the corporate world,” he says.   

Inspired by this goal, he decided to enroll at business school and looked for a program that would provide him with a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation while offering opportunities to expand his network globally.

“The best way to get ideas is to see what's happening in different countries,” he says. “I was looking for a way to better understand entrepreneurship and travel to elevate my global understanding.”

He felt emlyon's program offered the perfect blend of theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and global exposure, so in 2016 he took the plunge and applied to the program. 

Developing entrepreneurial skills during the program

During his time at emlyon, Ugo honed skills which are crucial for entrepreneurship, including adaptability, curiosity, and networking. 

He was particularly able to strengthen these areas during the cultural immersions that are central to the program. Ugo’s cohort spent six months in China and New York after completing the first six months in Lyon. 

To expand its network and diversify students' experience, emlyon changes the destinations where the Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship program is taught—the current cohort of students are studying across France, Finland, and Vietnam. 

During his international experiences, Ugo embraced cultural diversity, navigated challenges in new environments, and cultivated a curiosity that allowed him to actively explore opportunities. 

“You have to be curious, in a deep and productive way,” he explains. “You have so many opportunities in a new country, and you have to be brave. You need to go outside to talk to people and organize meetings.”

The program's hands-on approach, including group projects and consulting engagements with local companies, allowed him to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. 

This approach was highly beneficial for Ugo. While studying in China, alongside his cofounder—who was in his cohort at emlyon—they met their first business partner during a guest lecture. 

“We met him because he did a presentation for the program, after which we organized a series of meetings, and he became our business partner.”

Launching Starbolt

The global structure of the emlyon MSc—spanning France, China, and the US—provided Ugo with invaluable experiences which helped him launch his vision. 

In China, he witnessed the contrasting forces of environmental challenges and innovative solutions, which helped him evolve his entrepreneurial vision. 

“You see all this pollution from the factories and across the country. But on the other hand, they are the first investors in the clean tech industry and have the biggest number of electric cars in the world.”

While in New York, he experienced the dynamic landscape of mass mobility services and was able to take inspiration from the merging of technology and urban transportation.

Inspired by his experiences in China and New York, Ugo, along with his co-founder, started Starbolt, a subscription based electric bikes company marketed to organizations for hiring. 

Recognizing the potential of electric vehicles and mobility services, in launching the firm they aimed to address environmental concerns while meeting evolving consumer needs. 

By combining innovations from different regions, they developed solutions tailored for the European market, targeting organizations seeking sustainable mobility options. 

Developing partnerships with industry giants like Capgemini and completing successful fundraising rounds, Starbolt quickly gained momentum, establishing itself within the sustainable vehicle space.

From incubation support at emlyon to ongoing connections through initiatives like the emlyon Entrepreneurship Club, the network has provided valuable resources and confidence for Ugo, especially in the early stages of the business.

“It definitely gave us confidence,” he explains. “When you start off, especially as recent graduate entrepreneurs, it provides confidence with companies such as banks, or clients, or any person that is involved.”

However, for Ugo, the main advantage he gained was meeting his cofounder and developing an innovative idea: “emlyon is where it all started.”