UniBo Motorsport

What UniBo Motorsport does

UniBo Motorsport is the official racing team of the University of Bologna, operating as a student-led amateur sports association (Bologna Motorsport A.S.D., VAT 03177551201) out of its headquarters at Via Edoardo Collamarini 8, Bologna, Italy. Founded in 2009, the organization fields over 350 students across three parallel vehicle development programs: a Hybrid Formula SAE car, a Fully Electric Formula SAE car, and a MotoStudent electric motorcycle prototype. The team's portfolio includes named prototypes such as Genesi, Athena, Visione, Ultimae LM, Integrale 636, Tenace GN, Albirea, Vega, Nemesi, Minerva, and Alpha Leonis, with technical depth spanning carbon fiber monocoque construction (collaborated with Lamborghini Squadra Corse), Ducati Superquadro Mono engines, SPARK control units (Alma Automotive), wind tunnel validation (Aerotunnel), and simulation stacks from Siemens, Ansys, Altair, and VI-Grade.

The business model is non-commercial: the team generates no revenue from product sales and is funded entirely through corporate sponsorships, in-kind industrial partnerships, and institutional support. Sponsors are organized into tiers (Platinum, Main, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Minor) with Platinum partners including Lamborghini Squadra Corse, Fondazione Ducati, and HPE Group, and Gold/Silver/Bronze tiers encompassing Marposs, Aerotunnel, Wurth Elektronik, Brembo, Siemens, Ansys, and Altair. The Regione Emilia-Romagna regional government committed 400,000 EUR for the 2026-2027 biennium under Project 'RACE FOR THE FUTURE'. Customer segments are essentially the University of Bologna engineering student body and the automotive industry sponsor ecosystem anchored in Italy's Motor Valley (Emilia-Romagna).

Competition strategy targets international Formula SAE and MotoStudent events in Italy, Spain, Austria, Croatia, Germany, and the United States. The team has won three consecutive MotoStudent World Championships (2021, 2023, 2025) and Formula Student Spain in 2024, and participated in Formula SAE Michigan in 2026 - its first extra-European competition in 12 years. Distribution is non-traditional: there is no product distribution; reach is achieved through competition placement, press coverage, and an active social media presence across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Name

UniBo Motorsport

Legal name

Bologna Motorsport A.S.D.

Website

https://motorsport.unibo.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UniBo Motorsport is the official student racing team of the University of Bologna, designing and racing hybrid Formula SAE cars, fully electric Formula SAE cars, and electric MotoStudent motorcycles. Over 350 students compete internationally, funded by sponsorships from Motor Valley automotive partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student motorsport engineering and racing

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorsports Teams & Entrants (Factory & Independent) (MPAKAGAB)

Keywords

• Formula SAE racing
• MotoStudent electric motorcycle
• University racing team
• Hybrid race vehicle
• Student motorsport engineering

Headquarters

HQ city

Bologna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship and Partnership Funding: The team operates primarily through corporate sponsorships and partnerships with automotive industry companies. Partners provide financial support, equipment, and technical expertise in exchange for association with the team and access to student talent.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UniBo Motorsport is the official racing team of the University of Bologna, where over 350 students design, build, and race Formula SAE cars (hybrid and fully electric) and MotoStudent electric motorcycles to compete in international student engineering competitions. The team operates as a non-commercial amateur sports association, funded entirely through corporate sponsorships and partnerships with automotive and engineering companies. Its output is competition performance and engineering talent development rather than commercial products or services.

