Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the driving force behind the Italian economy, contributing significantly to job creation, business diversification and innovation. Becoming a partner in an SME means seizing the opportunity to participate in the growth of a dynamic enterprise, with potential financial advantages and access to tax incentives, while supporting local and national economic development. In this landscape, equity crowdfunding emerges as a strategic ally.
Thanks to equity crowdfunding, SMEs can raise capital quickly and efficiently, democratising access to funds and overcoming the barriers of traditional bank financing channels. This approach not only expands funding opportunities, but also allows a network of qualified investors to become partners in innovative companies, thus maximising growth and return prospects. In this article, we will explore the tools and strategies that make equity crowdfunding a winning option to support the growth of Italian SMEs.
What really is an SME?
SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) comprise companies with fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover not exceeding EUR 50 million. These enterprises are divided into:
- Micro enterprises: up to 10 employees and a maximum annual turnover of EUR 2 million.
- Small enterprises: less than 50 employees and turnover up to EUR 10 million.
- Medium-sized enterprises: up to 250 employees, turnover up to EUR 50 million or an annual balance sheet not exceeding EUR 43 million.
It is important to distinguish SMEs from innovative start-ups. To understand their impact, suffice it to say that in the first half of 2024 alone, SACE, a subsidiary of the MEF, mobilised EUR 26.3 billion, supporting over 51,000 companies.
Facilities and Incentives in 2024 for Innovative SMEs
In 2024, the Italian state introduced several facilities to support innovative SMEs:
- SME Guarantee Fund: facilitates access to credit by offering a state guarantee. It is available for several sectors, provided the company has a sound financial situation.
- Nuova Sabatini: finances the purchase of equipment and digital technologies at subsidised rates: 2.75% for standard investments and 3.575% for advanced digital (Industry 4.0) and green investments.
- Transition 5.0 programme: provides tax credits for investments in innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, with the aim of improving energy efficiency by at least 3 per cent.
Focus Green: Incentives for SMEs in the Green Economy
SMEs committed to environmental sustainability can access additional facilities in 2024, including:
- Subsidised financing: coverage of up to 60% of costs for projects related to ecological transition.
- Non-repayable grants: up to 15% for decarbonisation and plastic reduction initiatives.
- Circular Economy Tax Credit: covers up to 30 per cent of expenses for projects aimed at reducing environmental impact.
Investing in training and innovation
There is no shortage of incentives for training. The Formazione 4.0 measure allows SMEs to obtain tax credits of up to 70 per cent for small companies and 30 per cent for large companies, with a ceiling of between EUR 250,000 and EUR 300,000. In addition, the New Skills Fund offers grants for the remuneration of employees involved in training programmes related to digitisation and sustainability.
How to Invest in Italian SMEs: Tools and Strategies
There are many ways to invest in SMEs:
- Listed SMEs: you can buy shares via your bank or online trading platforms. Currently, around 300 Italian SMEs are listed on the Piazza Affari.
- Individual Savings Plans (PIR): medium- to long-term investment instruments that support SMEs with tax advantages.
- Equity Crowdfunding: platforms such as 2meet2biz.com allow investors to become shareholders in unlisted SMEs. This mode offers the right to tax deductions of up to 30% on the invested amount, with the obligation to maintain the investment for at least three years. In some cases, one can benefit from a 50% IRPEF deduction under the de minimis regime.
Innovative SMEs: Requirements and Benefits
To be classified as innovative, an SME must fulfil specific criteria, including:
- Having its head office in Italy or the EU/EEA.
- Less than 250 employees and a maximum turnover of EUR 50 million.
- audited financial statements and not being listed on regulated markets.
At least two of the following requirements must also be met:
- R&D investments exceeding 3% of production value.
- At least one-third of the staff with master's degrees or one-fifth with doctorates and research activities.
- Possession of industrial patents or industrial property rights.
In conclusion, equity crowdfunding is proving to be a powerful tool for the support and growth of Italian SMEs, offering them the possibility of accessing capital in an agile way and involving a community of motivated and participating investors. This form of financing represents a breakthrough not only for business innovation and competitiveness, but also for investors, who can diversify their portfolios and benefit from potential return opportunities. Looking to the future, alternative or complementary finance instruments to bank credit such as equity crowdfunding and private lending support a growth strategy that is a fundamental key to strengthening the resilience of Italy's entrepreneurial fabric and supporting the country's economic development.