Matteo Vismara is the leader and Co-founder of the company, serving as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He graduated with honors in Physics from the University of Milan, specializing in physics of matter, and studied how light propagates in a turbulent medium during his master's thesis. As part of the research group developing technologies for optical communications, he is co-author of three articles (currently in submission) on the characterization of atmospheric turbulence and the development of integrated optical-communication technologies.
In 2024, Matteo began building SatEnlight: he assessed the optical-communication market and developed the underlying technology together with his co-founder and the professors who patented it. He founded the company in 2025 and has since served as its sole director and CEO. Under his leadership, SatEnlight has raised approximately €1,500,000 across a Proof-of-Concept project and a pre-seed round, and has earned prestigious recognitions — the Best Space Startup award at SatShow 2026 in Washington D.C., the Thales Alenia Space Award, and the StartCup Lombardia prize.
The company has also joined ESA BIC Padua and won Area Science Park's "Deeptech Revolution" grant, securing around €250,000 in combined awards and grants.
Previously, Matteo served for four years as President of the Italian Association of Physics Students, leading the organization of several national and international events. Among these, PLANCKS2023 stands out — a global event he organized, chaired, and directed, raising €108,000; in total, the executive committee he led raised more than €200,000. These roles allowed him to develop strong leadership, organizational, and management skills.
A fellow of the Silicon Valley Fellowship, Matteo has built important connections across San Francisco and Silicon Valley. He has completed an MIT course on the New Space Economy and is a candidate in MIB Trieste's MBA Business Innovation Program. In 2026, he was listed among Forbes Under 30 Europe.
