It is called YES!, an incubation programme aimed at people with disabilities who wish to test a business idea in a serious, structured and supported manner, which has been developed by LADI, the Free Association of Disabled Entrepreneurs.
The project was launched with a specific aim: to offer aspiring entrepreneurs a space in which to develop their ideas in a structured way, through discussion and with practical tools tailored to their needs. It is an experience designed to help people better understand a real need, test a potential solution, clarify their positioning, and make more informed decisions about their professional future.
The incubation programme runs for six months and includes themed workshops led by entrepreneurs and visionaries from across the country, one-to-one mentoring, opportunities for discussion, and a final demo day to present ideas – all on a completely equity-free basis. During the programme, participants will work on defining the problem, developing their value proposition, testing their ideas with potential customers or users, ensuring financial sustainability, and mapping out the next steps.
The approach adopted by LADI is unique; indeed, the end result does not necessarily involve the immediate establishment of a business. In some cases, the work carried out may lead to the launch of a business; in others, to a subsequent stage of development; and in others still, to a conscious redefinition of the direction to take. In any case, the programme aims to equip participants with strong skills, greater autonomy and useful tools that will serve them well even beyond the scope of the individual project.
“YES! is exactly what the market was missing, and with this incubator we want to change the Italian entrepreneurial paradigm: people with disabilities should not be seen as passive recipients of opportunities devised by others, but as active participants in pathways of personal growth, employment and business. Entrepreneurship, if approached with the right methods, approaches and tools, can become a real space for self-determination, innovation and building the future,” says Alessandro Cataldo, president of Libera associazione disabili imprenditori APS
The programme is aimed at people with disabilities, regardless of their specific condition, who wish to develop a business idea, either individually or as part of a team. It is designed for those starting out with just a rough idea, but also for those who have already taken their first steps and feel the need to bring more structure, stability and direction to their project.
Alongside the activities reserved for selected participants, YES! by LADI also includes a number of events open to the wider community and the public, designed to provide opportunities for in-depth discussion and public engagement on the themes of work, innovation and inclusive entrepreneurial culture.
Applications for YES! open on 10 June and close on 16 August 2026. Full details of the programme and how to apply are available on this page.
“With this launch, LADI is reinforcing its commitment to promoting initiatives where accessibility and innovation go hand in hand, placing the focus on work, self-determination and tangible opportunities for professional development,” adds Davide Rizzo, vice-president of the Libera Association of Disabled Entrepreneurs (APS)
YES! is supported by InnovUp, an association of Italian start-ups, as a project sponsor, and by Startupbusiness as a media partner. (Photo by Adhitya Sibikumar on Unsplash)
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