Best Austrian Government Business Support Agencies (2026)
Updated: | Found helpful by 13 others
The Austrian Business Agency (ABA) is the best federal contact point for foreign investors, offering free site selection, legal overviews, and relocation support. Wirtschaftsagentur Wien delivers free advisory and Vienna-specific funding, while Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) issues grants, guarantees, and soft loans. WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT Austria supports exporters, invest.austria connects founders with Austrian capital, and FFG funds R&D. Advice from ABA, Wirtschaftsagentur Wien, Standortagentur Tirol and most regional agencies is free, but aws charges fees on loan guarantees and invest.austria charges members €890 or €2,980 a year. Most programs are available in English, though some regional agencies work primarily in German. See our freelance visa guide if you plan to relocate to Austria as a founder.
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Our overall pick below is Austrian Business Agency.
1. Austrian Business Agency (ABA)
Best for Foreign Investors. Fully free federal service with English-first communication, site selection across all 9 federal states, and coordination with visa and tax authorities.
The federal agency promoting Austria to foreign companies and founders. ABA is the official first contact for foreign direct investment, relocation, and cross-border expansion into Austria, with English-first communication and coverage across all 9 federal states.
Pros
- Fully free federal service
- English-first communication
- Site selection across all 9 federal states
- Coordination with visa and tax authorities
Cons
- Less useful once you are already established in Austria
- Advisory is strategic rather than operational
- Does not issue permits or grants directly
2. Wirtschaftsagentur Wien
Best for Vienna. Fully free one-on-one advisory in English and German with active grant calls specific to Vienna and the Vienna Welcome Center for foreign talent.
The Vienna Business Agency, funded by the City of Vienna. Offers free advisory, city-level grants, and the Vienna Welcome Center for foreign specialists and founders landing in Austria's capital.
Pros
- Fully free one-on-one advisory in English and German
- Active grant calls specific to Vienna
- Vienna Welcome Center for foreign talent
- Central Mariahilfer Strasse location
Cons
- Services limited to Vienna-based activity
- Some grant calls open only a few weeks per year
- Less relevant outside the capital
3. Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws)
Federal Bank. Flagship aws PreSeed and Seedfinancing for startups with guarantees for bank loans up to €25 million and full English-language documentation.
Austria's federal promotional bank. aws provides grants, guarantees, soft loans, and equity instruments to Austrian businesses across the full startup lifecycle, from PreSeed to scale-up.
Pros
- Flagship aws PreSeed and Seedfinancing for startups
- Guarantees for bank loans of up to €25 million
- Strong portfolio management and alumni network
- Full English-language documentation
Cons
- Application cycles can take 3 to 6 months
- Austrian legal entity required
- Competitive selection, with measurable innovation bar
4. WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT Austria
Best for Exporters. About 100 offices in 70+ countries with subsidized trade missions for Austrian SMEs and automatic WKÖ membership for Austrian businesses.
The export promotion arm of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ). Runs about 100 offices in more than 70 countries supporting Austrian exporters with market research, trade missions, and partner matching.
Pros
- About 100 offices in 70+ countries
- Market research and local partner introductions
- Trade missions subsidized for Austrian SMEs
- WKÖ membership automatic for Austrian businesses
Cons
- Focused on established exporters more than pre-revenue startups
- Service quality varies by country office
- Requires Austrian trade license (Gewerbe) for some services
5. invest.austria
Central membership body of Austria's pre-IPO capital market with 350+ members across angels, VCs, and private equity, plus policy advocacy, events, and investor matchmaking.
Austria's leading pre-IPO investor network with 350+ members. invest.austria was formed in 2023 by merging aaia (Austrian Angel Investors Association) and AVCO (Austrian Private Equity & Venture Capital Organisation), and represents business angels, VCs, and private equity across the financing chain (invest.austria, 2026).
Pros
- 350+ members across angels, VCs, and private equity
- Formed in 2023 by merging aaia and AVCO
- Policy advocacy for the pre-IPO capital market
- Events, masterclasses, and investor matchmaking
Cons
- Membership association, not a hands-on service agency
- Less operational than aws or Wirtschaftsagentur Wien
- Primarily serves investors and members
6. FFG (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft)
Best R&D Grants. Basisprogramm covers up to 70 percent of R&D costs with combined grants and soft loans plus strong support for EU Horizon Europe applications.
The Austrian Research Promotion Agency. FFG funds applied research, industrial R&D, and innovation projects across all sectors, with the Basisprogramm as its flagship instrument for companies.
