Luiss graduate Roberto Ricci is CEO and co-founder of Busrapido, the first web site in Italy to rent buses and drivers. The idea was recently named best innovative idea by the young entrepreneur section of Confindustria Capri during their annual startup competition.
After completing a bachelor’s program in Economics and Management, Roberto registered for the master’s program in Business Accounting. “My years at LUISS were very productive, their degree programs shape professionals to work in large companies and consulting agencies in both Italy and abroad.”
While at Luiss, Roberto was Treasurer of the Erasmus Student Network, the association of volunteers that help international students feel at home in Rome. “We organized a lot of cultural events to strengthen the sense of community. Our group trips were the best opportunities to get to know each other.”
“After a few trips, Gabriele Saija, the co-founder of Busrapido, and I noticed how difficult it was to reserve a bus. There weren’t any sites you could use to reserve a bus with a few easy clicks, so we made it ourselves.”
Founded in 2016, Busrapido aims to make it fast and easy to book transportation for a group trip.
“My time at Luiss gave me the instruments and the forma mentis to best take on this adventure. Students are well monitored while being offered top academic and professional preparation, topped off with close attention to soft skills.”
Among Roberto’s fondest university memories are his six-month Erasmus experience in Holland, his time at the university startup incubator i-Lab Luiss, a trip to Ireland organized by the Career Services Office to tour the offices of Google and AirBnb, and his trip to Israel with the LUISS alumni association to learn more about the country’s startup ecosystem.
Of all those he came across during his studies, some of the most influential figures were “General Manager Giovanni Lo Storto and Alumni Association President Daniele Pelli, who encouraged us and supported us from the very beginning of our project and Professor Maximo Ibarra, my thesis advisor who helped me develop what would become Busrapido."
In Roberto’s opinion, what makes Luiss stand out is the University's extracurricular activities that make it a true melting pot and allowed him to make friends with students from 37 countries.”