Best Angel Investor Networks in Austria (2026)
Updated: | Found helpful by 14 others
Hans(wo)men Group, the investment arm of Hansi Hansmann's family office, typically leads pre-seed rounds in tech startups across Europe. The Austrian Angel Investors Association (AAIA) remains the national body, now part of invest.austria with over 350 members. Vienna's primeCROWD, now Gateway Ventures, pools investors from €10,000 into DACH rounds, and CONDA lets the public invest from €250. aws i2 Business Angels matches 400+ investors with startups based in Austria. Most Austrian angels co-invest alongside the aws Gründungsfonds and early-stage VCs.
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Sorting changes the order of the provider cards below.
Our overall pick below is Hans(wo)men Group.
1. Hans(wo)men Group
Pre-seed Lead. Austria's best-known angel, investing since 2003, typically leads pre-seed rounds and takes pitches through a simple online form.
The investment vehicle of Hansi Hansmann's Vienna family office, which still trades as Hans(wo)men Group. It backs scalable, technology-driven startups across Europe and typically takes the lead at pre-seed; it does not publish a ticket size.
Pros
- Typically leads pre-seed rounds
- Deep operator base among members
- Coordinated due diligence and deal leadership
- Hands-on support beyond the cheque
Cons
- No published ticket size
- Smaller overall fund capacity than broader networks
- Selective membership and application bar
2. Austrian Angel Investors Association (AAIA)
National Network. Austria's largest accredited angel network with curated pitch events, online deal rooms, and strong policy advocacy at the federal level.
Austria's national angel investor association, founded in 2013. AAIA, now part of invest.austria with over 350 members, connects angel investors with pre-seed and seed startups through curated pitch events, online deal rooms, and targeted introductions, and advocates for founder-friendly policy at the federal level.
Pros
- Austria's largest accredited angel network
- Curated pitch events and online deal rooms
- Strong policy advocacy and industry data
- Clear path from member introduction to cheque
Cons
- Formal membership and accreditation process
- Primarily Vienna-focused despite national mandate
- Quality of individual cheques varies across members
3. primeCROWD
Best Digital Platform. Streamlined SPV structure for founders with large retail and accredited investor base and digital workflow that reduces fundraising friction.
Vienna-based investor platform that now operates as Gateway Ventures. It pools private investors from €10,000 into seed to Series A rounds of €300,000 to €1 million for startups seated in the DACH region, in digital economy, health and sustainability.
Pros
- Streamlined SPV structure for founders
- Large retail and accredited investor base
- Digital workflow reduces fundraising friction
- Strong compliance with Austrian Alternative Financing Act
Cons
- Platform fees apply to both founders and investors
- SPV reporting obligations post-close
- Less hands-on strategic support than human angel networks
4. startup300
Historic Linz anchor of Austrian angel investing, now winding down: listed for context, not as an active source of capital.
Linz-founded angel and ecosystem company whose shares last traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange in March 2022. Since 2026 it only manages its existing portfolio of 14 stakes and is divesting, so it no longer takes new startups (startup300, April 2026).
Pros
- Published NAV reports on its remaining portfolio
- Portfolio spans angel investing, accelerators, and services
- Strong Linz and Upper Austria anchor
- Access to operator and corporate network
Cons
- Complex parent structure can slow decision making
- Smaller individual cheques than dedicated angel networks
- Public-company constraints influence deal selection
5. CONDA
Best Crowdfunding. Regulated crowdinvesting under the EU crowdfunding regulation with retail investor access from €250 and raises of up to €5 million a year.
Austria's leading equity crowdfunding platform, founded in Vienna in 2013 and now active across multiple EU markets. CONDA lets retail and accredited investors participate in Austrian startup rounds under the Austrian Alternative Financing Act.
Pros
- Regulated equity crowdfunding under Austrian law
- Retail investor access from €250 upwards
- Pan-European mandate with EU crowdfunding passporting
- Strong marketing and community reach
Cons
- Platform fees and marketing costs for founders
- Cap table complexity via nominee or SPV structures
- Suited mainly to consumer or community-driven businesses
6. aws i2 Business Angels
Largest AT Angel Pool. Largest neutral angel pool in Austria with 400+ investors, free for founders, and structured matching with NDA-backed double-blind workflow.
