Savona, New Filse BIC Hub for Businesses and Startups inaugurated
23 FEBRUARY 2026
Today, the new Filse BIC space in Via Paleocapa, in the heart of Savona, was officially inaugurated by the President of the Liguria Region, Marco Bucci. The hub is dedicated to the development of local businesses and startups and is promoted by Filse, the financial company of the Liguria Region, which has been supporting the regional economic system for over 50 years.
With approximately €40 million already disbursed out of a total allocation exceeding €54 million under the 2021–2027 programming period, more than 2,000 applications submitted, and an estimated impact of over 4,400 new jobs created, Filse confirms its role as a strategic outpost and driving force for economic development in the Savona area.
In addition to Filse President Gerolamo Taccogna, speakers included Mayor Marco Russo, President of the Province Pierangelo Olivieri, Rector of the University of Genoa Federico Delfino, and Regional Councillors Alessio Piana (Economic Development and Industry), Paolo Ripamonti (Energy and Complex Industrial Crisis Areas), and Claudia Morich (Budget and Financial Management of European Funds).
“With this new Filse space, we are taking an important step forward in the path we have set to ensure that young people and anyone wishing to start a business in Liguria receive the necessary help and support,” said Liguria Region President Marco Bucci. “We have already opened offices like this in Genoa and Imperia, and today we are proud to do so here in Savona, because we want to give everyone the opportunity to achieve something significant with concrete support. We cannot expect everyone to be an expert in marketing, finance, or technology, but we can make up for that with what we, as a Region, can offer in terms of expertise, resources, and by creating networking opportunities—connections and relationships among those who want to build something innovative to encourage the development of new ideas. This is the right approach to support entrepreneurial growth throughout the region.”
“With this new office,” stated Filse President Gerolamo Taccogna, “we are strengthening the presence of the Filse Group in Savona by offering a space dedicated to innovation and entrepreneurial growth. We want it to become a point of reference for startups, students, and businesses, also thanks to collaborations with the University of Genoa and local innovation stakeholders. Together with the recent opening of the Imperia office, this step confirms our commitment to supporting local economic development with services and opportunities that are increasingly accessible and close to the community.”
The new street-level space features two large shop windows overlooking the arcades of Via Paleocapa and has been designed as an open and accessible environment for citizens. This area will host coworking activities, training and information events, networking initiatives, tutoring and coaching services for startups, as well as an information point on incentive opportunities offered by the Liguria Region and managed by Filse.
On the upper floor, in line with Filse’s role as a holding company and with a view to optimizing and improving the efficiency of spaces, several offices of its subsidiary IRE (Infrastructure Recovery Energy) will be located. The second floor also includes workstations and a meeting room, providing logistical support for the management of projects and initiatives implemented in the Savona area.
During the speeches, the importance of the new center as a driver of local growth, a hub for technology transfer, and a catalyst for new collaborations between businesses, research institutions, and public authorities was emphasized. In this regard, the existing collaboration agreement with the University of Genoa is particularly significant, as it will promote the creation and development of innovative companies originating in the academic environment, with the aim of enhancing technologies and knowledge developed within the University of Genoa, specifically at the Savona University Campus.
A second important synergy is the collaboration with the Savona Startup Association, which operates locally to promote a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, self-employment, and support for startups, aspiring entrepreneurs, and professionals. The association will work with the center to enhance the Spaces as a place for work, innovation, collaboration, networking, and business creation.
The activities and prospects of the new center were further explored during an institutional discussion attended by local political representatives and Filse officials. Among the speakers were Claudia Morich, Regional Councillor for Budget and Financial Management of European Funds; Elisa Di Padova, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Educational Policies of the Municipality of Savona; Alessio Piana, Regional Councillor for Economic Development; and Paolo Ripamonti, Regional Councillor for EU Programs, Environment, Energy, and Complex Industrial Crisis Areas.
The new center restores to the city a stable reference point for entrepreneurship, continuing the long-standing presence of the regional financial institution in Savona and aligning with Filse’s territorial strengthening strategy, which in 2025 also saw the inauguration of its Imperia office at the Imperia Ware technology hub.