SM

The Sky's The Limit

Simone Massaro

I’m Dr. Simone Massaro, a seasoned technology leader and visionary dedicated to advancing renewable energy and digital transformation. With over 20 years of global experience, I specialize in bridging the gap between emerging technologies and sustainable impact.

My work spans 25+ countries and is driven by the belief that technology can build a greener, more inclusive future.

My

I see myself as a modern-day Odysseus. I have sailed through continents, industries, and the frontiers of technology, only to return to my homeland with one mission: proving that world-class innovation can be built in Italy, and flourish from Sicily to the world.

Journey

Early life & education close to the Italian Air Force.

Self-taught coder (first games at 12. Wins in programming competitions at 14).

1980
1990

University of Catania;

Wins an ISO competition in Texas and is selected for a U.S. internship.

1995
1998

United States: Designs large-scale, safety-critical systems such as the DoD/NASA Shuttle launch-platform controls, Heathrow Airport infrastructure, Rome Metro, airport jet-bridge control, naval and oil & gas projects; joins the Microsoft IT Council.

2000
2008

Purpose shift toward technologies with positive social and environmental impact; first attempt to return to Italy.

2009

Founds BaxEnergy in Hannover to optimize wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal plants; early wins with utilities (e.g., projects in Portugal), then Italy and Turkey.

2010

Permanent return to Italy;

Starts building a high-skill team in Sicily;

Opens BaxEnergy in Catania and seeds the Free Mind Foundry campus concept.

2011
2012

International expansion and new offices: Siracusa (IT), Esposende (PT), Johannesburg (ZA), Berlin (DE), Pune (IN).

2013
2016

Foundation of Free Mind Foundry.

Launches IntelliSync (AI, web, cybersecurity) and WiSNAMsnam (industrial hardware & data).

2017

FMF turnes into an Iinternational Cooperation Hub in Sicily.

2018
2020

BaxEnergy becomes the third most important provider for REMS solutions in Europe.

2021
2023

BaxEnergy becomes part of Yokogawa Electric Corporation; Simone continues as Chairman & Managing Director, driving vision, integration, and business strategy.

2024
Present

Responsibility

Technology only makes sense when it serves people and their well-being. It is our responsibility to steer it towards a better tomorrow.

Simone Massaro

Heritage & Vision

Creating jobs &
innovation in Italy

I turn ideas into industries, retain and bring back talent to their motherland, and grow a digital economy rooted in Italy with global reach.

I design solutions that help to decarbonize fossil fuel-dependent sectors, implement innovative de-risking technologies for investors in renewables and foster radical collaboration across industries and governments.
I connect Italian universities, research centers, and enterprises to channel expertise, capital, and opportunity back into local ecosystems.

Heritage & Vision

Creating jobs &
innovation in Italy

I turn ideas into industries, retain and bring back talent to their motherland, and grow a digital economy rooted in Italy with global reach.

I design solutions that help to decarbonize fossil fuel-dependent sectors, implement innovative de-risking technologies for investors in renewables and foster radical collaboration across industries and governments.
I connect Italian universities, research centers, and enterprises to channel expertise, capital, and opportunity back into local ecosystems.

Creating jobs &
innovation in Italy

I turn ideas into industries, retain and bring back talent to their motherland, and grow a digital economy rooted in Italy with global reach.

Accelerating
energy transition

I design solutions that help to decarbonize fossil fuel-dependent sectors, implement innovative de-risking technologies for investors in renewables and foster collaboration across industries and governments.

Fostering cooperation
& brain‑gain

I connect Italian universities, research centers, and enterprises to channel expertise, capital, and opportunity back into local ecosystems.

Italian Air Force

I learned early that courage and precision are not just values in flight – they are values in life.

Family roots
in aviation

I was born with aviation in my blood. My father served as a pilot in the Italian Air Force, and his example has profoundly shaped who I am. From him I inherited a devotion to precision, discipline, courage, and the idea that serving others – whether through engineering, leadership, or creativity – is not just virtue, but vocation.

Heritage & Community

In Free Mind Foundry, I maintain more than just a workspace – I’ve created an aeronautical room filled with artifacts, photographs, models of aircraft, and documents related to flight history. It’s a space where local enthusiasts, students, and families can come, be inspired, ask questions, and feel connected to the legacy of aviation. It’s where art, mechanics, storytelling, and dreams converge.

Institutional Collaborations

I collaborate closely with the Italian Air Force and other aeronautical institutions to promote STEM education, community engagement, and national pride. One of the most meaningful examples: in Catania, I organized the Catania Air Show 2025, where the Frecce Tricolori flew above the city – this event was made possible as an exclusive sponsor through Free Mind Foundry.

Art & Culture

Between myth and modernity, between art and code, I believe culture is the true engine of progress.

The Odyssey
as inspiration

At Free Mind Foundry, I envisioned the campus as a living metaphor of Odysseus’ journey. Just as the Odyssey speaks of challenges, discoveries, and the return to one’s roots, FMF embodies exploration in technology, knowledge, and human connection. It is a place where every step forward is part of a greater voyage.

Contemporary collections
& installations

Art has always been part of my life and my work. At Free Mind Foundry, visitors encounter curated installations and contemporary artworks that spark dialogue between technology and culture. In my personal residence, I continue this path by collecting pieces that reflect not only aesthetic beauty but also the restless spirit of inquiry and imagination. For me, art is not decoration – it is a compass for innovation.