# Best Angel Investor Networks in Austria (2026) > Top 7 angel investor networks in Austria for 2026: AAIA, primeCROWD, Hans(wo)men Group and CONDA compared on ticket size, sectors and how to pitch. Updated: July 16 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/startups/angels **Hans(wo)men Group** is Austria's best inclusive angel syndicate, a Vienna-based female-led network backing underrepresented founders. The **Austrian Angel Investors Association (AAIA)** remains the national body with over **250 accredited angels**. Vienna's **primeCROWD** runs the largest digital syndicate platform, while Linz-based **startup300** and equity crowdfunding platform **CONDA** round out the core list. Traditional network **AVS** and hybrid micro-VC **Next Play** fill regional gaps. Most Austrian angels co-invest alongside the [aws Gründungsfonds](https://www.gruenderfonds.at) and early-stage VCs. Rank byOur overall pick below is Hans, from 1. Hans(wo)men Group. ### 1. Hans(wo)men Group 5.0Best Inclusive Syndicate. Strong focus on underrepresented founders with deep operator base, coordinated due diligence, and hands-on support beyond the cheque. Best forFemale-led and diverse founder teams raising pre-seed or seed in Austria[Visit Hans(wo)men Group](https://www.hansmengroup.com)Vienna-based inclusive angel syndicate led by female and allied investors. Hans(wo)men focuses on underrepresented founders, especially female-led teams, and typically writes €100,000 to €300,000 cheques in curated seed rounds across Austria. Pros - Strong focus on underrepresented founders - Deep operator base among members - Coordinated due diligence and deal leadership - Hands-on support beyond the cheque Cons - Narrower thematic focus reduces deal volume - Smaller overall fund capacity than broader networks - Selective membership and application bar ### 2. Austrian Angel Investors Association (AAIA) 4.7National Network. Austria's largest accredited angel network with curated pitch events, online deal rooms, and strong policy advocacy at the federal level. Best forFounders raising pre-seed rounds and accredited investors building diversified angel portfolios[Visit AAIA](https://www.invest-austria.com/en)Austria's national angel investor association, founded in 2013. AAIA connects over 250 accredited 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 4.5Best Digital Platform. Streamlined SPV structure for founders with large retail and accredited investor base and digital workflow that reduces fundraising friction. Best forFounders wanting a single aggregated angel cheque and retail investors with smaller allocations[Visit primeCROWD](https://www.primecrowd.com)Vienna-based equity crowdfunding and angel platform. primeCROWD runs rolling digital deal rooms where accredited and retail investors can back Austrian startups via SPV structures. One of the most active digital angel platforms in the DACH region. 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 4.3Publicly listed transparency with portfolio spanning angel investing, accelerators, and services plus strong Linz and Upper Austria anchor. Best forFounders seeking angel capital combined with ecosystem and accelerator support[Visit startup300](https://www.startup300.at)Linz-founded public angel and ecosystem company, listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange. startup300 combines angel investing, accelerator operations, and ecosystem services, with an extensive portfolio across the DACH region. Pros - Publicly listed transparency and reporting - 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 4.1Best Crowdfunding. Regulated equity crowdfunding under Austrian law with retail investor access from €100 and pan-European mandate via EU crowdfunding passporting. Best forRetail investors with smaller allocations and founders raising product-backed rounds[Visit CONDA](https://www.conda.eu)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 **€100** 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 4.0Largest AT Angel Pool. Largest neutral angel pool in Austria with 420+ investors, free for founders, and structured matching with NDA-backed double-blind workflow. Best forFounders looking for an official, neutral matching platform with the largest verified angel pool in Austria[Visit aws i2 Business Angels](https://www.aws.at/en/aws-i2-business-angels-1/)Austria's largest neutral business-angel matching platform, operated by Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws). aws i2 connects more than 420 vetted angel investors with vetted startups via structured matching, pitch days, and double-blind workflows. Pros - Largest neutral angel pool in AT (420+ 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 3.8Hybrid fund and angel syndicate structure with operator-led member base and flexible round structures for bridges and extensions. Best forFounders raising bridge or pre-seed rounds between €200K and €1M[Visit Next Play](https://pitchbook.com/profiles/advisor/897139-54)Vienna-based syndicate-style micro-VC combining angel-style investing with a small committed fund. Next Play aggregates operator cheques into coordinated seed rounds, filling the gap between pure angel groups and traditional VCs. Pros - Hybrid fund and angel syndicate structure - Operator-led member base - Flexible round structures for bridges and extensions - Complements aws Gründungsfonds co-investment Cons - Smaller average cheque than traditional seed VCs - Syndicate coordination can add timeline friction - Less sector specialisation than themed angel groups 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 | Ticket size | Notable | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **invest.austria** (incl. AAIA) | Vienna | National investor association | From **€50,000** | **350+** members | | **aws i2 Business Angels** | National | Public matching platform | **€100k** to **1m** | ~**430** investors, est. 1997 | | **primeCROWD** | Vienna | Digital syndicate (SPV) | Aggregated | Rolling DACH deal rooms | | **European Super Angels Club** | Vienna | Members-only super-angel | **€1m** to **15m** | Est. 2017, HNWIs and family offices | | **Hansmen Group** | Vienna | Operator-led syndicate | **€100k+** | Led by Hansi Hansmann | | **Danube Angels** | Vienna | Crowd-investing / angel | From **€1,000** | Est. 2017, DACH and CEE | | **startup300** | Linz | Listed angel / ecosystem | Varies | Vienna Stock Exchange listed | | **CONDA** | Vienna | Equity crowdfunding | From **€100** | Est. 2013, EU passporting | | **Female Investors