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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Italy · Residence permit

How to Obtain Italian Residence Permit Through Investmentin FashionTech Startup in Florence

Sometimes an investment-based residence permit is not merely an entry point to a country, but an entry into its thriving industry. Our client sought an Italian residence permit while refusing to "park" funds passively—instead wanting to invest in something aligned with his interests. Florence, fashion, and technology converged in a single project: an innovative FashionTech startup. This is a straightforward case study of a successful choice. We explain how we identified the project and secured the status.

Anna KovalevskayaAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGESReading time8 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How to Obtain Italian Residence Permit Through Investment in FashionTech Startup in Florence
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Investor with Interest in Fashion and Technology
Objective
Italian Residence Permit + Meaningful Investment
Program
Italy, Investment Residence Permit (Investor Visa for Italy)
Key Considerations
Selection of an innovative startup registered in the official registry
Project
FashionTech Startup in Florence
Minimum Threshold
Investment from €250,000 in an innovative startup
Result
Italian Residence Permit and Equity Stake in a Growing Project

Client story

Client's Story

Where they started

The client presented a dual request: he needed an Italian residence permit, but a "passive" investment made solely for compliance was unappealing. He wanted his capital to work in a project he understood and found meaningful, rather than sitting idle in bonds or an abstract fund.

Why the standard route did not work

Among the pathways for Italy's investment-based residence permit, investment in an innovative startup was ideal for him—a minimum investment of €250,000 in a project from a special registry. This offered both the most accessible threshold and the only option where capital flows into an active, growing business rather than a passive asset.

What BRIDGES had to solve

The task remained to identify a project that qualified as innovative under registry criteria and aligned with the client's interests. Florence, the historic center of fashion, has long become a growth hub for FashionTech startups at the intersection of fashion and technology. One such project, registered in the innovative startups registry, proved to be the suitable vehicle for investment.

Why a standard answer would not do

The client approached BRIDGES to make an informed choice: to verify that the startup genuinely qualified as innovative, conduct due diligence, and secure the residence permit through investment in it.

I did not want to invest money simply to obtain documentation. I wanted the investment to be meaningful to me. Anna offered an option that excited me: an innovative FashionTech startup in Florence—fashion plus technology, exactly my area of interest. We verified it was in the registry and qualified, I invested the required amount, and obtained the residence permit. Now I have both status in Italy and an equity stake in a living project that is interesting to follow. This is a completely different experience than bonds.

Dmitry · InvestorThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Key Considerations

Key Considerations

There was no drama here—just the task of making a sound choice. The startup pathway offers the lowest threshold and a meaningful investment but requires the project to genuinely qualify as innovative and be registered. Therefore, the key is not to become enamored with an attractive concept at the expense of due diligence: an interesting project must also meet program requirements and be reliable.

The startup must be registered in the innovative startups registry;

  1. 01The project must genuinely qualify as innovative under program criteria;
  2. 02Due diligence of the project prior to the €250,000 investment;
  3. 03Alignment of the investment with the "approval-investment" model;
  4. 04Investment-based residence permit requires neither language proficiency nor permanent residence.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    We clarified the client's dual objective. First, we established that the client needed not only a residence status but also a meaningful investment in a project aligned with his interests. This immediately pointed toward the innovative startup pathway rather than passive options such as bonds.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    We narrowed the selection to innovative startups in the registry. We identified projects registered in the specialized innovative startup registry that genuinely meet program criteria, filtering out anything merely called a startup but not meeting the actual requirements.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    We found a FashionTech project in Florence. Among suitable options, we selected a FashionTech startup in Florence—at the intersection of fashion and technology, aligned with the client's interests and qualifying as innovative. The client's interest and program requirements aligned perfectly.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    We verified the project before investment. Before deploying 250,000 euros, we conducted due diligence on the startup: its registry status, innovative components, and overall reliability. A live project should not become a blind risk, and we completed this verification before the capital transfer.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    We executed the investment under an "approval-then-investment" model. We secured the Investor Visa pathway: obtained approval first, then deployed the investment into the startup. Capital flowed into a growing project while simultaneously establishing the basis for residence status.

Takeaway. Conclusion: the innovative startup pathway is the only investment residence permit option for Italy with a live investment at a low entry threshold. The project must qualify as innovative and be verified before capital deployment.

