Top 10 Government Grants for Startups in Italy in 2025
Italy is a hotspot for innovation, offering a variety of government grants to support startups in 2025.
These grants are designed to foster growth, sustainability, and technological advancement.
Below is a comprehensive guide to the top 10 government grants available, including eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application deadlines.
These grants are designed to foster growth, sustainability, and technological advancement.
Below is a comprehensive guide to the top 10 government grants available, including eligibility criteria, funding amounts, and application deadlines.
Try our AI Grant Finder and Application Writer to quickly find an EU grant that is right for your startup, and have it write a draft of your application.
1. Smart&Start Italia
- Funding Amount: Up to €1.5 million.
- Eligibility: Innovative startups with high-tech projects costing between €100,000 and €1.5 million.
- Benefits: Interest-free loans covering 80% of the investment, with 30% converted into a non-repayable grant for startups in Southern Italy.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: Smart&Start Italia
2. EIC Accelerator
- Funding Amount: Grants up to €2.5 million and equity investments up to €10 million.
- Eligibility: Startups and SMEs from EU Member States or associated countries with innovative products or services.
- Benefits: Supports high-risk innovations with potential for market disruption.
- Application Deadline: Full application deadlines on 12 March 2025 and 1 October 2025.
- Official Website: EIC Accelerator
3. EIC STEP Scale-Up
- Funding Amount: €10 to €30 million per company.
- Eligibility: SMEs and small mid-caps (up to 499 employees) in strategic technology sectors.
- Benefits: Equity investments to scale up innovations in digital, clean, and biotechnologies.
- Application Deadline: Applications accepted anytime via the Funding & Tenders Portal.
- Official Website: EIC STEP Scale-Up
4. Development Contract
- Funding Amount: Up to 75% of eligible costs for large projects (minimum €20 million).
- Eligibility: Companies investing in industrial manufacturing, environmental protection, or food processing.
- Benefits: Grants and subsidized loans for large-scale industrial projects.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: Development Contract
5. Innovation Agreement
- Funding Amount: Up to 50% for industrial research and 25% for experimental development.
- Eligibility: Companies with R&D projects costing at least €5 million.
- Benefits: Supports the development of new products, processes, or improvements.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: Innovation Agreement
Dreaming of startup success but too scared to get started?
Join the Fe/male Switch women-first startup game and turn that dream into your reality. With tailored guidance, support networks, and a plethora of resources, we'll nurture your ascent to the startup stratosphere! Don't just stand out—soar high! And we have PlayPals!
Join now.
6. Italian Green New Deal
- Funding Amount: Soft loans covering 60% of costs and grants up to 15%.
- Eligibility: SMEs and startups working on green technologies and sustainable solutions.
- Benefits: Supports industrial research, experimental development, and industrialization.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: Italian Green New Deal
7. Patent Box
- Funding Amount: 110% tax deduction on qualifying R&D expenses.
- Eligibility: Companies developing patented technologies or software.
- Benefits: Reduces taxable income for innovative companies.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: Patent Box
8. EIC Pathfinder
- Funding Amount: Grants up to €4 million.
- Eligibility: Research teams working on visionary, multi-disciplinary projects.
- Benefits: Funds breakthrough research with high potential for innovation.
- Application Deadline: Check the EIC Pathfinder page for specific deadlines.
- Official Website: EIC Pathfinder
9. EIC Transition
- Funding Amount: Grants up to €2.5 million.
- Eligibility: Projects transitioning research results into market-ready innovations.
- Benefits: Bridges the gap between research and commercialization.
- Application Deadline: Check the EIC Transition page for specific deadlines.
- Official Website: EIC Transition
10. Tax Incentives for Innovative Startups
- Funding Amount: 65% tax deduction for investments in innovative startups.
- Eligibility: Investors in startups registered in the special section of the Italian Business Register.
- Benefits: Encourages private investment in high-tech startups.
- Application Deadline: Rolling basis.
- Official Website: Tax Incentives for Startups
Do You Want to Be on This Top List? 🔝
That's possible! Pay a small fee and let us elevate your product or service.
Don't miss out—limited spots available!
Get Started →
Conclusion
Italy’s government grants for startups in 2025 provide a robust framework for innovation and growth.
From equity-free funding to tax incentives, these programs cater to a wide range of industries and project sizes.
Startups are encouraged to explore these opportunities to accelerate their growth and contribute to Italy’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
From equity-free funding to tax incentives, these programs cater to a wide range of industries and project sizes.
Startups are encouraged to explore these opportunities to accelerate their growth and contribute to Italy’s thriving innovation ecosystem.
