2025 Grants for Women Entrepreneurs: All the Latest Opportunities
Discover the national and regional grants available in August–September 2025 for women who want to start or grow a business in Italy.
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author: Internal Editorial Team
In 2025, Italian institutions have strengthened support measures for women’s entrepreneurship through grants, incentives, and financing to create, develop, and consolidate women-led businesses. In this article, we will analyze the most relevant opportunities to date, including national and regional measures, available resources, and emerging trends. Perfect for those seeking grants, non-repayable contributions, subsidized loans, and incentives for women-owned enterprises.
Why it pays to focus on women’s entrepreneurship today
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Reducing the gender gap: women-led businesses represent about 22–22.5% of all active enterprises in Italy.
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Strong push from digitalization and innovative sectors: crafts with a strong digital component, technology devices, platforms, and digital services.
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European funds, PNRR, and national/regional measures that finance new ideas and business consolidation.
Main active national grants
ON – Oltre Nuove Imprese a Tasso Zero
A measure combining non-repayable grants and zero-interest loans. Aimed at micro and small enterprises composed mainly of women or young people under 35.
Smart&Start Italia
Targeted at tech startups, with dedicated funding for women-led businesses to launch and grow innovative activities.
Women’s Enterprises and Innovative SMEs (MIMIT)
A grant allocating around €15 million for women-led enterprises and innovative SMEs, providing financing and benefits.
Fondo Impresa Femminile
Managed by Invitalia and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. It offers support for the creation, development, and consolidation of women-led businesses.
Regional opportunities not to be missed
Lazio Region – “Women and Business” Grant
Provides non-repayable contributions for women-led SMEs, up to €100,000.
Puglia – “NIDI – New Business Initiatives”
Supports women-led microenterprises, especially for women in disadvantaged conditions.
Initiatives beyond financial support: training and visibility
She’s Next (Visa)
A program supporting women’s crafts and SMEs with training, mentoring, and benefits (goods/services worth up to €10,000) to foster digitalization and enhance Made in Italy.
New Government Portal “Imprenditoria Femminile”
Launched at the end of August 2025, it aims to become the go-to hub for incentives, training, grants, and stories of women entrepreneurs.
Trends and critical issues to monitor
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High competition: many measures are first-come, first-served with limited funds that run out quickly.
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Emphasis on digitalization and innovation: the most active measures reward projects featuring technology, sustainability, and innovation—potentially penalizing traditional sectors.
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Territorial disparities: southern regions and mountain areas often benefit from greater resources, but still face infrastructure and training support gaps.
How to best prepare to seize opportunities
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Constantly monitor the national “Imprenditoria Femminile” portal and regional websites for updates.
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Plan ahead for your business model, required investments, digital components, and innovation aspects.
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Seek support from expert consultants or local incubators when preparing applications.
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Carefully check specific requirements: ownership quotas, women in managerial roles, sector, location, etc.
2025 is shaping up to be a particularly fertile year for women’s entrepreneurship in Italy: national and regional grants, European funds, and training initiatives are creating real opportunities. However, preparation, promptness, and a strategic vision are essential to make the most of them.
Correlated Articles
Fashion, Textile: Grants and Non-Repayable Funding for SMEs by June 3, 2025
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author: Internal Editorial Team
Internal Editorial Team
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