Startups, Grants, and the Journey Home

From rural Italy to international markets via public funding: Nicolas and Ruralis tell the story of an Italy that refuses to give up.

After spending years abroad, returning to Italy to build a business in small towns is more than a professional choice — it’s an act of faith. And, as often happens, every time I read about someone trying to do it, I feel a mix of empathy, envy, and constructive skepticism. That’s exactly what happened when I came across Ruralis, the Irpinian startup tha…