Applications are now open for the fourth edition of Coopstartup Piemonte, a project run by Legacoop Piemonte and the mutual fund Coopfond to promote the creation of new cooperative enterprises and support innovative business ideas with a social and territorial impact.
The call for ideas for the project, open until January 31, 2026, is aimed at all groups of at least three people who have a project to implement as a cooperative enterprise and at cooperatives that were established after January 1, 2024.
All participants will receive free training on the principles of cooperative startups. The best proposals will then be selected for a one-to-one program aimed at developing the idea and drafting a business plan. At the end of the program, the winning projects will receive a non-repayable grant of €5,000 to cover the start-up costs of their cooperative enterprise and a €1,000 voucher that can be spent on training, assistance, and mentoring services.
In addition, there are two special prizes worth €5,000 each, provided by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, the main partner of Coopstartup Piemonte, and awarded to the best projects by social cooperatives or cooperatives operating in the entertainment, information, and leisure sectors. In addition, Nova Coop will award a special prize of €1,000 in vouchers redeemable at Coop stores for the project that has the greatest impact on environmental and social issues.
“Coopstartup Piemonte is celebrating its fourth edition with numerous projects that have been transformed into businesses: concrete proof that the cooperative model continues to be a modern, competitive, and sustainable response to today's economic and social challenges,” said Dimitri Buzio, President of Legacoop Piemonte. "With this call for proposals, we are not just supporting the creation of new businesses: we are promoting youth entrepreneurship, gender equality, and good ideas that have a real impact on local areas. This year, the network of partners is expanding further with the addition of the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo and the patronage of the municipalities of Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo. This is a strong signal: Legacoop Piemonte wants to be a widespread business accelerator, capable of creating networks, sharing skills, and supporting cooperatives in every stage of their development."
In the last edition, Coopstartup Piemonte saw 18 candidate projects with a particular focus on the creation of Renewable Energy Communities (REC), cooperatives in inland areas subject to depopulation, and new models of assistance and welfare. These themes reflect a commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth, with the aim of creating a positive impact on local communities.
Coopstartup Piemonte is sponsored by Piedmont Region, City of Turin, City of Alessandria, City of Asti, City of Cuneo, City of Novara, and Unioncamere Piemonte. The project is also carried out thanks to the support of its operational partners: Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, Nova Coop, Inforcoop Ecipa Piemonte, University of Turin, Politecnico di Torino, University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO), University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, 2i3T, I3P, and Social Fare.
