The Emilia-Romagna regional government will reopen applications for the Fondo StartER, a program offering financial support to new and growing small businesses, beginning at 11:00 AM on April 15, 2026 and continuing until 12:00 PM on May 29, 2026, pending the exhaustion of available funds.
The initiative, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FESR) 2021-2027, provides grants covering up to 30% of eligible costs, with a maximum contribution of €30,000. The funding is targeted towards micro and small enterprises, professionals, and businesses registered in the REA (Register of Economic and Administrative Activities) that have been operating for less than five years.
Eligible expenses include investments in both tangible and intangible assets, consulting services, personnel costs, participation in trade fairs, rental expenses, and inventory. The program operates in conjunction with the regulations outlined in the broader Fondo Starter PR FESR 2021–2027 framework.
A parallel funding stream, the Fondo Idrocarburi, will also be available alongside Fondo StartER, allocating €1.609.244,00 to new businesses located in municipalities impacted by hydrocarbon extraction activities. These municipalities include Podenzano and Vigolzone (Piacenza province), Corniglio and Fornovo di Taro (Parma province), Salsomaggiore Terme (Parma province), Fanano and Lama Mocogno (Modena province), Mirandola, Modena, Montefiorino, Novi di Modena, Palagano, San Cesario sul Panaro, San Possidonio, and Spilamberto (Modena province), as well as Alto Reno Terme, Budrio, Castel di Casio, Gaggio Montano, Imola, Lizzano in Belvedere, and Medicina (Bologna province), and Codigoro, Ravenna (Ravenna province), and Misano Adriatico (Rimini province).
The regional government established the Fondo regionale Multiscopo di finanza agevolata in February 2023 to support the creation and growth of new businesses and foster innovation. The Fondo StartER is a component of this broader initiative.
According to Artigiancredito, which is part of the managing consortium alongside BNL, the program is specifically designed for small businesses that have been constituted for less than five years at the time of application and operate within the Emilia-Romagna region.
BNL, which incorporated Banca Agevolarti in January 2025, is managing the financial aspects of the program. Financing is provided through a mixed credit system, with 75% of the funds originating from public resources within the FESR 2021-2027 program and the remaining 25% from contributions made by participating credit institutions. This public funding percentage increases to 80% for female-owned businesses. Loans can reach up to €500,000, with a zero-interest rate applied to 75% of the amount and a conventional rate not exceeding EURIBOR 6 months + 4.99% for the remaining 25%.
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