Pros
- Basisprogramm covers up to 70 percent of R&D costs
- Combines grants and soft loans
- Strong support for EU Horizon Europe applications
- English-language application possible
Cons
- Heavy documentation and reporting requirements
- Longer decision timelines (up to 4 months)
- Best suited to teams with technical depth
7. Standortagentur Tirol
Six Tyrolean clusters from life sciences to mechatronics, free settlement service, Innsbruck University coordination and warm introductions to Tyrolean corporates.
The location and innovation agency of the Tyrol region. Standortagentur Tirol supports companies relocating to or expanding in Tyrol, organised in six clusters: renewable energies, information technologies, creative industries, life sciences, mechatronics, and wellness.
Pros
- Six clusters incl. life sciences and mechatronics
- Coordinates with Innsbruck University
- Warm introductions to Tyrolean corporates
- Location and site selection service
Cons
- Support limited to Tyrol region
- Smaller English-language capacity than Vienna
- Less direct grant money than federal agencies
Based on service depth, accessibility for foreign founders, funding scale, and English-language coverage, here are the top 7 Austrian business support agencies in 2026.
How Do Austrian Business Agencies Help Founders?
| Agency | Cost to you | Who it serves | Sector focus | English? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABA (Invest in Austria) | Free, also confidential | Foreign companies expanding to Austria, founders | Life sciences, mobility, microelectronics, green tech, deep tech, advanced manufacturing | Yes, plus Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French |
| Wirtschaftsagentur Wien | Free for founders up to 5 years after founding | Vienna founders and companies, firms settling in Vienna | Topic calls (innovation, climate, digital, creative) | Yes, English site; advice in up to 17 languages |
| aws | No application fee stated; guarantees from 0.25% processing plus from 0.3% a year | Founders in their first 5 years, growing firms, innovation projects | No sector restriction stated | Yes, English site |
| WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT | Members: 8 hours per country and project free, then fees; surcharges for non-members | Austrian exporters and their partners abroad | No sector restriction stated | advantageaustria.org in English; wko.at in German |
| invest.austria | Membership €890 (angels) or €2,980 (funds, family offices, CVCs) a year; free deal-flow form for startups | Business angels, VC and PE funds, family offices, corporate ventures | Not stated | Mostly English site |
| FFG | Free advice days in spring and autumn; Forschungsbestätigung for the research premium is paid | Companies and research institutions doing R&D | Industry R&D incl. energy, mobility, life sciences, AI, space | Yes; some calls accept English only |
| Standortagentur Tirol | Free | Companies settling or expanding in Tyrol | Six clusters: renewable energies, IT, creative, life sciences, mechatronics, wellness | Yes, English pages |
Sources: agency websites (investinaustria.at, viennabusinessagency.at, aws.at, wko.at, invest-austria.com, ffg.at, standort-tirol.at), checked 21 October 2026.
Austrian business agencies combine advisory, funding access, and connections to research and export networks. First advice is free at ABA, Wirtschaftsagentur Wien, FFG and Standortagentur Tirol; fees apply to aws guarantees, invest.austria membership and WKÖ export work beyond eight free hours. Here is what each layer covers:
- 1
Federal promotional bank (aws)
Non-dilutive grants, guarantees on bank loans, and equity co-investment. aws PreSeed and aws Seedfinancing are the core startup instruments.
- 2
R&D funding (FFG)
The Austrian Research Promotion Agency funds applied research, prototyping, and industrial R&D. Its Basisprogramm is the most used instrument among tech startups.
- 3
Regional agencies (Wirtschaftsagentur Wien, RIZ, Standortagentur Tirol)
Each Austrian state runs its own agency with grants, coworking, and one-on-one advisory. Vienna's Wirtschaftsagentur Wien is the most active, followed by Lower Austria's RIZ.
- 4
Foreign direct investment (ABA)
ABA is the federal agency promoting Austria to foreign companies and founders. It provides site search, legal overviews, and warm introductions.
- 5
Export promotion (WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT)
The Chamber of Commerce runs about 100 offices in more than 70 countries, supporting Austrian exporters with market research, trade missions, and local partner matching.
Which Agency Should You Contact First?
The right agency depends on your stage, location, and goal. Here is a quick routing guide:
- Moving to Austria from abroad: Start with ABA for federal guidance, then Wirtschaftsagentur Wien if you are landing in Vienna.
- Pre-revenue startup in Vienna: Wirtschaftsagentur Wien for advice and local grants, aws for PreSeed funding.
- Research-heavy deep-tech: FFG Basisprogramm for R&D, plus aws for matching equity or loans.
