OUR HISTORY
The History of Mavigex
Twenty years of innovation with the same goal: turning data into opportunities.
2005
From university research to Mavigex.
Mavigex was founded in 2005 within the Telecommunications Engineering laboratories at the University of Bologna.
Founded as a university spin-off, it has from the very beginning provided young engineers with an opportunity for professional growth, allowing them to engage in research and development projects on a European scale.
The company was officially incorporated on March 10, 2005, by professors and researchers from the University of Bologna:
- Emanuele Giovanni Corazza
- Alessandro Vanelli Coralli
- Kussai Shahin
In these early years, Mavigex formed a strategic partnership with the Center for Advanced Research on Electronic Systems (ARCES) at the University of Bologna, supporting R&D activities in satellite communications. In this context, the company actively contributed to the DVB-RCS+M standardization (by introducing spreading techniques and code synchronization algorithms) and participated in working groups for the DVB-RCS Next Generation standard.
The company plays a leading role in working groups tasked with drafting regulatory documents and guidelines, integrating its custom solutions for the physical layer into the DVB-RCS+M and DVB-RCS2 industry standards.
At the same time, it has launched an international collaboration with the South Korean research institute ETRI to study advanced transmission schemes aimed at further developing the DVB-S2 standard.
2007
From satellite communications to mobile technologies.
In 2007, Mavigex expanded its horizons into the mobile technology sector, developing its first touchscreen applications for Nokia devices. With the rapid proliferation of smartphones and the evolution of the app market, the company recognized the potential of this digital transformation.
Alongside its activities in the telecommunications sector, Mavigex is gradually expanding its expertise in software development, complementing its applied research with new services focused on web and mobile applications, IoT consulting, and User Experience (UX), always with a strong commitment to innovation.
To support this growth, the “Applications & Services” business unit was established in 2009, led by Massimo Neri. The new unit works alongside the ICT Solutions research division with the goal of identifying new market opportunities.
Among the activities during this period is the collaboration with Rai Way on the introduction of DAB+ systems in Italy, providing technical support for radio planning and the certification of digital receivers.
In addition, Mavigex is participating as a scientific partner and coordinator in the European project SkyMedia (7th Framework Program, FP7), aimed at developingan end-to-end multimedia architecture for live events by integrating video streams from drones (UAVs) and ground-based sensor networks (WSANs), which was tested during the Turin Marathon.
2011
IoT and an accredited laboratory.
In 2011, Rosalba Suffritti took over as head of the ICT Solutions division, coordinating the European projects (FP7 and ESA) in the field of satellite communications.
In 2012, Mavigex received accreditation as a laboratory in the Emilia-Romagna Region’s High Technology Network.
In recent years, expertise in Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The Applications & Services division has established itself as a technology partner for innovative startups, supporting them in the design of application architectures, APIs, and web services.
Among the first companies it has supported are successful scale-ups and platforms such as Spreaker and Blomming.
2013
Two growing pillars: research and digital services.
Mavigex continues its commitment to research activities funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Union for the development of the satellite telecommunications systems of the future, participating in major projects such as:
The Applications & Services division is also expanding its client portfolio by working with leading industrial companies such as Technogym and Lepidaand by establishing strategic partnerships with consulting and digital transformation firms such as Vidiemme Consulting, Mutado (DeAgostini Group), and Insana.
2015
From research and development to the software market.
In September 2015, the Shareholders’ Meeting approved a gradual strategic repositioning of the company, focusing all resources on the business unit Applications & Servicesdivision.
This process led to the gradual closure of the ICT research division, which was completed in October 2016 with the conclusion of the last ESA project.
The decision was driven by changes in the research landscape and by the desire to invest heavily in the software development and digital transformation market, where demand for high-value-added services was growing steadily.
However, this change does not mark the end of Mavigex’s research and development activities.
In 2015, the company successfully participated in the development of VINTAGE, a European project focused on creating an intuitive decision-making system for integrated vineyard management, aimed at optimizing resources and addressing production variability.
The expertise gained over the years thus continues to be applied to the design of new software and digital solutions that are increasingly tailored to the needs of businesses and the market.
2017
Consolidation in the corporate market.
Over the past five years, Mavigex has consolidated its position in the corporate market: partnerships with leading clients, such asBologna Airport and BePower/Plenitude—which initially began with specific innovation projects—have evolved over time into long-lasting partnerships that continue to this day.
Alongside its corporate sector, Mavigex continues to invest in European projects, participating in cutting-edge initiatives such as FAIR, an advanced on-demand insurance system based on real-time analysis of driving behavior. During the pandemic, the company successfully adopted a fully remote work model. The company’s organizational strength and the team’s positive response have made this approach a permanent and structured operational standard.
2022
Joining SocialCities: Where Technology and Marketing Meet.
On December 20, 2022, Mavigex joined SocialCities, a web agency based in Imola.
The transaction strengthens the corporate structure: Mavigex retains its role as the group’s center of excellence and technological development, while SocialCities takes over the management of marketing, web design, and CRM activitiesunder the leadership of Andrea Lugli.
2023
Growing Together, Starting with People.
The group's growth also depends on how people work together.
SocialCities has earned Great Place to Work certification, a recognition that emphasizes the quality of the work experience and trust among colleagues and managers.
This is an important milestone in the group's history: diverse skills can complement one another and grow when they find an environment in which to collaborate.
In the journey shared by Mavigex and SocialCities, innovation also means asking ourselves whether the solutions we create are truly usable by the people they are intended for.
That is whydigital accessibility had become an issue to which we decided to devote increasing attention, and that is how our partnership with Userway came about.
2025
New skills, new business units.
In 2025, Mavigex completedthe integration of SocialCities, incorporating its expertise and client portfolio in the areas of CRM, e-commerce, and corporate websites.
This marks the launch of the new MarTech business unit, alongside a unit dedicated to Consumer Intelligence.
In line with the adventof Artificial Intelligence, Mavigex contributes to various research and development projects by implementing RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systems for public and private companies. It is in this context that FinCheck was launched—an R&D project carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF)— which reaffirms the company’s ongoing commitment to experimenting with and developing cutting-edge technological solutions.
As the culmination of this journey of growth and organizational maturation, Mavigex has achieved ISO certification, confirming the high quality standards of its processes and services.
LET'S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER