Federico Smanio
CEO of Wylab
Federico Smanio is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder for several Serie B and lower-division clubs, including Cremonese and Carpenedolo, before retiring in 2008. After his playing career, he transitioned into the business and innovation side of sports.
He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Wylab, a sport-tech incubator and accelerator that supports startups at the intersection of sports, wellness, and technology. Smanio also serves as Program Director for WeSportUp, Italy's first accelerator focused on sport and wellness tech, backed by CDP Venture Capital and Sport e Salute.
Through his work, he advises sports organisations on data-driven decision-making, fan engagement, and the adoption of new technologies – areas that increasingly overlap with the iGaming and gambling sector, as evidenced by his speaking engagements at SiGMA and other gambling-industry events.