ESCP Alumni Featured in Forbes Under 30 Italy: How FunniFin is Transforming Financial Wellbeing

Leonardo Capotosto and Lapo Nidiaci reveal how global experience, resilience and purpose led to the success of their startup, FunniFin

Leonardo Capotosto and Lapo Nidiaci, both graduates of the ESCP Master in Management (MIM) Class of 2021, have been named in the prestigious Forbes Under 30 list for 2025 in Italy in the Finance category. Their inclusion recognises the impact of FunniFin, the startup they co-founded to reshape the way individuals and companies approach financial wellbeing. With a foundation rooted in international education, and a shared entrepreneurial spirit honed at ESCP, their story is one of innovation, adaptability, and purpose.

Forbes Under 30: Recognition as a Source of Drive

Both alumni see their inclusion in the Forbes list as a moment of pride, but also a fresh source of motivation to push further and raise their ambitions. 

“Being named one of Forbes Under 30 is both an honour and a great encouragement,” says Lapo. “Personally, it reminds me that passion and a bit of stubbornness can go a long way. Professionally, it motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and, perhaps, to show that finance can be exciting too.”

Leonardo adds: “Honestly, it still feels surreal. On a personal level, it’s a moment of pride I get to share with my family, who have supported me unconditionally through all the ups and downs. Professionally, it feels like a powerful validation – not only for me, but for the entire FunniFin team. It tells us the problem we’re tackling matters, and that the way we’re doing it is resonating with people. At the same time, it creates a positive pressure to continue raising the bar.”

From Personal Experience to Entrepreneurial Purpose

The inspiration behind FunniFin emerged from their own challenges navigating the financial world as young professionals.

Lapo explains: “I believe financial literacy is one of the superpowers of the future. But the way we teach finance hasn't kept up with the way people live and learn today. FunniFin was born out of a desire to reimagine how people engage with money, especially younger generations. By combining AI with gamification, we aim to make financial education more accessible, engaging, and impactful.”

For Leonardo, the motivation came from first-hand exposure: “In my short experience as an employee, I was struck by how little support there was in making basic financial decisions – setting up a retirement fund, buying insurance, even managing monthly expenses. I felt lost and, more than that, alone. Later I found that this sense of uncertainty is incredibly common. Financial stress is a leading cause of workplace distraction and dissatisfaction. FunniFin was our answer to that – a way to give people the tools and guidance they need to feel confident about their finances.”

Creating Real Impact: One User at a Time

FunniFin provides companies with tailored support for their employees through a dynamic digital platform that delivers valuable resources, live expert consultations, and personalised learning journeys.

Leonardo shares: “We help people with everyday issues like managing bills and taxes, but we’re also there for the big life decisions – from taking out a mortgage to investing for their children’s future. Our goal is to connect users with the right professional at the right moment. It’s about making sure people don’t feel overwhelmed or alone when facing financial choices.”

Lapo continues: “Financial wellbeing is about empowerment. When people feel confident managing their money, they experience less stress and greater long-term growth. Companies are starting to recognise this. Financial stress affects everything – productivity, retention, engagement. By supporting their employees in this way, businesses see a tangible return: better performance, stronger loyalty, and a more resilient workforce.”

Rapid Growth Through Resilience and Reinvention

FunniFin has raised over €1 million and secured partnerships with leading corporates. Yet this success has been anything but linear.

Leonardo shares: “What we’ve achieved so far comes down to the team’s resilience. We had the courage to recognise when our initial product and business model weren’t working, and to pivot quickly – even if that meant starting nearly from scratch. Those early decisions were tough, but they shaped the culture we have today. We also built a culture around deep listening – to our users, to HR teams, and to every piece of feedback. We’ve always asked: is this genuinely improving people’s working lives? If not, we rethink it. That clarity has kept us agile and aligned.”

Lapo adds: “From the beginning, we’ve embraced a data-driven approach. We tested and refined our product continuously, relying on real user insights. That allowed us to move fast, stay relevant, and build strong credibility with both investors and corporate partners. It’s been about staying close to the user, listening carefully, and acting with clarity and purpose.”

ESCP: A Launchpad for Entrepreneurs

Both founders credit ESCP with shaping their entrepreneurial outlook.
“The international nature of ESCP was a game changer for me,” says Lapo, who studied in Turin, Madrid and Paris, with an exchange at Tsinghua University. “During my studies, I developed critical skills in strategic thinking, leadership, and operational execution — all fundamental to building and scaling a startup. The rigorous, hands-on approach of the programme, combined with the international exposure, gave me the tools to navigate complexity, manage uncertainty, and grow FunniFin with a clear vision and strong foundations.”

Leonardo, who also studied across the same ESCP campuses with an exchange semester at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, adds: “ESCP gave me an international mindset and the ability to collaborate with people from very different backgrounds. But even more valuable were the extracurricular activities – like my time as Vice President of JET ESCP and working with Build It Up. Those experiences were like a mini start-up school. I learned how to take initiative, manage projects, and operate under pressure.”

Shaping Strategy Through International Experience

FunniFin’s global outlook is not just a feature of its strategy — it’s embedded in the company’s DNA.

“My international experiences taught me to stay agile, challenge assumptions, and innovate fast,” says Lapo. “At FunniFin, we build with a mindset of constant iteration, open to global trends and user feedback. A global perspective isn’t just about reach — it’s about being faster, smarter, and more adaptable to a changing world.”

For Leonardo, this international mindset has shaped every dimension of the business — from product development to team structure. “Understanding that people approach money differently depending on culture, background, or life stage has been crucial to building something truly inclusive,” he explains. “We’ve created a company culture that embraces diversity not as a slogan, but as a core strategy — remote-friendly, flexible, and globally minded.”

This perspective also informs their ambition. Learning from what works in other countries has helped them tailor their model to the Italian market while keeping an eye on broader European expansion. “That global awareness helped us define a clear long-term vision: to lead the financial wellbeing space in Italy, and then grow beyond,” Leonardo concludes.

Advice for the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

What would they tell current ESCP students?
“Just go for it,” says Lapo. “There will never be a perfect time to start a business. If not now, when? Don’t wait for permission. Start small, learn fast, and don’t be afraid of mistakes. The real danger is waiting too long and missing your moment.”

Leonardo adds: “Start before you feel ready. You’ll never have all the answers. But clarity comes through action. And yes, it’s hard. People romanticise entrepreneurship, but the truth is, you never really feel like you’ve made it. There’s constant uncertainty, and you need to be incredibly resilient. Most importantly, never fall in love with your first idea. It almost never works out the way you expect. Be humble, be adaptable. And enjoy every day – even the tough ones. That’s where the magic happens.”

From classroom discussions at ESCP to co-founding one of Italy’s most innovative fintech ventures, Leonardo Capotosto and Lapo Nidiaci exemplify a new generation of entrepreneurs who combine global thinking with local impact. Through FunniFin, they are reshaping not only how individuals interact with money, but how employers understand their role in supporting employee wellbeing. Their story is one of courage, collaboration and continuous growth.