Neva SGR and Regione Lombardia Launch €40 Million Venture Capital Initiative to Support Cleantech Startups in Lombardy

Neva SGR and Regione Lombardia Launch €40 Million Venture Capital Initiative to Support Cleantech Startups in Lombardy

(IN BRIEF) Neva SGR has been selected by Regione Lombardia to support the Lombardia Venture STEP initiative, which aims to strengthen venture capital access for innovative companies in Lombardy. The regional government has invested €20 million from the Lombardia ERDF 2021–2027 programme in the Neva II – Parallelo Lombardia Fund, which will focus on cleantech startups and scale-ups developing technologies related to decarbonisation, energy efficiency and environmental impact reduction. Neva SGR will contribute an additional €20 million through its Neva II and Neva II Italia funds, bringing the total investment capacity to €40 million. To identify potential investments, Neva SGR will launch the Call for Cleantech Startups Lombardia, targeting companies with operations in Lombardy or willing to relocate to the region and with technologies at a Technology Readiness Level of six or higher. The initiative is intended to strengthen regional innovation, support sustainable technologies and contribute to Europe’s strategic technological development.

(PRESS RELEASE) MILAN, 6-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Neva SGR has been selected by Regione Lombardia to participate in the Lombardia Venture STEP initiative, a programme aimed at strengthening access to venture capital for innovative companies in the region. As part of the initiative, Regione Lombardia has committed €20 million from the Lombardia ERDF Regional Programme 2021–2027 to the newly established Neva II – Parallelo Lombardia Fund, which will focus on supporting cleantech startups and scale-ups.

The programme, funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and managed by Finlombarda, seeks to accelerate the development of advanced technologies and innovative solutions that contribute to Europe’s economic resilience, security and technological autonomy. By improving access to risk capital, the initiative aims to encourage the growth of high-potential companies based in Lombardy.

Neva SGR, the venture capital arm of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group and fully owned by Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, was selected through a public selection process that evaluated several national venture capital operators. Following its selection, Neva SGR established the Neva II – Parallelo Lombardia Fund, designed to operate alongside its Neva II and Neva II Italia funds.

Regione Lombardia has subscribed the entire €20 million share capital of the new fund, which will be used to support equity investments in cleantech startups and scale-ups located in Lombardy. These companies will focus on technologies that contribute to decarbonisation, reduction of environmental impact and improvements in energy efficiency, consistent with Action 2.9.2 of the Lombardia ERDF 2021–2027 Regional Programme.

Neva SGR will complement the regional investment by contributing an additional €20 million through its Neva II and Neva II Italia funds. Together, the combined investment aims to create a funding pool of €40 million to support the growth of innovative companies operating in the cleantech sector.

To identify suitable investment opportunities, Neva SGR will launch the Call for Cleantech Startups Lombardia, an initiative designed to attract applications from startups and scale-ups developing advanced environmental technologies. The call aims to reach a wide range of companies operating in the cleantech sector that are based in Lombardy or willing to establish operations in the region.

Eligible companies must have their registered headquarters and at least one operational site in Lombardy and demonstrate that their activities will generate economic benefits for the region for a minimum of five years. Applicants must also demonstrate a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of at least six on the nine-level scale used to measure the maturity of technological solutions. Companies that intend to relocate their headquarters and operational presence to Lombardy before receiving investment may also be considered.

Applications for the Call for Cleantech Startups Lombardia must be submitted by the end of April through the dedicated email address provided by Neva SGR.

Mario Costantini, CEO and General Manager of Neva SGR, welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with the regional authorities in promoting sustainable innovation. He said the company will bring its expertise in evaluating high-potential startups and scale-ups both in Italy and internationally, as well as its experience in managing venture capital funds that help promising young companies expand and scale their technologies.

Media Relations

Intesa Sanpaolo

Corporate & Investment Banking and Governance Areas

stampa@intesasanpaolo.com

SOURCE:  Intesa Sanpaolo