Public Funding: July 2024 opportunities for Startups!

We continue with the third appointment of this monthly column, in which the Public Funding Department of Aiternalex intends to provide a series of subsidised and non-repayable finance instruments reserved for start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs. 

In particular, we will firstly highlight measures that are close to expiry and for which it is still possible to apply at least one month from now.

Secondly, we will find measures without a deadline, but with a deadline when funds run out.

  • Non-repayable financing to support the development of innovative start-ups – Emilia-Romagna Region

Expiring on 11 September, the grant provides for a non-repayable contribution of a maximum amount of EUR 150,000, equal to 40% of eligible expenditure.

Eligible companies are micro and small enterprises registered in the special section of the Company Register dedicated to innovative start-ups at the competent Chambers of Commerce in the Emilia-Romagna Region.

  • Call for proposals Smart&Start VDA: non-repayable financing for the growth of new innovative start-ups that make productive use of research results – Valle d’Aosta Region

Expiring on 30 September, the grant provides for a non-repayable contribution of up to EUR 150,000, equal to 60% of the expenses for implementing the development plan.

Innovative start-ups and freelancers can benefit from it ‘as they are equated to SMEs as economic activity, and expressly identified as recipients of European funds’.

  • Non-repayable financing for the support and growth of innovative startups – Piedmont Region.

Activated on July 15, and expiring on Dec. 17, the facility provides a non-repayable grant of between €150,000 and €500,000, depending on the capital strengthening operation deemed eligible.

Micro and small enterprises that qualify as innovative startups are eligible.

Calls for proposals expiring when funds are exhausted

  • Bando Nuova Impresa 2024: Non-repayable financing for the start-up of new enterprises – Lombardy Region

Expiring while funds last, the grant provides for a maximum non-repayable contribution of EUR 10,000, with a minimum investment of EUR 3,000, and a maximum coverage of 50% of the project. 

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises set up in Lombardy after 1 June 2023 and self-employed persons with individual VAT numbers are eligible.

  • Bando Pre-Seed Plus: Non-repayable financing for the creation of innovative start-ups – Regione Lazio

Expiring when funds are exhausted, the grant provides for a minimum non-repayable contribution of EUR 10,000 and a maximum of EUR 30,000, increasable to EUR 60,000/100,000 if respectively more capital is contributed by third-party investors and research spin-offs.

Innovative start-ups set up no more than 24 months ago and with operational headquarters in Lazio, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs, are eligible.

  • Women’s Enterprise Fund (FIF) – Low-interest financing and grant for women’s business start-ups – Region of Calabria

Activated on July 8, and expiring when funds are exhausted, the facility provides for a maximum total financing of 62,500 euros, divided into zero-interest financing in the maximum amount of 32,500 euros, and a non-repayable grant in the maximum amount of 30,000 euros.

Eligible beneficiaries are Women’s Enterprises established for less than 12 months, or yet to be established, which have in their corporate structure at least one person with the status of unemployed, unemployable, disabled or at risk of discrimination.

For information on all types of eligible interventions of the above-mentioned measures, and for assistance in compiling and submitting applications, please contact us!

Public Funding: June 2024 opportunities for Startups!

We continue with the second appointment of this new monthly column, in which the Public Funding Department of Aiternalex intends to provide a series of subsidised and non-repayable finance instruments reserved for start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs. 

In particular, we will firstly highlight measures that are close to expiry and for which it is still possible to apply at least one month from now.

Secondly, we will find measures without a deadline, but with a deadline when funds run out.

  • Non-repayable financing to support the development of innovative start-ups – Emilia-Romagna Region

Activated on 25 June, and expiring on 11 September, the grant provides for a non-repayable contribution of a maximum amount of EUR 150,000, equal to 40% of eligible expenditure.

Eligible companies are micro and small enterprises registered in the special section of the Company Register dedicated to innovative start-ups at the competent Chambers of Commerce in the Emilia-Romagna Region.

  • Call for proposals Smart&Start VDA: non-repayable financing for the growth of new innovative start-ups that make productive use of research results – Valle d’Aosta Region

Expiring on 30 September, the grant provides for a non-repayable contribution of up to EUR 150,000, equal to 60% of the expenses for implementing the development plan.

Innovative start-ups and freelancers can benefit from it ‘as they are equated to SMEs as economic activity, and expressly identified as recipients of European funds’.

  • Call for proposals ‘Creation of new enterprises’: non-repayable financing for the development of self-entrepreneurship – Province of Cosenza

Expiring on 31 October, the facility provides for a non-repayable contribution of up to Euro 10,000, equal to 50% of the amount of the cost estimates, increased to 60% in the case of differently-abled members or in the case of women’s businesses.

All aspiring entrepreneurs may benefit.

Calls for proposals expiring when funds are exhausted

  • Bando Nuova Impresa 2024: Non-repayable financing for the start-up of new enterprises – Lombardy Region

Expiring while funds last, the grant provides for a maximum non-repayable contribution of EUR 10,000, with a minimum investment of EUR 3,000, and a maximum coverage of 50% of the project. 

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises set up in Lombardy after 1 June 2023 and self-employed persons with individual VAT numbers are eligible.

