Rosario Marrazzo
Product @ Coverflex
Edition
ACE! 2025
Topic: Why Product in Startups Is Nothing Like You Imagined
Thinking of joining a startup as a Product Manager? Or maybe you already did - and you’re wondering why nothing feels like what the books promised.
In this talk, we’ll bust some of the most common myths about working in product at a startup, uncovering the surprising realities that often catch people off guard. It’s not just about fewer meetings and faster shipping—it’s a whole different job than most expect.
Based on real (and occasionally painful) lessons from five years in early-stage startups, and now working at one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech scaleups, I’ll share the insights I wish someone had given me earlier. You’ll walk away with practical advice and a clearer picture of what it truly means to build product in a startup—so you can be ready for it, or decide it’s not your thing after all.
Biography:
Rosario has spent the past few years deep in the trenches of early-stage startups, often as the first PM - and sometimes even the first employee - building products from 0 to 1. Today, he leads the Italian product team at Coverflex, one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech scaleups.
Beyond his day job, Rosario is an active contributor to the product community - sharing learnings through university guest lectures, speaking at top European conferences, and collaborating with international product communities to help grow the next generation of product talents.