Smart Money is an incentive that helps young innovative start-ups develop new business ideas by accelerating their ability to enter markets through meetings with incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, research bodies and other innovative players.

The innovative start-ups incorporated from at least 24 months and registered in the special section of the business registration office, can request said contribution to purchase services from eligible entities, such as incubators, accelerators, research bodies and innovation hubs.

The facilitation granted consists of a subsidy up to Euro 10,000 or 80% of the eligible expenses.

After completing the activity plan eligible for facilitation, the start-ups can request another subsidy, recognised pursuant to the “de minimis” scheme if development plans are submitted where they require financing in equity on the part of eligible entities, business angles and qualified investors.

For this line of intervention there is a subsidy equals to 100% of the investment in the risk capital, within the overall limit of Euro 30,000.

Smart&Start Italia is an incentive that supports the creation and growth of innovative high tech start-ups in all the Italian regions.

Finance corporate plans with expenses ranging between Euro 100,000 and Euro 1.5 million to acquire capital assets, services, expenses of personnel and company operating costs.

The business project must have at least one of the following characteristics:

• have a major high tech and innovative content;
• be directed to the development of products, services or solutions in the digital economy field, artificial intelligence, blockchain and internet of things;
• must be aimed at economic enhancement of results in public and private research.

The facilitation granted is a zero interest loan without any guarantee that covers 80% of eligible expenses.

This percentage can increase to 90% if the start-up is made up entirely of women and young people below the age of 36 years or if among partners there is an expert with a title of Italian Phd (or equivalent) who works abroad and wishes to return to Italy.