How we managed the case

How we managed the case

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    Stage 1

    We clarified the client's dual objective. First, we established that the client needed not only a residence status but also a meaningful investment in a project aligned with his interests. This immediately pointed toward the innovative startup pathway rather than passive options such as bonds.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

    We narrowed the selection to innovative startups in the registry. We identified projects registered in the specialized innovative startup registry that genuinely meet program criteria, filtering out anything merely called a startup but not meeting the actual requirements.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    We found a FashionTech project in Florence. Among suitable options, we selected a FashionTech startup in Florence—at the intersection of fashion and technology, aligned with the client's interests and qualifying as innovative. The client's interest and program requirements aligned perfectly.

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    We verified the project before investment. Before deploying 250,000 euros, we conducted due diligence on the startup: its registry status, innovative components, and overall reliability. A live project should not become a blind risk, and we completed this verification before the capital transfer.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

    We executed the investment under an "approval-then-investment" model. We secured the Investor Visa pathway: obtained approval first, then deployed the investment into the startup. Capital flowed into a growing project while simultaneously establishing the basis for residence status.

  6. 06

    Stage 6

    We completed the residence permit issuance. The client received an Italian residence permit and an equity stake in the FashionTech startup. The program required neither language proficiency nor permanent residence, and the investment proved to be not "dead capital" but a live and engaging holding.

Expert comment

I particularly appreciate clients who do not want to invest money "simply to obtain status." This client was exactly that type: he needed both an Italian residence permit and an investment worthy of genuine commitment. The innovative startup pathway is ideal for such individuals: the lowest entry threshold and the only option where capital flows into a live, growing business rather than bonds. Florence played a beautiful role here—both a fashion capital and a growth hub for FashionTech. We identified a project at the intersection of fashion and technology that aligned with the client's interests and qualified as innovative. However, I never allow thematic appeal to overshadow due diligence: before deploying funds, we verified that the startup was registered and reliable. As a result, the client obtained both status and an equity stake in a project he finds genuinely interesting to follow. Investment-linked residence permits can be meaningful—one simply needs to choose correctly.

Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGESAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we executed · Result
Meaningful investment
Pathway through innovative startup · Live project, not bonds
Suitable project
Registry-based selection + verification · FashionTech in Florence
Deploy investment
"Approval-then-investment" model · Investment of 250,000 €
Obtain residence status
Application under the program · Italian residence permit
Obtain residence status
Application under the program · Italian residence permit

The situation: the client wanted an Italian residence permit and a meaningful investment in a closely aligned project rather than passive capital storage. What we did: clarified the dual objective; narrowed selection to innovative startups in the registry; identified a FashionTech project in Florence; verified it before investment; executed the investment; completed residence permit issuance. What the client received: an Italian residence permit and an equity stake in a growing FashionTech startup.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: the innovative startup pathway is the only investment residence permit option for Italy with a live investment at a low entry threshold. The project must qualify as innovative and be verified before capital deployment.
  • The client obtained both status and an interesting project because we aligned his interests with program requirements and verified the startup before funds were committed.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can one obtain an Italian residence permit through a startup?

Yes. The innovative startup pathway involves investment of 250,000 euros minimum in a project from the specialized registry. This is the lowest entry threshold and the only option featuring investment in a live, growing business.

02Which startup qualifies under the program?

Registered in the innovation startup registry and genuinely qualifying as innovative according to established criteria. It is insufficient for a project to merely be called a startup.

03Should a startup be verified before investment?

Absolutely. Before investment, the project's registry status, innovative component, and reliability are verified—to ensure a real investment does not become blind risk.

04Does Italy's Investment Residence Permit require physical residency?

No, the program does not require mandatory minimum residency and does not impose a language test requirement. This is convenient for investors conducting business across multiple jurisdictions.

05What does the investor receive besides visa status?

An equity stake in the project into which capital is invested. When selecting a startup, this represents active participation in a growing business rather than a passive asset, as with bonds.

06Do you want Italian residence status with an investment worth backing?

We will identify an innovative startup from the registry matching your interests, conduct due diligence before investment, and arrange your Investment Residence Permit—combining your visa status with an equity stake in an active, growing project.

About the author

Anna Kovalevskaya

Author: Anna Kovalevskaya

Head of Legal, BRIDGES

I have worked with citizenship and residency matters in European countries for 12 years. Programme requirements and application practices change, so I assess each matter against the current rules, the applicant's immigration history, family composition and the documents supporting the legal basis for the application.

I lead matters from the preliminary assessment through to the grant of status. In complex situations, I identify the circumstances that may affect the review, establish the legal logic of the application and oversee the consistency of the supporting documents at every stage.

During the consultation, you will receive an assessment of the available legal grounds, a clear understanding of the chosen route and a list of issues that should be resolved before filing. Once the engagement begins, I oversee the application and the key decisions of the BRIDGES team.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.