Trentino confirms itself as a land of innovation. The Autonomous Province of Trento has allocated €3 million to support the development of innovative startups in its territory. Through the ERDF Notice 1/2023, new business ideas in line with Trentino's areas of intelligent specialisation (S3) are given the opportunity to benefit from a non-repayable contribution of 70% on expenses from 50 thousand to 500 thousand euro.
The initiative is part of the European Regional Development Fund and is aimed at strengthening the positioning of Trentino companies in both the domestic and international markets, with particular attention not only to the S3 strategy, but also to the macro-regional strategy for the Alpine region (EUSALP).
Applications by 27 November.
The European Regional Development Fund aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. In 2021-2027 it will enable investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens.
In 2021-2027, the fund will enable investments to make Europe and its regions:
- More competitive and smarter, through innovation and support to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as digitisation and digital connectivity
- Greener, low-carbon and resilient
- More connected by enhancing mobility
- More social, supporting effective and inclusive employment, education, skills, social inclusion and equal access to healthcare, as well as enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism
- Closer to citizens, supporting locally-led development and sustainable urban development across the EU
ERDF Notice 1/2023: who it is aimed at
ERDF Notice 1/2023 "Support for the development of startups in Trentino's areas of intelligent specialisation" is aimed at small and micro enterprises in Trentino, but not only. Companies and individuals from outside the province may also apply, on condition that they open at least one operational office in Trentino within 60 days of notification of the grant. In both cases, startups, if already established, must be registered in the special section of the Business Register as of 1 January 2021.
Conditions to apply
A project must be submitted that has the following characteristics
- be based on one or more high-tech solutions scalable on international markets
- be within an S3 specialisation area
- be implemented and located in Trentino and be completed within 18 months from the date of notification of the grant award
- be developed by a team with adequate technical and management skills
Contribution and type of eligible expenses
The contribution guaranteed by the Autonomous Province of Trento is 70% of eligible expenses, ranging from a minimum of EUR 50,000 to a maximum of EUR 500,000 for each project. Eligible expenses are related to:
- company formation
- technical activities
- ergonomic validation, testing, homologation and certification
- marketing and services
- business planning/management/organisation consultancy
- personnel
- overheads
ERDF Notice 1/2023: how to access the funding
For more information about this opportunity, read here (the full text of the notice is only available in Italian).