Network** (FIN) | Vienna | Women-led angel community | From **€10,000** | Female and diverse focus | Sources: invest.austria (2026), Wiener Borse (2026), aws (2026), SeedBlink (2025). Ticket ranges are indicative; confirm current terms with each network. Austria's angel landscape runs on one national body, **invest.austria** (which absorbed the **AAIA**), the neutral public matcher **aws i2 Business Angels**, digital syndicates like **primeCROWD** and **CONDA**, and members-only clubs such as the **European Super Angels Club**. Tickets span **€1,000** in crowd deals to **€15 million** in super-angel rounds (invest.austria, 2026; SeedBlink, 2025). ## 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: - 1Founder 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. - 2Network 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. - 3Angels 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. - 4Pooled 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. - 5Follow-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](/startups/public-funds). Illustration of a rocket, a growth chart, and a handshake, for the Austrian startup and venture capital ecosystem. ## 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. - **Equity crowdfunding round**: €250,000 to €2 million on CONDA, drawing on retail and accredited investors under the Austrian Alternative Financing Act. - **Next Play hybrid**: €200,000 to €1 million combining its own fund capital with syndicated angel cheques. ### Most Austrian seed rounds stack multiple angel groups A typical Austrian pre-seed round combines 5 to 15 individual angels (often AAIA-affiliated), a primeCROWD or Hans(wo)men SPV, and one aws Gründungsfonds cheque. This stacking reduces the pressure on any single cheque to be oversized.Illustration of a banking app, a coin stack, and a rising chart, for managing money and saving in Austria. ## 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 in 2017 by **KPMG Austria** and **Venionaire Capital**, deploying **€1 million to 15 million** from super-angels, HNWIs, and family offices (SeedBlink, 2025). - **Danube Angels**: a Vienna crowd-investing and angel network founded in 2017, with a **€1,000** minimum ticket, screening around 100 applications a month and presenting the top 1% across DACH and CEE (SeedBlink, 2025). - **Female Investors Network (FIN)**: a community turning women into angel investors, with tickets from around **€10,000** and a focus on female-led and gender-diverse teams, partnered with Gateway Ventures (SeedBlink, 2025). - **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 The **Austrian Angel Investors Association (AAIA)** is now part of **invest.austria**, the national network for pre-IPO investors with **350+** members and a **€50,000** minimum ticket. It runs investor academies, the invest.austria conference, and the Startup World Cup Austria heat (invest.austria, 2026). Start here, then branch to the themed networks above.Illustration of a rocket, a growth chart, and a handshake, for the Austrian startup and venture capital ecosystem. ## 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 affiliated with startup300, Next Play, and Hans(wo)men. 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](/startups/public-funds). Illustration of a rocket, a growth chart, and a handshake, for the Austrian startup and venture capital ecosystem. ## Entity References Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page: - [Hans(wo)men GroupAustrian Angel Networks](/facts/hanswomen-group) - [aws i2 Business AngelsAustrian Angel Networks](/facts/aws-i2-business-angels) - [AAIA (Austrian Angel Investors Association)Austrian Angel Networks](/facts/aaia-austrian-angel-investors-association) - [primeCROWDAustrian Angel Networks](/facts/primecrowd) - [startup300Austrian Angel Networks](/facts/startup300) - [CONDAAustrian Angel Networks](/facts/conda) ## Official Sources - [AAIA: Austrian Angel Investors Association](https://www.invest-austria.com/en) - [FMA: Austrian Financial Market Authority (Crowdfunding Rules)](https://www.fma.gv.at) - [aws (Austria Wirtschaftsservice): Gründungsfonds Co-Investor](https://www.aws.at) - [AustrianStartups: National Ecosystem Association](https://austrianstartups.com) ## Related Guides [### Venture Capital Firms Speedinvest, 3VC and the private VCs that follow angel rounds](/startups/vcs)[### Public Venture Funds aws Gründungsfonds and regional co-investors for angel-led rounds](/startups/public-funds)[### Accelerators & Incubators INiTS, Tech2b and other programmes that feed angel networks](/startups/accelerators)[### Freelance & Self-Employment Visa Founder visa routes pairing with Austrian angel funding](/visa/freelance-visa)> On this page Getting Started - [Top angelsStart hereTop picks ranked](#top-7-angels) - [At a glanceComparison table](#angels-at-a-glance) - [How networks workMechanics of pitch and SPV](#how-angels-work) - [How to joinFounder and investor paths](#join-syndicate) Investor Landscape - [Ticket sizesCheque size landscape](#ticket-sizes) - [Notable angelsNamed angels and networks](#notable-angels) Help - [Entity referencesQuick reference](#entity-references) - [Frequently asked questionsQuick answers](#faq) - [Official sourcesVerified references](#official-sources) - [Related guidesWhere to read next](#related-guides) ## 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. It connects more than 250 accredited angel investors 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 and primeCROWD can market investments up to €8 million per company per year to retail investors across the EU under EU crowdfunding passporting rules. 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, apply to pitch events run by primeCROWD, Hans(wo)men Group, startup300, Next Play, and 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). ### What is aws i2 Business Angels? aws i2 Business Angels is Austria's neutral national angel-matching platform, operated by Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) and established in 1997. It connects startups with around 430 vetted investors, including angels, seed funds, strategic investors, and family offices, for tickets between €100,000 and €1 million. The platform screens up to 700 projects a year and enables up to 20 investments; it recorded 9 closed deals worth €2.7 million in 2024 (aws, 2026; Wiener Borse, 2026). --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/startups/angels Last updated: Updated: July 16 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.