New methods of reporting, expansion of the audience of recipients, financing for marketing and brand activities and extension for registration in the special register of companies. These are some of the innovations introduced by the Mise Decree of 9 August 2017, published in the Official Gazette, which introduces important changes to the Smart&Start Italia incentives, managed by Invitalia in support of innovative startups.
The Decree simplifies the previous Ministerial Decree of 24 September 2014 and, in accordance with the most recent legislation on innovative startups, meets the needs expressed by companies, both in terms of liquidity and by admitting expenses that have by now become strategic for an innovative startup to be financed, and by promoting industrial property rights.
In particular, the most important innovations are the following:
1. companies established for no more than 60 months can also access the concessions
2. investments for marketing and web marketing are eligible for funding
3. trademarks can also be financed (in addition to patents and licenses)
4. a further reporting method is introduced on the presentation of non-receiptable invoices (provided that payment has been confirmed within 45 days of the crediting of the sums by Invitalia)
5. for teams of people, enrollment in the special register of innovative startups does not have to be proven upon signing the contract, but is deferred to the first request for the granting of subsidies.
