The Lombardy Region is making €15 million available to support the technological development of innovative early-stage startups, helping them advance their solutions towards market readiness. The funding scheme supports research and development projects, including the development of prototypes, feasibility studies, testing and experimentation activities, engineering, industrial validation and certification. Eligible applicants are small enterprises registered in the special section of the Italian Business Register for innovative startups, established no more than 36 months prior to the application date. This period may be extended to 60 months for startups with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) below 6. Eligible costs include, among others, personnel, specialist consultancy services, equipment, materials, laboratory services, and testing and certification costs, provided that they are incurred after the application has been submitted. The incentive takes the form of a non-repayable grant covering up to 80% of eligible costs, for projects with total eligible expenditure ranging from €150,000 to €1.25 million. Interested companies can submit their applications from 28 September 2026 until 25 November 2026.