Sicily launches innovation programs for startups and SMEs

New initiatives are targeting the growth of startups and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Sicily through digital innovation and sustainability programs.

The S.E.M.E. (Sicilian Ecosystem for Modern Entrepreneurship) project, led by Banca Agricola Popolare di Sicilia (BAPS), has launched a selection process for its incubation and acceleration programs. Part of the ‘Open Innovation Sicilia’ initiative, the project aims to allocate one million euros to support new business ideas and existing companies. The program will operate out of the Greentech Mediterranean Innovation Hub in Ragusa, a 3,000-square-meter facility designed to connect businesses, startups, universities, and research centers. The initiative includes two tracks: incubation for 12 emerging teams and acceleration for nine active SMEs.

Separately, the In. Sicily Accelerator, promoted by Fondazione Emblema and funded by the Sicilian Region, has selected six innovative companies to receive non-repayable grants of 50,000 euros each. These funds are intended for investments in technology, R&D, and digital tools. The selected companies include Aquaponic Design srl, Clevergrow srl, Hep srl, Medithera srl, MGM Lab srl, and Welldigit srl, covering sectors such as AI-driven software, automated irrigation, and biotechnology.