There are coming a series of measures activated by the Piedmont Region, approved at the end of December 2023 as part of the 2021-2027 ERDF PR, which provide support to SMEs, innovative start-ups and research spin-offs
The first call, entitled "Support for the first growth of innovative startups" aims to support innovative startups located in Piedmont, classified as micro or small enterprises, with funding of EUR 10 million, spread over the two years 2024 and 2025. The aim is to promote the competitive and market positioning of entrepreneurial projects in their early stages, based on innovative products, services or business models, consistent with the Regional Strategy of Intelligent Specialisation S3.
The second call, also for EUR 10 million, is entitled "Capital Consolidation and Growth of Innovative Startups". This aims to co-finance the growth and capital consolidation of innovative start-ups, helping to strengthen and complement development projects financed by external investors. Small companies, including industrial spin-offs, that qualify as start-ups are the recipients of this measure.
At the same time, the Regional Council approved a resolution to support a fund of an additional EUR 20 million for the valorisation of the results of research, development and innovation (RDI) activities entitled "From research to market: support for projects aimed at valorising the results of RDI activities". This measure aims to bring to market the results of R&D&I activities that are characterised by significant innovative relevance for the proposing companies or for the target market. Beneficiaries of this fund are micro-enterprises and SMEs, including innovative start-ups and industrial spin-offs.
Matteo Marnati, Regional Councillor for Innovation and Research, emphasised the importance of these initiatives to stimulate research, quality and innovation, stating that innovation improves productivity growth while Andrea Tronzano, Regional Councillor for Productive Activities, highlighted how innovation and entrepreneurial skills are in the DNA of those who do business in Piedmont, and underlined the importance of supporting startups as the key to promoting an innovative and competitive economic system in the region.
