Italy AI

Italy AI funding through IT4LIA AI Factory represents Italy's strategic initiative to transform the national and European AI landscape. Funded with €32.5 million and led by acatech, IT4LIA provides cutting-edge HPC infrastructure including the Leonardo supercomputer, LISA upgrade, GAIA cloud system, and future AI-optimized systems.

Italy offers comprehensive support through multiple channels: MISE (Ministry of Economic Development), Invitalia, and the European Innovation Council (EIC). Programs include Smart & Start Italia for startups, Innovation Contracts for R&D tax credits, and PNRR (National Recovery Plan) funds totaling billions for digital transformation.

For ZHC builders, Italy provides access to world-class supercomputing resources, no-cost access for eligible startups and SMEs, tailored AI development services, and strong support for industrial AI applications. The IT4LIA AI Factory offers data discovery, preparation, analytics, creation, and management services, plus horizontal services spanning AI setup, development, testing, trust/compliance, and networking.

Key Programs:

• IT4LIA AI Factory - Free HPC access for startups, comprehensive AI services
• EIC Programme 2025 - €1.4 billion for deep tech, €634M for EIC Accelerator
• Smart & Start Italia - Startup funding up to €1.5M
• Innovation Contracts - R&D tax credits up to 50%
• Transition 4.0 - Industry 4.0 tax incentives
• PNRR Funds - National recovery plan billions

Available Programs

• IT4LIA AI Factory - No-cost HPC access for eligible startups, SMEs, public administrations, academic institutions
• EIC Pathfinder - €262M for deep tech research, early-stage technology development
• EIC Transition - €98M for bridging research to market
• EIC Accelerator - €634M for scale-up, €10-30M per company
• Smart & Start Italia - Italian registered startups, innovative business models
• Innovation Contracts - R&D tax credits for companies conducting research
• Transition 4.0 - Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 investments
• PNRR funds - Recovery plan calls across sectors

Strategic Sectors (IT4LIA)

• Agritech and Agrifood - AI for efficient, resilient agriculture
• Cybersecurity - Threat detection, response, cyber resilience
• Earth (Climate/Weather/Environment) - Forecasting, adaptation, sustainability
• Manufacturing - Innovation, efficiency, interconnection

ZHC-Specific Fit

✅ Excellent for:

• Deep tech AI requiring HPC infrastructure
• Manufacturing and industrial AI solutions
• Climate tech and sustainability applications
• Cybersecurity and data protection
• Smart industry and automation
• Italian or European market entry
• Research-industry collaborations
• Agritech innovations

❌ Poor fit if:

• No Italian presence or EU entity
• Outside strategic sectors
• Pure consumer apps without B2B angle
• No technical innovation component

Eligibility Requirements

IT4LIA AI Factory:

• Startups, SMEs, public administrations, academic institutions
• European entities prioritized
• Projects aligned with strategic sectors
• Technical AI/HPC requirements

EIC Programmes:

• EU-based companies and research organizations
• Deep tech focus with high-risk innovation
• Breakthrough technologies
• Clear commercialization path
• For EIC Accelerator: companies up to 499 employees

Italian National Programs:

• Italian registered entity or subsidiary
• Innovation focus
• Co-funding capabilities
• Job creation commitment

IT4LIA AI Factory Process

1. Assess fit - Review strategic sectors and technical requirements
2. Access application - Via IT4LIA AI Factory website
3. Submit proposal - Technical description, use case, resource needs
4. Evaluation - Technical review and strategic alignment
5. Onboarding - Training, infrastructure access, support services
6. Implementation - Development with ongoing support
7. Review - Progress monitoring and additional support

EIC Programme Process

Programme	Timeline	Process
EIC Pathfinder	6-8 months	Two-stage evaluation, 2-4 year projects
EIC Transition	4-6 months	Single-stage, proof of concept to market
EIC Accelerator	4-6 months	Fast-track evaluation, pitch interviews
EIC STEP Scale-up	4-6 months	€10-30M funding, co-investment required

Italian National Programs

Smart & Start Italia:

1. Register - Via Invitalia platform
2. Prepare business plan - Detailed financial projections
3. Submit application - Online portal
4. Evaluation - 60-90 days
5. Approval - Funding agreement
6. Disbursement - Milestone-based payments

Innovation Contracts & Tax Credits:

1. Document R&D - Track all research activities
2. Annual filing - Via tax return
3. Certification - Optional technical review
4. Credit application - Reduces tax liability

Typical Requirements

• Italian entity or subsidiary (national programs)
• EU entity (EIC programmes)
• Co-funding 20-50% typically
• Milestone-based reporting
• Technical documentation
• Financial statements

Application Timeline

• IT4LIA: Rolling applications, 2-3 month review
• EIC calls: Quarterly deadlines throughout year
• Smart & Start: Continuous calls
• Tax credits: Annual claims
• PNRR funds: Specific call deadlines

Funding Structure

IT4LIA AI Factory:

• Free HPC compute time
• Technical support and training
• Data services and tools
• AI model development assistance

EIC Funding:

• Grants: 70-100% eligible costs
• Equity: 25-49% company valuation
• Blended: Grant + equity combination

Italian National:

• Grants: 50-80% project costs
• Tax credits: 20-50% R&D expenses
• Low-interest loans available

IT4LIA AI Factory

• IT4LIA Website
• IT4LIA on LinkedIn
• Training programs and workshops regularly offered

European Innovation Council (EIC)

• EIC Work Programme 2025
• EIC Pathfinder
• EIC Accelerator
• Email: EIC-SMEInstrument@ec.europa.eu

Italian Government Programs

• MISE - Ministry of Economic Development
• Invitalia - National Agency
• Smart & Start Italia
• Transition 4.0

Research & Training

• CINECA - Supercomputing Center
• acatech - National Academy
• Italian universities and research institutes

Support Organizations

• CDP Venture Capital
• Regional innovation agencies
• Technology transfer offices