The project
The FuckUp Nights initiative arrives in Vicenza where negative experiences are shared: «It’s like a rehabilitation program»
Cosetta Masi and Matteo Pozzi, the promoters of the format in the capital, during one of the first public events
Cosetta Masi and Matteo Pozzi, the promoters of the format in the capital, during one of the first public events
Failure is not final and certain mistakes can turn out to be great opportunities. These are the principles of FuckUp Nights, a confession format in which entrepreneurs and professionals take to the stage to tell their failures.
The idea of bringing these evenings to the city was Cosetta Masi’s, a lawyer. “You can’t innovate if you don’t take into account the possibility of making mistakes.” Matteo Pozzi, CEO of Elevator Innovation Hub, the technology hub that hosted the first meetings, was immediately involved in the project. Pozzi was also the first to put his face to it, baptizing the Fuckup Nights as a speaker in March 2023. In his speech, he talked about a professional misadventure dating back to six years earlier, when, as an electronic engineer, he was working on an ambitious project for the creation of a safety device capable of stopping a machine tool before an accident could happen.
“We had to be the first in the world to develop this technology,” Pozzi says. “After six months, we organized a first demo in Brescia to show investors the good results achieved.” However, at the best moment, the instrument did not work and the presentation turned out to be a huge fiasco. Later, it was discovered that during transport, vibrations had moved a lens by 20 microns (the thickness of a human hair is 100 microns), causing the device to malfunction.
“After two years of work, we fixed everything and registered patents, a large part of which concern the solutions to the problem that had occurred during the first demo. That failure has therefore revealed itself to be a great value”, concludes Pozzi. Very often the stories of the speakers also cross over into the personal sphere as in the case of Arianna Livrieri from Isola Vicentina, who told how she faced the failure of the family business, which matured in the complex context of the 2008 construction crisis.
After years of sacrifices, in 2015 the bankruptcy procedure was started which ended with the sale of the company to a Dutch multinational.
“When something like this happens to you, you’re out of breath from the moment you get up to the moment you go to bed,” she says. “We had a small-town company with 60 families on our shoulders. And it was very hard when I found myself having to fire 17 people who had seen me grow up. These are difficult times, but it’s important to understand that you can get out of them, but not alone. One of the pieces of advice I give to entrepreneurs is to ask for help. If you fail, you’re not a failure. This is the entrepreneurial drive. After all, businesses have a history, a life and they die too.” The path she took changed her profoundly: “During this experience, I experienced a great lack of emotional support. Few people realize that the entrepreneur is alone. After the failure, I studied coaching. Today, I stand alongside entrepreneurs in times of change and I follow family businesses in generational transitions.” Getting on stage to talk about such a delicate moment in her life was an important step. “Sharing these experiences is vital,” Arianna Livrieri concludes. For me, FuckUp Nights was a healing journey. In this passage you heal the wounds, because telling a failure becomes an opportunity”.
And inspire others.
Table of Contents
Embracing Failure: The Rise of FuckUp Nights in Vicenza
In a world where success is often glorified, failure is often shrouded in shame and secrecy. However, a unique initiative is challenging this notion by providing a platform for entrepreneurs and professionals to share their stories of failure and mistake-making. FuckUp Nights, a global movement that began in Mexico, has finally arrived in Vicenza, Italy, with the aim of promoting a culture of openness, learning, and growth.
A Rehabilitation Program for Failures
The concept of FuckUp Nights is simple yet powerful. Entrepreneurs and professionals take to the stage to share their personal stories of failure, detailing the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and the opportunities that arose from their mistakes. This unique format allows individuals to confront their failures head-on, rather than sweeping them under the rug.
Cosetta Masi, a lawyer, and Matteo Pozzi, CEO of Elevator Innovation Hub, were instrumental in bringing FuckUp Nights to Vicenza. Masi believes that “you can’t innovate if you don’t take into account the possibility of making mistakes.” Pozzi, who was the first speaker at the inaugural event in March 2023, echoes this sentiment, stating that “failure is not final and that certain mistakes can turn out to be great opportunities.”
