Intesa Sanpaolo, 500 million for female entrepreneurs

Intesa Sanpaolo commits 500 million euros to support the birth and development of businesses led by women.

The Bank aims to promote and support the start-up and strengthening of female entrepreneurship, and to maximize the contribution of women to the economic and social development of the country, in line with the objectives of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and with the Women's Enterprise Fund. of the Mise - to which the Pnrr allocates 160 million euros - which provides for facilitations useful for the implementation of investment programs for the start-up or development of female businesses in the sectors of industry, crafts, processing of agricultural products, services, trade and tourism .

The announcement comes on the occasion of the event 'The enhancement of female talent and gender equality in successful business strategies', dedicated to the winning SMEs and the finalists of Women Value Company Intesa Sanpaolo, special category of the Marisa Bellisario Award, established by Marisa Bellisario Foundation in collaboration with the banking group with the aim of involving companies in a path of female empowerment and giving visibility to the most virtuous and innovative practices.

Two SMEs winners of the special 'Golden Apple', which distinguished themselves for innovative and inclusive development policies, the ability to enhance female talent and for the development of effective corporate welfare solutions.

They are: Multi, a marketing, export and communication consultancy company based in Bergamo;

and Masseria San Domenico, a 5-star hotel that since 1996 has welcomed its guests in Fasano, in the province of Brindisi.

News of 2022, two special mentions consistent with the PNRR missions: 'Innovation', assigned to Rold (Nerviano, MI), and 'New Female Entrepreneurship' in Nanomnia (Campagnola di Zevio, VR).

The winning companies were chosen from a shortlist of 100 finalists, selected from the 800 who self-nominated throughout Italy.

73% have a favorable or equal remuneration policy, 81% have at least half of the managerial roles held by women, 67% have more than half of female employees.

Positive note, 12% have less than 5 years of activity.

Also in this edition, albeit in a still difficult context, the SMEs Women Value Companies have shown that investing in women and welfare is a winning strategy, also revealing a greater sensitivity towards their employees: 71% estimate an increase in turnover, 75% recovered to pre-pandemic levels or had not suffered declines;

87% maintained smart working;

60% offer employees health care solutions,

“Work, welfare, birth rate, Stem, wage equality represent the fundamental challenges for our country - says Lella Golfo, president of the Marisa Bellisario Foundation -.

The numbers of the 100 finalist companies of this sixth edition encourage us even more because they show that investing in women, enhancing their skills, promoting their professional growth also through innovative welfare solutions are all winning bets ".

"For the sixth consecutive year we have the privilege of sharing with the Marisa Bellisario Foundation a project, Women Value Company, and above all a vision - adds Virginia Borla, executive director People, Business Development & Control Management of Intesa Sanpaolo -: that of a company more inclusive, equitable and sustainable,

In collaboration with:

Intesa Sanpaolo