Access to information

The government portal “Incentivi” offers a comprehensive overview of the main public funding instruments, with sections dedicated to young entrepreneurs that summarize active calls for proposals and grants across the national territory.

The Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) supports a series of initiatives aimed at encouraging investments, with particular focus on innovation, competitiveness and entrepreneurial development.

Invitalia, the National Development Agency, promotes initiatives across the country aimed at informing young people about opportunities for training, guidance, and business creation, including through the establishment of physical contact points and the organization of direct engagement events, in collaboration with local authorities, universities and third sector organisations.

Many Regions have specific projects and initiatives to support entrepreneurship, accessible through local employment services and regional portals. Cities such as Milan, Rome, Turin, and Bologna host important startup hubs, incubators and accelerators that provide support and resources for entrepreneurs.

Access to capital

Young entrepreneurs who intend to start new businesses can access various public incentives, which can be found on the “Incentivi” portal, gathering the benefits available at the national level. Detailed information, together with application procedures and submission guidelines, are also available on the official website of Invitalia, the National Development Agency, which manages many of these measures. Among the main initiatives are:

• Oltre Nuove Imprese a Tasso Zero, an initiative aimed at promoting the creation and development of micro and small enterprises with predominantly or entirely youth or female participation throughout the national territory.

• The “Beni strumentali” measure (Nuova Sabatini), managed by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, supports investments for the purchase or leasing of machinery, plants, equipment, productive-use capital goods, hardware, software and digital technologies. The incentive provides financing granted by partner banks/intermediaries, supported by ministerial contributions.

• “Resto al Sud”, an incentive managed by Invitalia, aimed at supporting the creation and development of new entrepreneurial and freelance activities by individuals aged 18 to 55. It targets residents in Southern Italy regions, as well as in the seismic crater area of Central Italy, covering parts of Lazio, Marche, and Umbria. The financial support consists of a non-repayable grant and a subsidized loan.

• Smart&Start Italia, an incentive managed by Invitalia and promoted by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, which supports the establishment and growth of innovative startups with high technological content across all Italian regions. The incentives consist of a zero-interest loan covering 80% of eligible expenses, which can be increased to 90% if the startup is entirely composed of women and/or young people under 36 years old or if it includes a PhD researcher working abroad.

Although not exclusively aimed at young entrepreneurs, the 394/81 Fund, refinanced through the NRRP, represents a concrete opportunity for startups and SMEs led by young people. The fund, managed by SIMEST, provides both subsidized loans (€800 million) and non-repayable grants (€400 million), with higher percentages for companies based in Southern regions.

Among the instruments available at the European level, young entrepreneurs can access measures promoted by the EU, such as the Progress Microfinance Facility, now integrated into the InvestEU program. These tools allow obtaining subsidized microloans without real guarantees, through intermediaries accredited at the national level.