Subsidized finance: a strategic lever for business growth and innovation
Subsidized finance is an important tool in a competitive economic environment. Here's how to access the main instruments available.
In a context of still-high interest rates and margins under pressure, subsidized finance represents one of the few concrete levers for supporting investments in automation and digitalization without placing excessive strain on company cash flow.
The 2026 landscape: what has changed
As of January 1, 2026, the Transition 4.0 tax credit has been replaced by the Hyper-Depreciation scheme (Law 199/2025), which allows a super-deduction of the purchase cost of up to 180% for investments in 4.0 capital goods made by September 30, 2028. At the same time, Transition 5.0 — focused on AI automation and energy sustainability — continues to offer a tax credit of up to 45%.
Cumulability: the real advantage
The point that is often overlooked is that many of these instruments can be combined with each other and with regional incentives. A company in Southern Italy investing in robotic automation could potentially access the 2026 Hyper-Depreciation scheme, ZES funds and regional ERDF calls, covering up to 60-70% of the total investment.
Key4 has successfully managed over 50 subsidized finance applications, achieving an approval rate of 90% and maximizing on average 45% of the investment cost financed through incentives.
Our approach
Key4 integrates subsidized finance consulting directly into the plant design process. This means that every investment in automation, robotics or digitalization is structured from the outset to maximize access to incentives.
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