  • Bando Pre-Seed Plus: Non-repayable financing for the creation of innovative start-ups – Regione Lazio

Expiring when funds are exhausted, the grant provides for a minimum non-repayable contribution of EUR 10,000 and a maximum of EUR 30,000, increasable to EUR 60,000/100,000 if respectively more capital is contributed by third-party investors and research spin-offs.

Innovative start-ups set up no more than 24 months ago and with operational headquarters in Lazio, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs, are eligible.

For information on all types of eligible interventions of the above-mentioned measures, and for assistance in compiling and submitting applications, please contact us!

Public Funding: May 2024 opportunities for Startups!

In this new monthly column, the Public Funding Department of Aiternalex intends to provide a series of subsidised and non-repayable finance instruments reserved for start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs. 

In particular, we will firstly highlight measures that are close to expiry and for which it is still possible to apply at least one month from now.

Secondly, we will find measures without a deadline, but with a deadline when funds run out.

  • Non-repayable financing for measures to support entrepreneurship – Friuli Venezia Giulia Region

Expiring on 28 June 2024, the measure provides for a non-repayable grant in the maximum amount of Euro 70,000 for projects implemented in 4 months, and Euro 60,000 for projects implemented in 12 months. In the first case, coverage is 70% of the project, in the second 60%.

New small and medium-sized enterprises established no more than 36 months ago and all aspiring entrepreneurs are eligible.

  • Bando Donne Innovazione e Impresa: Non-repayable financing in support of innovation in female entrepreneurship – Lazio Region

Expiring on 12 June 2024, the grant provides for a non-repayable contribution of a maximum amount of EUR 145,000, with coverage ranging from 40 to 60% of the project.

Eligible beneficiaries are small and medium-sized enterprises run by women, i.e. corporations whose shares are owned by at least two-thirds by women.

  • Bando Nuova Impresa: Non-repayable financing to support new entrepreneurship – Autonomous Province of Trento

Expiring on 5 June 2024, the grant provides for a minimum non-repayable contribution of Euro 10,000 and a maximum of Euro 100,000.

Eligible beneficiaries are newly established micro and small enterprises with an operating unit in Trento, newly established female entrepreneurs, young people under 35 or those who have been unemployed for at least 6 months. 

Calls with deadline until funds are depleted

  • Bando Nuova Impresa 2024: Non-repayable financing for business start-ups – Lombardy Region

Expiring when funds run out, the grant provides for a maximum non-repayable contribution of Euro 10,000, with a minimum investment of Euro 3,000, and a maximum coverage of 50% of the project. 

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises set up in Lombardy after 1 June 2023 and self-employed persons with individual VAT numbers are eligible.

  • Bando Pre-Seed Plus: Non-repayable financing for the creation of innovative start-ups – Regione Lazio

Expiring when funds are exhausted, the grant provides for a minimum non-repayable contribution of EUR 10,000 and a maximum of EUR 30,000, increasable to EUR 60,000/100,000 if respectively more capital is contributed by third-party investors and research spin-offs.

Innovative start-ups established no more than 24 months ago and with operational headquarters in Lazio, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs, are eligible.

For information on all types of eligible interventions of the above-mentioned measures, and for assistance in compiling and submitting applications, please contact us!

Incentives for startups in southern Italy

In the last article, we talked about subsidised finance opportunities for innovative start-ups, opening a focus on Invitalia’s Smart&Start – link 

In the same article, we provided a definition of subsidised finance, which we invite you to read for the continuation of today’s article.

Resto al Sud

The biggest incentive for supporting the start-up and growth of new businesses in the Mezzogiorno is Resto al Sud, a one-stop instrument managed by Invitalia.

The facilities are aimed at all under 56s resident in southern Italy, in the municipalities of the earthquake crater area in central Italy and in the minor, lagoon and lake islands in central and northern Italy. Those who transfer their residence within 60 days of the positive outcome of the preliminary investigation are also eligible for the benefits.

Moreover, to be eligible, one must not be the owner of other business activities, must not have benefited from other facilities for self-entrepreneurship in the last three years, must not have a permanent job, and must undertake not to have one for the entire duration of the financing.

What can be financed? And what are the facilities?

Eligible for financing are industrial production activities, handicrafts, processing of agricultural products, fishing and aquaculture, provision of services to businesses and individuals, tourism, commerce, and freelance activities. Agricultural activities are excluded.

Coverage is up to 100 per cent of expenses, with a maximum financing of EUR 50,000 per applicant, and a maximum of EUR 200,000 for companies with at least four partners. 

For sole proprietorships, the maximum financing is EUR 60,000.

Companies with partners who do not meet the residency requirement may also qualify for the financing, provided that more than half of the company structure meets it.

Importantly, it is not required that the registered office of the company be in the Mezzogiorno or in one of the above-mentioned areas.

The subsidies are composed of 50% soft loan and 50% non-repayable fund.

What are the eligible expenses?

Eligible expenses are those for the renovation or maintenance of real estate up to a maximum of 30% of total expenditure, the purchase of machinery, plant and new equipment, computer programmes and services for technology, information and telecommunications, and management expenses up to a maximum of 20% of total expenditure.

I want to apply, how do I proceed?

The application is one of the most complex, and it is strongly recommended that it be handled with the support of a consultant.

On the other hand, as it is a one-stop procedure, there are no set deadlines to meet, and a possible rejection of the application does not exclude the possibility of resubmitting it after a project review.