Italy implements entrepreneurship incentives and innovation festivals

Italy has implemented two major incentive programs, Resto al Sud 2.0 and Autoimpiego Centro-Nord, managed by Invitalia to support young entrepreneurs. As of August 2026, these measures have seen 1,828 approved applications, resulting in 116 million euros in disbursements and 138 million euros in total activated investments.

Resto al Sud 2.0 targets the Mezzogiorno regions, including Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardegna, and Sicilia, as well as central Italy's seismic areas. It offers non-repayable grants covering up to 75 percent of eligible expenses (up to 50,000 euros) and zero-interest loans for larger investments up to 200,000 euros. Autoimpiego Centro-Nord provides similar support for northern and central regions.

Complementing these state measures, the BCC Innovation Festival, organized by Gruppo BCC Iccrea and Banca Don Rizzo, is expanding its reach to Alcamo. The festival aims to connect startups and innovative ideas in sectors such as agritech, foodtech, and fintech with investors and incubators, providing a pathway from initial concept to market entry.