About
Invitalia is the National Agency for Inward Investment and Economic Development, owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy. It focuses on boosting Italy's economic growth by supporting strategic sectors and managing all national incentives, including those for startups and innovative projects. It includes programmes such as Smart & Start Italia, which funds the creation and growth of innovative startups that:
- have a strong technological dimension;
- operate in the digital economy;
- enhance search results (spin-offs from research); and
- are fundable projects costing between €100 000 and €1.5 million.
Smart&Start Italy offers:
- Interest-free loan up to 80% of the total investment. The percentage of funding may increase to 90% if the startup is composed exclusively of women or young people under the age of 35, or if it includes at least one Italian PhD who is working abroad and intends to return to Italy.
- A non-repayable grant amounting to 30% of the loan, only for startups based in Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, and in the “Seismic Crater” area of Aquila.
- Startups that have been established for less than one year can use technical and management support services in the startup phase.