Product overview

UniBo Motorsport is the official racing team of the University of Bologna, operating as a student-led motorsport organization designing and developing racing prototypes for international competitions. The portfolio consists of three main vehicle categories: (1) Formula SAE Hybrid prototypes (Genesi, Integrale 636, Tenace GN, Albirea) combining internal combustion engines with hybrid systems; (2) Formula SAE Electric prototypes (Ultimae LM, Athena, Visione) featuring fully electric powertrains; and (3) MotoStudent Electric motorcycles (Vega, Nemesi, Minerva, Alpha Leonis). The team has achieved significant success, including three consecutive MotoStudent world championships (2018, 2021, 2023, 2025), Formula SAE Spain victories, and consistent top placements at European Formula Student events. Vehicles are designed, manufactured, and raced entirely by over 350 university students, with technical collaboration from industry partners including Lamborghini Squadra Corse, Fondazione Ducati, Alma Automotive, and HPE GROUP.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Genesi Formula SAE Hybrid Prototype Formula SAE hybrid racing car for the 2024/2025 season, designed and built by UniBo Motorsport students. Features carbon fiber monocoque chassis constructed in collaboration with Lamborghini Squadra Corse and is powered by a Ducati Superquadro Mono 659cc engine. Competition prototype used by the team to demonstrate hybrid powertrain engineering.
• Ultimae LM Formula SAE Electric Prototype Formula SAE electric racing car from the 2022/2024 season, featuring a one-piece carbon fiber composite monocoque, modified Suzuki GSX-R600 K6 engine (636cc), SPARK control unit developed with Alma Automotive, and a mass of 239kg. Competition prototype demonstrating fully electric powertrain engineering.
• Integrale 636 Formula SAE Hybrid Prototype Formula SAE hybrid racing car from the 2021/2022 season, featuring a one-piece carbon fiber composite monocoque, modified Suzuki GSX-R600 K6 (636cc, >80hp) engine, SPARK electronics, and a mass of 227.5kg. Competition prototype demonstrating hybrid powertrain engineering.
• Tenace GN Formula SAE Hybrid Prototype Formula SAE hybrid racing car from the 2020/2021 season, featuring a lighter hybrid monoblock tubular frame, modified Suzuki GSX-R600 K6 motor, SPARK electronics, and optimized driver visibility. Competition prototype demonstrating hybrid powertrain engineering.
• Vega MotoStudent Electric Prototype Electric MotoStudent racing motorcycle for the 2024/2025 season. Fourth prototype in MotoStudent history, winning the team's third consecutive world title with achievements including 1st overall, 1st design, 1st gymkhana, and 1st top speed at MotoStudent 2025.
• Nemesi MotoStudent Electric Prototype Electric MotoStudent racing motorcycle for the 2022/2023 season. Third prototype achieving back-to-back championship wins, winning every category including 1st overall electric, 1st MS2, 1st design, 1st industrial project, and 1st innovation.
• Minerva MotoStudent Electric Prototype Second MotoStudent electric prototype from the 2020/2021 season, marking the team's first world championship title at MotoStudent.
• Alpha Leonis MotoStudent Prototype First MotoStudent prototype from the 2017/2018 season, winner of the 2018 MotoStudent best rookie award. Later achieved 1st overall at MotoEngineering Italy 2022.
• Albirea Formula SAE Hybrid Prototype Hybrid Formula SAE racing car competing at Formula SAE Michigan 2026 with competition number 107. The vehicle completed endurance testing and achieved 18th place overall out of 140 teams, representing the team's first extra-European competition in 12 years.
• Athena Formula SAE Electric Prototype Electric Formula SAE prototype from the 2024/2025 season that won Formula Student Spain 2024. Developed with HPE Group Platinum partnership support.
• Visione Formula SAE Electric Prototype Electric Formula SAE prototype for the 2026 season, developed with support from HPE GROUP for advanced engineering simulation and virtual development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Three consecutive MotoStudent World Championships (2021, 2023, 2025)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum, main, gold, core, silver, bronze and minor.

