Ticino startups in schools: cross-border opportunities (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• 500 startups developed by Lombard students thanks to an innovative project.
• 3,000 young people involved between high schools and ITS, with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
• Replicable model for cross-border workers: experiential training and collaboration with companies.
• Objective: to retain talent in the territory and reduce brain drain.

Key Facts

• What: Project My business, my future promoted by the Sodalitas Foundation, which generated over 500 business ideas from Lombardy students.
• When: Edition ended in 2026 (fifth edition).
• Where: Provinces of Varese, Milan, Monza, Sondrio, Genoa and Turin, with activities at the Ville Ponti in Varese.
• Who: Sodalitas Foundation, Varese Chamber of Commerce, ITS (Higher Technical Institutes), high schools and volunteer managers (e.g. Brianza Solidale, VSP).
• Amount: No specific financial data in the source, but involvement of 3,000 students and 100+ seminars.
• Method: Learning by doing with concrete project work and business plans.
• Focus: Sustainability, social innovation and green/digital transition.

The fifth edition of the project My business, my future, promoted by the Sodalitas Foundation, has transformed thousands of Lombard students into aspiring entrepreneurs. The initiative, which ended in Varese, involved about 3,000 students from 28 high schools and, for the first time, from 4 ITS in the provinces of Varese, Milan, Monza, Sondrio, Genoa and Turin. The result? Over 500 business ideas focused on sustainability and social innovation, the result of a path that has united school desks and the corporate world.

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Operational details

How the Lombardy model can inspire us in Ticino

The My Business, My Future project shows that experiential training not only stimulates creativity, but also builds a bridge between school and the world of work. For cross‑border workers who live in Italy but work in Ticino, this model offers interesting ideas on how to update skills, start entrepreneurial activities or simply better understand the Swiss market.

1. Continuous training for cross‑border workers: opportunities and limits

In Ticino, continuous training is governed by specific regulations, especially for those holding a B permit (residence) or a G permit (cross‑border worker). While in Lombardy the project mainly targets students, in Ticino it could also interest adult employees who wish to retrain or launch a small business.

Limits to consider:

• Work permit: A cross‑border worker with a G permit can undertake entrepreneurial activities only if they are compatible with the main contract. For more demanding activities, a B permit may be required.
• Taxation: Income from entrepreneurial activities in Switzerland is subject to withholding tax and AVS/LPP contributions. If the activity is carried out in Italy, Italian tax rules apply, with possible double taxation to be managed through the 1976 Italy‑Switzerland Convention.
• Time: Many cross‑border workers are full‑time employees in Switzerland. Attending courses or workshops requires careful planning, possibly using remote work or vacation periods.

2. Sustainability and innovation: key sectors for cross‑border workers

The 500 entrepreneurial ideas born in Lombardy focus on sustainability and social innovation, sectors that are also growing strongly in Ticino. Here are some concrete opportunities for cross‑border workers:

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Key points

What to do concretely: step-by-step guidance for cross-border commuters If the Lombard project has inspired you and you want to explore similar opportunities in Ticino, here is a practical guide to take action, step by step.

Step 1: Assess the compatibility of your work permit

The first step is to check if your current permit allows you to carry out entrepreneurial activities. Here is a summary:

| Permit | Allowed Activities | Necessary actions | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | G Permit | Only secondary activities, not affecting the main job | Check with the Canton of Ticino or the employer. If necessary, apply for a B permit. | Permit B | Full-time entrepreneurial activities | Register with the Ticino Chamber of Commerce and open a Swiss VAT number (if necessary).

Where to contact: - Cantonal Labour Office (Canton of Ticino): ti.ch/lavoro - Ticino Chamber of Commerce: ti.ch/commercio

Step 2: Assess the training needed If your business idea requires specific skills, consider these pathways:

1. SUPSI Courses: The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland offers continuing education on topics such as sustainability, innovation and business management. Some courses are also aimed at cross-border commuters. - Example: Course on Energy efficiency for buildings (check availability). - Link: supsi.ch/continua

2. Chamber of Commerce workshops: The Ticino Chamber of Commerce often organizes events on self-entrepreneurship and startup financing. - Example: Workshop How to start a startup in Ticino. - Link: ti.ch/eventi-imprenditoriali

3. Online training: Platforms such as edX or Coursera offer courses on business planning and sustainability, which can also be accessed from home.

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