Austria's largest neutral business-angel matching platform, operated by Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws). aws i2 connects more than 400 angel investors with vetted startups via structured matching, pitch days, and double-blind workflows.
Pros
- Largest neutral angel pool in AT (400+ investors)
- Free for founders, run by federal aws agency
- Structured matching with NDA-backed double-blind workflow
- National coverage across all Bundesländer
Cons
- Slower workflow than online-first networks
- Less curated than themed angel groups like Hans(wo)men
- No fund capital, only individual angel introductions
7. Next Play
Exit and M&A advisory run by former Uniqa Ventures partners, useful once angel-backed founders prepare a sale.
Next Play describes itself as an M&A boutique and investment banking advisory: it partners with founders and venture funds to run sale processes and unlock liquidity before exit. It publishes no angel, syndicate or seed investment programme.
Pros
- Runs competitive sale processes
- Partners from Uniqa Ventures
- Works with founders and venture funds
Cons
- Does not invest in startups
- Only relevant at exit stage
Ranked by deal activity, member base, founder-friendliness, and ecosystem reach, here are the top 7 Austrian angel investor networks in 2026.
How Do Austria's Angel Networks Compare at a Glance?
| Network | Base | Type | Stage | Sector focus | Typical ticket | Company registered in Austria? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hans(wo)men Group | Vienna | Hansi Hansmann's family office | Pre-seed, usually as lead | Generalist tech | Not published | No; invests across Europe |
| invest.austria (incl. AAIA) | Vienna | National investor association, 350+ members | Angel, VC and private equity deals | Not stated | Not published; angel membership €890 a year | No rule stated; startups, scale-ups, spin-offs and SMEs can use the free deal-flow form |
| primeCROWD (now Gateway Ventures) | Vienna | Investor pooling platform | Seed to Series A | Digital economy, health, sustainability | Rounds €300,000 to €1 million; investors from €10,000 | No; seat anywhere in DACH |
| startup300 | Linz | Former listed investor, now divesting | No new investments | None | None | Not taking applications |
| CONDA | Vienna | Crowdinvesting platform (EU crowdfunding regulation) | Established SMEs, ideally third business year or later | Generalist | Investors from €250; raises up to €5 million a year | No; GmbH or AG registered in the EU, no pre-incorporation |
| aws i2 Business Angels | National (aws) | Public matching platform, 400+ investors | On the market, ideally first paying customers | All sectors | Rounds €100,000 to €1 million; investors from €50,000 | Yes, seat or premises in Austria; may still be in founding |
| Next Play | Not stated | M&A and exit advisory boutique | Exit stage | None | Does not invest | Not applicable |
| European Super Angels Club | Vienna | Members-only club (KPMG Austria and Venionaire partners) | Traction in home market | AI, cybersecurity, digital health, fintech, sportstech, mobility | Raises €1 million to 10 million | No rule stated |
| Danube Angels | Vienna | Crowd-investing network | Growth companies | Not stated | Investors from €1,000 | No rule stated |
| Female Investors Network (FIN) | DACH (events in Munich, Hannover) | Women investor community, pooled via Gateway Ventures | Not stated | No fixed sector | Investors from €5,000 | No rule stated; not limited to female-led teams |
Sources: each network's own website, application page or FAQ (hansmann.fo, invest-austria.com, gateway.ventures, startup300.at, conda-capital.com, aws.at, startnextplay.com, superangels.club, danubeangels.com, female-investors.network), checked 21 October 2026.
Only aws i2 Business Angels requires a seat or premises in Austria, and it still accepts companies in the founding stage. Gateway Ventures (formerly primeCROWD) takes startups from anywhere in DACH, CONDA needs a GmbH or AG registered in the EU, and Hans(wo)men Group invests across Europe. Investor minimums run from €250 on CONDA to €50,000 on aws i2, and European Super Angels Club rounds reach €10 million.
How Do Austrian Angel Networks Work?
Austrian angel networks combine curated deal flow, pitch events, and legal infrastructure for pooled investments. Here is the practical mechanic:
- 1
Founder applies via the network
Founders apply through the network's online form or via a member referral. AAIA, primeCROWD, and Hans(wo)men all publish application calls.
- 2
Network curates pitch events
Selected startups pitch to the member angel base at physical or online events. primeCROWD runs rolling digital deal rooms, while AAIA and Hans(wo)men host quarterly pitch days.
