Liguria: New €300,000 Grant to Support the Growth of Innovative Start-ups

The Liguria Region is strengthening its commitment to the innovation ecosystem with a new €300,000 call for proposals designed to support the development and consolidation of innovative start-ups. The initiative, funded under Action 1.4.1 of the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Regional Programme 2021-2027, will be managed by FI.L.S.E. through the "Bandi On Line" platform. Interested companies can start preparing their documentation as of July 6, 2026, while application submissions will be open from July 20 to July 31, 2026.

The call provides non-repayable grants to finance strategic business growth activities. This public backing can cover up to 80% of eligible expenses, with a maximum grant of €30,000 per project. Eligible interventions include specialized training on key topics for start-up development, such as leadership during expansion phases, deep tech and dual-use technologies, growth and internationalization strategies, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the funding covers advanced, highly innovative services, including mentorship and coaching programs, technology validation activities, digital audits, and legal consulting tailored for scale-up phases.

The measure also supports the temporary recruitment of highly qualified professionals, such as experienced managers and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), to guide start-ups through their growth paths for a minimum period of six months. To access the benefits, companies must be regularly registered and active in the Special Section for Innovative Start-ups of the Business Register, provided that their projects align with the areas defined by Liguria's Smart Specialisation Strategy for the 2021-2027 cycle.

Building and strengthening skills is now a cornerstone for business competitiveness, particularly for start-ups that need to attract investment and consolidate their market presence during their initial years of operation. In recent years, Liguria has promoted several initiatives to support new businesses, including the We Startup Fund, which made additional resources available to strengthen the capital structure of emerging enterprises under the management of Liguriacapital. With this new call, the Region confirms its commitment to fostering the growth of innovative start-ups and consolidating Genoa’s role as a benchmark hub for innovation and regional technological development.