Smart&Start Italia

The grant aims to support innovative startups and SMEs in Italy by fostering their growth and development. This initiative focuses on enhancing technological advancements, job creation, and economic development across specific sectors.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants:

  • Micro and small-sized innovative startups (up to 60 months old).
  • Individuals planning to start an innovative startup.
  • Foreign enterprises with a commitment to set up in Italy or foreign nationals with a startup visa.

• Startup Requirements:

  • Must be a limited company, up to 60 months old, headquartered in Italy.
  • Not derived from mergers, demergers, or acquisitions.
  • Production value should not exceed €5 million by the second year.
  • No profit distribution allowed.
  • Must focus on developing, producing, or distributing high-tech, innovative products or services.

• Additional Criteria (at least one):

  • 15% of costs or production value dedicated to R&D.
  • At least 1/3 of the staff has research experience or PhD, or 2/3 with a Master’s degree.
  • Possession of industrial property (patents, licenses, etc.).

Funding Scope

• Fundable Projects:

  • Business plans from €100,000 to €1.5 million.
  • Can cover fixed assets, services, labor, and operational costs.
  • Business project should:
    • Have strong technological and innovative content.
    • Target the digital economy, AI, blockchain, IoT.
    • Aim to commercialize research results.

• Project Timeline:

  • Projects must start after the application submission.
  • Must complete within 24 months of signing the funding contract.

Incentives

• Loan Structure:

  • Interest-free loan for up to 10 years, covering up to 80% of eligible expenses.
  • May cover 90% if partners include women, youth under 36, or a PhD-holding expert returning to Italy.

• Additional Support:

  • Startups under a year old may receive technical-managerial guidance (financial planning, marketing, etc.).
  • Startups in specific southern Italian regions (RIC NP 21-27) may have 30% of the loan converted to a grant, repaying only 70%.
  • Startups with risk capital investments post-funding can convert up to 50% of these investments into a grant, with a cap of half the loan's value.

Restrictions on Fund Usage

• Funds must be used exclusively for eligible expenses, such as costs directly tied to the approved project.
• Personal or unrelated business expenses are not permitted.