This time, we sat down with Valentina Lidoni, Founder of Rilemo and mentor at TEF Ignition, to talk about her mission to bring life-saving diagnostic imaging closer to where patients actually are.
What began as a collaboration between researchers at the Politecnico di Milano and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics has grown into a startup developing wearable brain imaging technology designed to support faster medical decisions in critical moments. In this conversation, Valentina reflects on the realities of building a deep-tech company at a young age, the challenges of turning research into a startup, and why mentorship matters for the next generation of founders.
Q1. If you had to explain your project to someone who knows nothing about the sector you operate in, what would you say?
Rilemo is a medtech startup developing portable medical imaging devices to bring diagnostic capabilities closer to where patients actually are. Today diagnoses rely on CT scans or MRI machines located in hospital radiology departments that require specialized infrastructure. Emergencies often occur outside those environments, where clinicians lack tools to obtain imaging quickly. Ultrasound exists but cannot penetrate bone and therefore cannot look inside the skull.
At Rilemo we are developing wearable headbands that acquire a three-dimensional representation of the brain in seconds by analyzing tissue dielectric properties. The goal is to help clinicians detect anomalies such as fluid accumulations. We do not replace CT or MRI but bring diagnostic insight where those technologies cannot reach.
Q2. How did the project begin?
Rilemo was born from the merging of two research teams with complementary expertise. One developed AI algorithms for medical image analysis at the Politecnico di Milano, while the other worked on physical imaging systems at the National Institute for Nuclear Physics. We met during the Switch2Product program (hosted by PoliHub – Politecnico di Milano innovation hub) thanks to a mentor supporting both teams. We quickly realized we shared the same vision: bringing diagnostic technologies closer to clinicians and enabling faster, more accessible diagnosis. Our skills in imaging hardware, physics, and artificial intelligence were highly complementary. That shared vision and complementary expertise ultimately led us to found Rilemo.
Q3. If you could go back, would you do anything differently?
I would not fundamentally change the path we took. When we decided to found the company there was a real sense of stepping into the unknown. We had interest from hospitals, and to access acceleration programs and funding we needed to formally establish the company. As first-time founders it was a leap of faith. Of course, along the way you learn things that might have helped you move faster in hindsight. But many lessons only come from actually doing the work. Even though the journey has been extremely challenging, I am very proud of what we have built so far.
Q4. What does it mean to lead a project under thirty in Italy?
It is both challenging and rewarding. Building a startup in medical technology already requires navigating scientific, technological, regulatory, and financial challenges. Sometimes there is also skepticism toward young founders in highly technical fields. Part of the journey therefore becomes demonstrating every day that we can build something real: developing technology, creating jobs, and contributing to innovation. It is also meaningful to see more women in leadership roles within deep-tech and entrepreneurship. Ultimately, it shows young people that building ambitious companies is possible even at a young age.
Q5. What surprised you most about building a startup?
I initially thought the main challenge would be developing the technology. In reality, building a startup involves much more. Beyond technical development you must manage fundraising, company structure, legal frameworks, partnerships, and team management. Fundraising alone is a demanding process that is often underestimated. Maintaining a healthy company structure and managing day-to-day operations are also fundamental. Turning an idea into a company means balancing technology development with building and sustaining the organization around it. It requires constantly learning beyond your original expertise.
Q6. What obstacles did you have to overcome?
Startup life is often described as a roller coaster, and that description is accurate. Challenges range from structuring the company and raising capital to finding the right people and building partnerships with clinical institutions. Managing relationships with multiple partners is also complex. However, the common element across these challenges is people. Our team has always remained open and eager to learn from those with more experience. Over time we built a network of mentors, advisors, and investors who guide us. Beyond the technology, the community surrounding the company is one of our greatest strengths.
Q7. How important were accelerators in your journey?
Accelerators played a very important role. The founding teams first met during the Switch2Product program, which helped us understand the importance of staying close to clinicians, the final users of the technology. Through that ecosystem and PoliHub we connected with advisors and clinical experts who still support the company today. Later we joined B4i – Bocconi for Innovation, Bocconi’s entrepreneurial hub, to strengthen the legal and financial foundations and prepare for fundraising. We also participated in Seed4Innovation, UniMi’s Accelerator program and I3P, the Incubator of Politecnico di Torino. These ecosystems together played a key role in our growth.
Q8. Why did you decide to mentor at TEF Ignition?
Mentors were one of the most important elements in my own journey. Having someone with more experience who believes in your project can make an enormous difference. Sometimes simply hearing “you can do this” changes how you approach a challenge. Becoming a mentor is a way of giving something back and supporting people at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. It is also meaningful for young women who may not always see many role models in technology and entrepreneurship. Helping someone believe in their idea and take the first step is incredibly rewarding.