- 3
Angels express interest individually
Each angel decides independently whether to participate. Lead angels sometimes coordinate term sheets and due diligence for the rest of the group.
- 4
Pooled investment via SPV or cap table
Investments either go directly onto the cap table or through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) that aggregates multiple angels into a single line. CONDA and primeCROWD use SPV or trustee structures by default.
- 5
Follow-on co-investment with aws and VCs
Most Austrian pre-seed and seed rounds stack angels alongside aws Gründungsfonds and a lead VC. See our public venture funds guide.
What Ticket Sizes Do Austrian Angels Write?
Austrian angel tickets cluster around smaller European norms compared to the US or UK. Here is the landscape:
- Individual angel ticket: €10,000 to €50,000 is the typical range. Lead angels with operator backgrounds sometimes write €100,000+.
- Syndicate ticket: €100,000 to €500,000 when multiple angels pool through AAIA, primeCROWD, or Hans(wo)men.
- Crowdinvesting round: six-figure sums up to €5 million a year on CONDA, from investors putting in €250 or more.
- Pooled angel round: €300,000 to €1 million on Gateway Ventures (formerly primeCROWD), with investors from €10,000.
Most Austrian seed rounds stack multiple angel groups
Who Are Austria's Most Notable Angel Investors?
Austria's angel scene is anchored by a small group of high-profile operators. Hansi Hansmann is the most active, backing 40+ startups since 2003. Michael Altrichter, Berthold Baurek-Karlic, and Lukas Puspok have each been named Business Angel of the Year. Many co-invest through the Hansmen Group, European Super Angels Club, and Founders of Europe (European Super Angels Club, 2025).
- Hansi Hansmann: Austria's most prolific angel, active since 2003 with 40+ investments including Runtastic and Shpock. Named Business Angel of the Year five times (2010 to 2014) and given a lifetime-achievement award in 2023. Anchors the Hansmen Group syndicate (European Super Angels Club, 2025).
- Michael Altrichter: payments-industry veteran (paysafecard background), co-founder of startup300, and former Austrian government startup envoy. Named Business Angel of the Year 2015 (SeedBlink, 2025).
- Berthold Baurek-Karlic: founder of Venionaire Capital and president of the European Super Angels Club. Named Business Angel of the Year Austria 2023 (Venionaire, 2023).
- Lukas Puspok: recognised as Austrian Business Angel of the Year by the European Super Angels Club, active in energy and deep-tech deals (European Super Angels Club, 2025).
- Founders of Europe (FOE): an operator-led network whose members include Benjamin Ruschin, Tom Urbanek, Larissa Kravitz, and Peter Steinberger, focused on early-stage B2B, SaaS, and DeepTech (SeedBlink, 2025).
Other networks worth knowing
- European Super Angels Club (ESAC): a Vienna members-only club founded by partners of KPMG Austria and Venionaire Capital, raising €1 million to 10 million for startups with traction in their home market, in AI, cybersecurity, digital health, fintech, sportstech and mobility (ESAC, October 2026).
- Danube Angels: a Vienna crowd-investing network for growth companies, with a €1,000 minimum ticket (Danube Angels, October 2026).
- Female Investors Network (FIN): a community founded in early 2020 that turns women into angel investors, pooling tickets from €5,000 through Gateway Ventures; FIN itself does not invest and is not limited to female-led teams (FIN, October 2026).
- ROI Ventures: a Vienna angel group writing up to €100,000 into pre-seed and seed B2B startups in SaaS, deep tech, and fintech (SeedBlink, 2025).
invest.austria is the national front door
How Do You Join an Austrian Angel Syndicate?
Both founders seeking cheques and investors looking to deploy capital can access Austrian angel syndicates. Here is the practical path from each side:
- Founder path: Apply to AAIA's pitch nights, submit to primeCROWD's digital deal room, or secure a warm introduction through an accelerator or VC partner.
- Investor path: AAIA membership requires accredited investor status and a modest annual fee. primeCROWD and CONDA accept retail investors subject to Austrian Alternative Financing Act caps.
- Operator angels: Many Austrian angel cheques come from former founders and senior operators, such as the Hans(wo)men Group around Hansi Hansmann. Network entry is usually through introductions.
- Regional networks: Business Angel Network (AVS) and state-level startup hubs provide access to angels outside Vienna, particularly in Styria, Upper Austria, and Tyrol.
