Financing innovation: 55 million Euros for “Start Up” proclamation for new technology R&D

The Italian Ministry for Economic Development has assigned 55 million Euros for development plans proposed by start-up companies regarding upper-middle technology fields. Such programs can include both pre-competitive development and industrial research activities.

The aim is to promote R&D, particularly in the following fields:
- biotechnologies;
- information and communication technology;
- innovative (advanced) materials;
- robotic systems of high interaction with human beings and environment; domotic systems; mechatronic systems for motion generation, transmission and control;
- technologies, processes, management and control systems for eco-sustainable production and use of energy, fuels and finished and semi-finished products, based on renewable sources exploitation and/or natural raw materials.

The "Start Up" proclamation, published on July 25th 2009, is one of the many activities financed by the Italian "Fondo per l'innovazione tecnologica del 2009" (l. 46/82).