A Safe Space for Vulnerability
The FuckUp Nights format provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to share their stories of failure, often with a dash of humor and humility. Pozzi’s own story, which he shared at the first event, is a testament to this. He recounted a professional misadventure dating back six years, when he was working on an ambitious project to create a safety device. Despite months of work, the demo failed miserably, only to discover later that a minuscule lens movement had caused the malfunction. However, this failure ultimately led to the development of valuable patents and solutions.
Arianna Livrieri, another speaker, shared a deeply personal story of failure, detailing the struggles her family business faced during the 2008 construction crisis. The eventual bankruptcy and sale of the company to a Dutch multinational was a difficult but valuable lesson in resilience and perseverance. Livrieri’s story highlights the importance of seeking help and support, emphasizing that “if you fail, you’re not a failure. This is the entrepreneurial drive.”
The Power of Storytelling
The FuckUp Nights initiative is more than just a platform for sharing stories of failure. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of community in overcoming adversity. By sharing their experiences, speakers can help others avoid similar mistakes, while also fostering a culture of openness and collaboration.
As the FuckUp Nights movement continues to grow in Vicenza, it’s clear that the benefits extend far beyond the individual speakers. The initiative promotes a shift in mindset, encouraging entrepreneurs and professionals to view failure not as the end, but as a stepping stone to success.
Conclusion
In a world where perfection is often the perceived goal, FuckUp Nights offers a refreshing alternative. By embracing failure and mistake-making, we can learn to grow, adapt, and innovate. As Cosetta Masi so eloquently puts it, “You can’t innovate if you don’t take into account the possibility of making mistakes.” The rise of FuckUp Nights in Vicenza is a testament to this philosophy, providing a safe space for individuals to share their stories, learn from their mistakes,
Embracing Failure: The FuckUp Nights Initiative Arrives in Vicenza
Failure is not final, and certain mistakes can turn out to be great opportunities. This is the core principle of FuckUp Nights, a unique format where entrepreneurs and professionals take to the stage to share their stories of failure. The initiative has now arrived in Vicenza, Italy, with a group of innovators and entrepreneurs leading the way.
A Platform for Sharing Negative Experiences
The concept of FuckUp Nights is simple yet powerful: to provide a platform for individuals to share their negative experiences, educating and inspiring others with their stories of perseverance and resilience. In Vicenza, the initiative was brought to life by Cosetta Masi, a lawyer, who believes that innovation can only happen when we acknowledge the possibility of making mistakes.
The First Event: A Success Story
The first FuckUp Nights event in Vicenza was held at the Elevator Innovation Hub, a technology hub that has become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the city. Matteo Pozzi, CEO of Elevator Innovation Hub, was the first to take the stage, sharing his own story of failure and redemption. Pozzi spoke about a professional misadventure that dated back six years, when he was working on an ambitious project to create a safety device capable of stopping a machine tool before an accident could happen.
A Story of Perseverance
Pozzi’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation. Despite the initial failure of the project, he and his team were able to identify the problem, fix it, and eventually register patents for their solutions. The initial failure turned out to be a valuable learning experience, revealing new insights and opportunities for growth.
Crossing into the Personal Sphere
The stories shared at FuckUp Nights often cross over into the personal sphere, as seen in the case of Arianna Livrieri from Isola Vicentina. Livrieri shared her story of facing the failure of her family business, which was crippled by the 2008 construction crisis. After years of sacrifices, the company was eventually sold to a Dutch multinational, leaving Livrieri to reflect on the value of perseverance and seeking help.
The Importance of Asking for Help
Livrieri’s story highlights the importance of asking for help when faced with failure. “When something like this happens to you, you’re out of breath from the moment you get up to the moment you go to bed,” she says. “We had a small-town company with 60 families on our shoulders. And it was very hard when I found myself having to fire 17 people who had seen me grow up.”
A Rehabilitation Program for Entrepreneurs
FuckUp Nights is more than just a platform for sharing stories of failure; it’s a rehabilitation program for entrepreneurs and innovators. By sharing their experiences, individuals can help others avoid similar mistakes, while also finding solace in the fact