About us
Our Story
How JEME was born
“In 1988, eight Bocconi students, returning from a trip to France, decided to found the first Junior Enterprise in Italy, a student association that operates as a consulting company providing professional services to businesses”
The Beginnings
On November 17th, 1988, eight students from Bocconi University founded JEME Bocconi, an acronym for Junior Enterprise Milano Economia, with the ambition of bringing a student-led consulting model to Italy. Inspired by international experiences, the founders challenged themselves to create an organisation capable of bridging the prestige and academic rigour of Bocconi to deliver quality consulting services in the business world
Since 1988, JEME has met this challenge and continues to do so with a legacy of excellence passed down through generations of students
Growth Period
During the 1990s, JEME entered a phase of rapid growth, expanding both its membership and operational capacity. In 1996, JEME hosted the first JADE Congress in Italy, a major milestone that strengthened its position internationally. Then, in 1997, the “Zamagni” law enabled JEME to re-enter the NGO category by adapting its statute. Post its 10-year anniversary in 1998, JEME recorded a turnover of 250 million lire, validating JEME’s commercial identity for strategic consulting
New Challenges
The new millennium saw continued growth in interest in the association through an increased number of members and a recorded turnover of 400 million lire. JEME adopted a new philosophy, “training as remuneration,” and a new headquarters at Via San Francesco d’Assisi 3, within the Bocconi metropolitan campus to accompany it.
These efforts culminated in significant recognition across Europe: in 2004, JEME received the European Excellence Award as “Most Entrepreneurial Junior Enterprise,” followed by the award for “Most Engaged Junior Entrepreneur” in 2007, presented to Azzurra Giorgio for her work within JEME and JADE Italia. In 2005, JEME representatives were jointly elected to the presidency of both JADE Italia and JADE (2005)
Reinvention
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, JEME hosted an evening at Palazzo Bocconi commemorating its alumni and the institutional community. It featured key academic figures, including Professors Pavesi and Agliati, and marked the publication of the first JEME Book, celebrating JEME’s achievements and milestones as a pioneer Bocconi Junior Enterprise
In July 2010, the association organised a non-commercial conference: The Junior Enterprise World Conference (JEWC). The conference reinforced JEME’s reputation in the international network and its internal solidity. Following JEWC, JEME reinvented itself by increasing active sales with over 15 projects per year, servicing diverse channels and clients. Furthermore, JEME enhanced its focus on building its human capital, recognising it as its true wealth
Recent Changes
Between 2015 and 2017, JEME implemented a long-term strategy focused on service development, leadership within the Junior Enterprise network, and greater organisational institutionalisation
This strategy is motivated JEME to sponsor the first Australian Junior Enterprise and partner with the first Junior Enterprise in North America. In 2015, JEME was named “Most Entrepreneurial Junior Enterprise in Europe,” followed by “Best Junior Enterprise in Italy” and second in “Junior Enterprise of the Year in Europe.” In 2017, after winning “Best Junior Enterprise in Italy” for the second consecutive year, JEME organised the summer JADE conference in Milan, hosting over 300 Junior Entrepreneurs for four days of exchange and collaboration
Until Today...
In 2018, JEME marked its 30th anniversary with an event at the Aula Magna Gobbi in Bocconi University, gathering approximately 400 people, including alumni, professors, partners, and representatives of nine Junior Enterprises. The occasion also marked the renewal of JEME’s corporate identity, aligned with its founding values. The same year, JEME continued to support the creation of JEF (University of Naples Federico II) and JEVE (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice). Moreover, the organisation also placed second in the “JADE Enterprise of the Year” award for the third consecutive year (2017-2019)
In 2019, JEME continued contributing to network expansion by sponsoring JETOR (University of Rome Tor Vergata) and supporting the launch of JECO at The Copenhagen Business School
In 2023, JEME celebrated its 35th anniversary with a landmark event at Palazzo Mezzanotte, headquarters of Borsa Italiana, partnering with prominent business leaders in consulting services, further strengthening its presence within the professional ecosystem.
The organisation also launched the new JEME international area to welcome international students to its mission. Today, JEME continues to grow, boasting an ever- increasing international community with over 650 Alumni and 45 members trained to deliver professional business analysis. JEME acts as an important platform, allowing its members to realise their ambitious goals and take on broad challenges