What Austrian Angels Look For
- Clear problem and founder-market fit: Most angels are operators, so they weigh founder domain depth heavily.
- Early traction signals: Paid pilots, ranked waitlists, or early revenue significantly increase angel conversion.
- Reasonable valuation: Austrian angel rounds typically close between €2 million and €6 million post-money at pre-seed.
- aws Gründungsfonds compatibility: Rounds structured to allow aws co-investment close faster. See our public venture funds guide.
Entity References
Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average angel ticket in Austria?
Individual Austrian angels typically write tickets between €10,000 and €50,000, while syndicated rounds on platforms like primeCROWD and AAIA can aggregate between €100,000 and €500,000 from multiple angels. Lead angels with operator backgrounds sometimes write €100,000+ cheques. Round composition usually combines 5 to 20 angels alongside one aws Gründungsfonds or regional public co-investor.
What is AAIA?
The Austrian Angel Investors Association (AAIA) is Austria's national angel association, founded in 2013 and now part of invest.austria, which has over 350 members across business angels, VCs and private equity. It connects angels with pre-seed and seed-stage startups through curated pitch events, online deal rooms, and targeted introductions. AAIA also advocates for investor-friendly tax and regulatory policy in Austria and publishes market data on angel investment activity across the country.
Is equity crowdfunding legal in Austria?
Yes. Austria passed the Alternative Financing Act (AltFG) in 2015, establishing a clear legal framework for equity crowdfunding. Licensed platforms like CONDA can raise up to €5 million per company per year from retail investors across the EU under the EU crowdfunding regulation (ECSP). Individual investor caps apply below certain thresholds, after which suitability assessments are required.
Are angel investments tax-deductible?
Austria does not currently offer a headline tax break for angel investments comparable to the UK's SEIS or EIS. Investors may offset realised losses against capital gains, and Austrian capital gains tax sits at 27.5% on most equity disposals. There is ongoing policy discussion about introducing a targeted tax incentive for angel investment, but as of April 2026 no broad-based scheme is active. Consult a local tax advisor for edge cases.
How do you find Austrian angels?
Start with the Austrian Angel Investors Association (AAIA), now part of invest.austria, as the national entry point. From there, submit to the deal-flow forms of invest.austria, aws i2 Business Angels and Gateway Ventures (formerly primeCROWD), pitch to Hans(wo)men Group, and use regional networks like Business Angel Network (AVS) and Startup Styria. Warm introductions through Austrian accelerators (INiTS, Tech2b, Startup Tirol) and ecosystem events like Pioneers or Austrian Startup Summit materially improve response rates.
Who is the most active angel investor in Austria?
Hansi Hansmann is widely regarded as Austria's most active angel investor. Active since 2003, he has backed more than 40 startups including Runtastic and Shpock, and was named Business Angel of the Year five times between 2010 and 2014, with a lifetime-achievement recognition in 2023. He anchors the Hansmen Group syndicate. Other prominent names include Michael Altrichter (Business Angel of the Year 2015, startup300 co-founder) and Berthold Baurek-Karlic of Venionaire Capital (European Super Angels Club, 2025).
Do Austrian angel networks invest in companies registered outside Austria?
It depends on the network. aws i2 Business Angels requires a seat or premises in Austria but accepts companies still being founded. Gateway Ventures (formerly primeCROWD) takes startups seated anywhere in DACH. CONDA requires a GmbH or AG registered in the EU. Hans(wo)men Group invests across Europe, and invest.austria's deal-flow form names no country rule (network sites, October 2026).
What is aws i2 Business Angels?
aws i2 Business Angels is Austria's neutral national angel-matching platform, operated by Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws). It connects startups with over 400 investors, including angels, seed funds, strategic investors, and family offices, for capital needs between €100,000 and €1 million; each investor commits at least €50,000 per startup. The company needs its seat or premises in Austria, can still be in the founding stage, and takes part free of charge. The platform screens up to 700 projects a year and enables up to 20 investments (aws, October 2026).
Official Sources
Related Guides
Venture Capital Firms
Speedinvest, 3VC and the private VCs that follow angel rounds
Public Venture Funds
aws Gründungsfonds and regional co-investors for angel-led rounds
Accelerators & Incubators
INiTS, Tech2b and other programmes that feed angel networks
Freelance & Self-Employment Visa
Founder visa routes pairing with Austrian angel funding