Liguria
The perfect place to do businesswhy do business in Liguria?
We are the first region to support access to credit on very advantageous terms for the commerce and crafts sectors, through an innovative use of European funds. We have developed business capitalisation tools to help startups grow and established companies strengthen their assets.
We support the digitisation of businesses, organisations, and the territory with specific actions dedicated to the hinterland. In recent years, we have implemented numerous initiatives to support companies and organisations that want to implement circular economy projects and improve their energy position. To reduce waste, incentivise self-production, and promote the establishment of renewable energy communities.
Starting a business
We support companies wishing to establish themselves in Liguria through dedicated informational services:
- Road Map Liguria, a calendar of calls for proposals and opportunities to facilitate business planning for participation in regional calls.
- Opportunity Liguria, a tool providing maps, statistical content, and much more to discover locations for sale or rent and evaluate investment possibilities.
Useful links:
Relocating a business
Liguria is the Gateway to the Mediterranean thanks to its port system: a hub for traffic towards the major ports of Northern Europe. Here, you’ll find a strong inclination towards innovation, with leaders in research and a network of highly specialised small and medium-sized enterprises deeply rooted in the territory. Whether it’s large international companies, niche productions, or business projects, Liguria offers an environmental context comprising charming inland villages, small and large cities in transition overlooking one of Italy’s most beautiful seas, and unique artisanal and gastronomic traditions worldwide. You can develop business and life projects that balance work and family needs, quality of life, career, and business development. Here are some tools to guide you through the process:
– Opportunity Liguria, provides maps, statistical content, and much more to discover locations for sale or rent and evaluate investment possibilities;
Useful links:
THE PORTS AND LOGISTICS SYSTEM
We are the leading Italian region for companies operating in the Blue Economy and the foremost port hub for container traffic in Italy. Our goal is to promote the visibility of our logistic-port system and all companies connected to the transportation and distribution sector, which from our Mediterranean ports, ship goods and investments towards the major traffic hubs of Northern and Central Europe.
Useful Links:
CRAFTSMANSHIP AND TRADE
In Liguria, we value the “artisan know-how” and trade with specific calls for proposals and the activation of instruments to protect the specificities and skills, aiming to recognise their creativity, quality, and typicality. This is a way to contribute to the value of city historical centres, villages, and the inland areas through commercial activities and artisan workshops.
Craftsmanship:
Trade:
Other useful links:
Other regional initiatives:
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
The research and innovation system is deeply rooted. We have always combined tradition and innovation and are committed to enhancing thematic sectors with high growth and development potential, channeling funding to create an ecosystem that aligns business needs, youth education, and employability. We are the region with the highest number of companies working in the maritime economy (10.5%, compared to the national average of 3.8%) and the highest growth rate in the high-tech sector.
Through the 5 Research and Innovation Poles, we foster collaboration among companies to implement projects in line with the regional smart specialisation strategy and attract regional, national, and European funding: Italian Institute of Technology in Liguria; University of Genoa in the Research system; Research and innovation centers; Digital innovation hub; Start 4.0; Competence center; The 2 incubators (Filse and Why lab, also listed by Mimit); Ambrosetti Forum.
Useful links:
EUROPEAN AND REGIONAL PROJECTS
We have systematically utilised European and national funding to support the territory and economic development. In the new programming of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Liguria has been allocated 630 million euros, a significant and unprecedented endowment for our region.
90% of these resources will be concentrated in favour of businesses.
Liguria also participates in important territorial cooperation programmes.
Useful links:
LIVE IN LIGURIA
1O REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE TO TRASFER BUSINESS AND FAMILY TO LIGURIA
Smart working in Liguria
Discover calls for digitalisation and smart working:
Trade Fairs
Discover how we support the internationalisation of your business:
Energy
Discover energy policies and how we promote the establishment of Renewable Energy Communities (CER):
Female Entrepreneurs Under 30
All economic development calls, particularly those dedicated to trade and craftsmanship, offer incentives to support female-led businesses and young entrepreneurs. Over the years, through the regional Smart Cup Competition, we have helped ideas become startups and startups evolve into businesses in our regional incubators.
Useful links:
- LigurCapital tools for startups
- Business incubators (only two certified by Mimit: Filse and Wylab
- Participate in Smart Cup Liguria, the competition for high-tech entrepreneurial idea
- Garanzia Artigianato Liguria tool to support artisans’ investments
- Cassa Commercio Liguria tool to support commercial economic activities
- An updated calendar with active calls for proposals for businesses
- Una road map of upcoming calls for proposals to help businesses plan their activities
Business Calls
The Liguria Region supports and promotes the Ligurian economic system through specific calls for proposals and dedicated initiatives. These calls aim to both support existing activities, strengthening traditional sectors such as trade and quality craftsmanship, and accelerate the development of high-tech and maritime economy sectors.
All active calls for proposals are available on the Liguria Region website.
Liguria International
Liguria International is the company of the Liguria Region dedicated to implementing and coordinating regional policies on internationalisation.
The company’s task is to promote the Ligurian economic system internationally by working on specific programs and in synergy with regional policies for territorial marketing, tourism, and agriculture.