The Councilor for Economic Development of the Calabria Region, Rosario Variillustrated today, during a press conference at the regional citadel of Catanzaro, the public notice intended for the creation and consolidation of research startups and spin-offs.
Also speaking at the launch event were the director general of the regional Department of Economic Development, Paolo Praticòthe CEO of Fincalabra, Alessandro Zanfino, the president of Unindustria Calabria, Aldo Ferrarathe representatives of the Calabrian universities, Giovanni Cuda(Umg Catanzaro), Giuseppe Zimbalatti (Mediterranean Reggio Calabria) e Mauro Muzzopappa (Unical rector delegate Nicola Leone).
The Region aims to create a favorable environment for the development of new ideas and technologies, aware that innovation is fundamental to face future challenges and interact with global networks.
In his speech, Councilor Varì declared that “Research and technological innovation are fundamental to develop solutions that can improve products, processes and services and thus make companies competitive on the markets, public administration efficient, citizens’ lives improve. For these reasons, the regional government, led by President Occhiuto, has decided to support the birth and consolidation of innovative startups and research spin-offs by making 15 million euros available. We have decided to invest in our young talents and in technological innovation, believing them to be crucial for the development and growth of the territory”.
In conclusion, Councilor Varì focused on the prestigious Startup Ecosystem Star Award, awarded in Paris as part of the Best-in-class Startup Programs to the Calabria Region and Fincalabra Spa.
“This international recognition – he stated – highlights the effectiveness of regional policies in support of startups, a sector that is growing in Calabria thanks to targeted initiatives and strategies. There is still a lot of work to do but the award confirms that we have taken the right path.”
The Notice, financed under the Calabria Pr 2021/2027 – Action 1.1.2, has a overall budget of 15 million eurosdivided into two lines of intervention: Line 1, dedicated to the creation of innovative startups, is aimed at teams of people who intend to set up a new business; Line 2, on the other hand, is intended for the consolidation of startups already established no more than five years ago. Each project will be able to benefit from a non-repayable contribution of a maximum of 300,000 euros, equal to 75% of the eligible expenses.
The initiative confirms the regional government’s commitment to promoting innovation, recognizing its crucial role in strengthening economic competitiveness and supporting the growth of businesses in the area.
As evidence of this, the regional administration, with the Research and Development call, has allocated 45 million euros in non-repayable contributions to support 58 innovation programs presented by Calabrian companies in partnership with research organisations, activating a total of 70 millions of euros of investments in Calabria.
The Region is engaged in a broader strategic and integrated action to support the entire innovation ecosystem which contemplates, in addition to the activation of the measures already put in place, the forthcoming launch of a series of tools aimed at supporting innovative forms of research and development by the regional production system, also oriented towards attracting investments from large companies, such as the “Step” programme.
Initiatives to support regional research infrastructures as well as the activation of a program of qualified services to support the players in the regional innovation ecosystem will be part of the tools launched.
During the press conference, the speakers underlined the strategic importance of supporting innovative startups, recognizing them as essential levers for attracting talent, promoting entrepreneurship and building a more dynamic economic ecosystem.