• HPE GroupplatinumStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022HPE Group, based in Modena (Motor Valley), provides advanced engineering services, virtual simulation, and integrated technology solutions for automotive and motorsport sectors. Renewed partnership for 2026 as Platinum partner, supporting the electric vehicle project. Supported prototypes Athena (2024-2025) and Visione (2026).
• Lamborghini Squadra CorsemainStrategic or Co-development PartnerLamborghini's racing division collaborates on carbon fiber monocoque construction, providing equipment and productive spaces for the Frame and Composites department.
• Fondazione DucatiplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerDucati Foundation supports the team with engineering expertise and technical resources.
• MarpossgoldTechnology or IntegrationPrecision measurement and monitoring technology provider, supporting with industrial equipment.
• Alma AutomotivegoldTechnology or IntegrationProvides SPARK control unit development and electronics systems integration, lambda controller, and data acquisition systems.
• AerotunnelgoldTechnology or IntegrationWind tunnel testing and aerodynamics analysis services.
• Autodromo di ImolagoldOthersInternational Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit provides venue for Unveiling events and testing.
• MUNER - Motorvehicle University of Emilia-RomagnacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported the team's participation at Formula SAE Michigan 2026.
• BetagoldOthersTechnical tools and equipment provider.
• Wurth ElektronikgoldTechnology or IntegrationElectronic components and assembly solutions.
• Gruppo MorinigoldTechnology or IntegrationMotorcycle components manufacturer.
• VI-GradesilverTechnology or IntegrationProvides VI-Motorsport software for virtual Formula competitions.
• BrembobronzeTechnology or IntegrationBrake systems provider for racing applications.
• SiemensbronzeTechnology or IntegrationEngineering software and simulation tools.
• AnsysbronzeTechnology or IntegrationSimulation and analysis software provider.
• AltairbronzeTechnology or IntegrationSimulation and optimization software.
• BI-REXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetence center for digital innovation supporting the team.
• Bologna AirportminorOthersAirport facility used for racing prototype testing.
• Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDucati engineers participate in Unveiling 2026 roundtable discussions, representing Motor Valley excellence.
• Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLamborghini participates in Unveiling 2026 events, representing Motor Valley ecosystem collaboration.
• Gruppo MarpossgoldStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresident Francesco Possati participated in Unveiling 2026 roundtable, representing precision measurement company.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bath Racing (University of Bath): Formula Student team at University of Bath - one of the leading UK university racing teams. Competitor in Formula SAE events with comparable student-led structure and a similar tier-1 engineering sponsor base.
• Delft University of Technology DUT Racing: Student racing team at TU Delft - competes in Formula SAE with both combustion and electric vehicles. Comparable European university racing team structure with industrial sponsor support and Formula SAE competition footprint.
• University of Michigan Formula SAE: Formula SAE team at University of Michigan - host of Formula SAE Michigan where UniBo Motorsport competed in 2026. Comparable scale automotive engineering student organization with strong industry sponsor relationships.
• GreenTeam Stuttgart: Electric Formula Student team at University of Stuttgart - specializes in electric powertrains, directly comparable to UniBo's Electric Formula SAE pillar. Competes in the same Formula Student Electric event series with similar automotive partner ecosystem.
• KA-RaceIng (KIT): Racing team at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology - one of the strongest German Formula SAE teams. Direct competitor in Formula Student events with a similar engineering talent pipeline and industrial sponsor base.
• TU Graz Racing Team: Formula Student team at Graz University of Technology - Austrian university racing team competing in Formula SAE and MotoStudent. Direct regional peer in the Alpine/DACH university racing ecosystem and the top MotoStudent competitor outside Italy.
• ETH Zurich AMZ: Academic Motor Sport Club Zurich at ETH Zurich - one of the most successful Formula SAE teams globally, winning multiple championships. Direct competitor in Formula SAE events with a comparable student-led structure and platinum-tier automotive sponsor portfolio.
• Politecnico di Milano (Polimove): Formula SAE team at Politecnico di Milano - another Italian university racing team competing in the same Formula SAE and MotoStudent championships. Closest Italian competitor and direct peer with similar size, automotive sponsor network, and competition schedule.
• University of Wisconsin Racing: Formula SAE team at University of Wisconsin-Madison - one of the strongest U.S. Formula SAE teams that competed at Formula SAE Michigan 2026 directly against UniBo Motorsport. Same competition series and comparable student engineering team structure.
• TUfast (TU Munich): TUM Motorsport team at Technical University of Munich - top German Formula SAE and Formula Student Electric competitor. Comparable scale, similar Bavarian/Motor Valley-aligned automotive sponsor ecosystem, and direct competitor in European Formula Student events.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@UniBoMotorsport
• Facebookfacebook.com/UniBoMotorsport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unibo-motorsport
• Instagraminstagram.com/ubmformulasae
• Xx.com/unibomotorsport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UniBo Motorsport