From the European Next Generation EU for digital to private funds for financing start-ups: there are many alternatives for SMEs that they want digital innovation by accessing non-repayable loans in 2021.

We are in the golden age of the transition to digital, and the pandemic has accelerated the trend: in this article we will see in detail all possible options of this year, the interested parties and the methods of providing the contributions.

Budget Law 2021 - non-repayable funding in 2021

Digital innovation of businesses and startups is among the declared priorities of Italian politics, at the moment: let's see what's new in the 2021 Budget Law on the matter.

Ecommerce for agricultural businesses

If we want to enhance Made in Italy, perhaps it is time to start from distribution and logistics: from 2021 to 2023, agricultural companies that want to set up an e-commerce will be able to benefit from the 40% of the tax credit, without limitations. 

An excellent opportunity to make yourself known, in a market that is increasingly moving online.

Do you need help with the e-commerce creation in Lucca? Contact us!

Fund for small and medium-sized creative enterprises 

20 million will be made available for 2021 and another 20 for 2022 to support creative businesses. This support will be structured in 4 ways:

• granting of contributions
• credit facilitation 
• innovative financing tools
• development initiatives. 

We await updates from the Minister of Economic Development to understand the methods of disbursement and the share that will be allocated to digital innovation.

From Europe: non-repayable funding in 2021

PNRR Italy

Among the most significant non-repayable funding in 2021 we have the so-called PNRR Italia (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), established by paragraph 1037 of the Budget Law with resources managed by Invitalia Spa or controlled companies.

It is a 40% financing for high-tech productive investments, established by the Union: the PNRR is in fact a direct application of the Next Generation EU Programme.

46 billion euros will be up to the digitalization and innovation sector, even if the directives of the Ministry of Economy will be needed to understand how, when and what the limits and requirements will be for the individual company.

Other non-repayable funding in 2021 

Innovation Manager Voucher

The Innovation Manager Voucher is one of the most interesting non-repayable funding in 2021: it should have expired in 2020, but the August decree extended it with methods yet to be defined. 

What

A non-repayable contribution for those who request specialist digital consultancy from innovation managers registered in the Mise Register. The voucher is aimed at SMEs and startups and aims to help companies adapt to the National Plan for Enterprise 4.0 provided by the Government: therefore, not only the renewal of management software, but also of the structure of the actual company, which affects access to capital (on the website of the Ministry of Economic Development it is available the complete announcement).

Are you looking for an innovation manager? Contact the administrator of Pizero Design, who is registered as an Innovation Manager.

As

The non-repayable financing is provided in the form of vouchers, in this amount:

• 50% of costs incurred up to €40.000 for small businesses
• 30% of costs incurred up to €25.000 for medium-sized enterprises
• 50% of costs incurred up to €80.000 for business networks.

How to access

It is necessary to sign a service contract between the beneficiary company and the consultancy firm, or qualified professional registered in the MISE register. 

The contract must include the item of specialized services for technological and digital transformation relating to the processes and application of enabling technologies Industry 4.0, management reorganization of the company and access to financial and capital markets.

Investments in equipment, plants, innovative machinery and digital technology

A call that facilitates - in the territories of the regions of Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Puglia and Sicily - investment programs towards Enterprise 4.0. 

Things

Among the various technological innovations, the aim must be to promote the transition of the manufacturing sector "towards the paradigm of the circular economy" (Details are available on the official website of the Ministry).

In simple terms, the interventions must concern the modernization of: machinery, systems and equipment strictly functional to the implementation of the investment programs, and finally (this is the digital part) computer programs and licenses related.

As

In general, every company must take on a series of expenses with these characteristics: 

• expenses not less than 400 thousand euros and not more than 3 million euros; 
• In the case of companies adhering to a network: each program cannot have expenses lower than 200 thousand euros;

The relief is divided into two, the contribution on account and the subsidized loan, to be repaid in no more than 7 years. In more detail:

• Micro and small businesses receive a 35% contribution towards plant costs and a subsidized loan of 40%;
• Medium-sized enterprises receive a 25% contribution towards plant costs and a subsidized loan of 50%.

How to access

Those entitled to funding can fill out the forms on the Ministry of the Interior website at this link and follow the submission instructions.

In short, renew your business with a digital strategic consulting it becomes increasingly simple and linear.