- Planning to export: WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT Austria for market entry support in more than 70 countries.
- Based outside Vienna: Your state agency (for example Standortagentur Tirol or RIZ Niederösterreich) is usually the best first call.
Most agencies will route you for free
Which Regional Business Agency Covers Your Bundesland?
| Bundesland | Agency | What it offers | Cost | English? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | Wirtschaftsagentur Wien | Funding, consultations, site search, Life Science Center, Founders Lab | Free | Yes (viennabusinessagency.at) |
| Lower Austria | ecoplus; riz up; accent | ecoplus: investor service, site search, funding advice. riz up: business advice, seminars, founder centres. accent: high-tech incubator (AplusB) | ecoplus and riz up free; accent states no fee | accent yes; riz up German only |
| Styria | SFG | Funding finder, free Standortcoaching, Startupmark, iCONTACT investor network, Invest in Styria | Standortcoaching free | Yes |
| Upper Austria | Business Upper Austria; tech2b | tech2b (co-owned by Business Upper Austria): IDEATE, ACTIVATE, INCUBATE, grants of €5,000 and €10,000, OÖ Gründerfonds up to €150,000 | tech2b: no fee, no equity | tech2b mostly yes |
| Salzburg | Innovation Salzburg (ITG until February 2022) | Startup Salzburg: coaching, network, funding advice, investor access | Free for Salzburg companies | Yes |
| Tyrol | Standortagentur Tirol | Settlement service, Startup.Tirol, Business Angel Summit, six clusters | Free | Yes |
| Carinthia | KWF; BABEG | KWF: grants incl. Start.F&E&I, growth financing, funding advice. BABEG: site search, funding advice, contacts to authorities, equity holdings | Neither site states a fee | KWF German only; BABEG advises in 7 languages incl. English |
| Vorarlberg | WISTO | Startup support, innovation funding advice, patent advice, innovation networks | Free for Vorarlberg companies | Yes |
| Burgenland | Wirtschaftsagentur Burgenland | Funding desk, investor service, business parks; StartUp Burgenland: 1:1 coaching, €10,000 start funding, up to €400,000 equity | No fee stated | German only |
Sources: each agency's own website, checked 21 October 2026.
Every Bundesland runs its own agency, and most give founders free advice. Wirtschaftsagentur Wien, riz up, Innovation Salzburg, Standortagentur Tirol and WISTO state that their services are free. tech2b in Linz adds cash grants of €5,000 and €10,000 without taking equity, and StartUp Burgenland offers €10,000 in start funding. English-only founders do best in Vienna, Styria, Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg, whose agencies run English websites.
What Free Services Does Wirtschaftsagentur Wien Offer?
The Vienna Business Agency is the most active city-level agency in Austria. For founders based in Vienna, it bundles a wide range of free services:
- One-on-one founder advisory: Free 60 to 90 minute sessions covering legal form, taxes, funding, and location.
- Grant calls: Competitive calls for innovation, climate, digital, and creative projects, with typical funding of €10,000 to 200,000.
- Vienna Welcome Center: Concierge for foreign specialists and founders on visas, registration, and housing orientation.
- Location search: Help finding office space, labs, or production facilities in Vienna's 23 districts.
- Investor matchmaking: Warm intros to Austrian VCs and business angels. For a deeper list, see our Austrian VC guide.
Service Hours and Booking
- Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00: Standard advisory slots via the online booking form.
- English available: All core services are delivered in English and German.
- Location: Mariahilfer Strasse 20, 1070 Vienna (central 7th district, near U-Bahn Volkstheater).
Entity References
Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page:
- Austrian Business Agency (ABA)
Austrian Government Business Agencies
- Wirtschaftsagentur Wien
Austrian Government Business Agencies
- Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws)
Austrian Government Business Agencies
- WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT Austria
Austrian Government Business Agencies
- invest.austria
Austrian Government Business Agencies
- Standortagentur Tirol
Austrian Government Business Agencies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is aws?
Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) is Austria's federal promotional bank, owned by the Republic of Austria. It provides grants, soft loans, guarantees, and equity instruments to Austrian businesses at all stages. Flagship programs include aws PreSeed (up to €89,000 on the Innovative Solutions track or €267,000 on the Deep Tech track, before founding or up to 6 months after) and aws Seedfinancing (up to €356,000 or €889,000 respectively, for companies up to 5 years old), with higher caps under the gender bonus. aws is the first stop for non-dilutive startup funding in Austria.
Can foreign founders access aws grants?
Yes, aws grants are open to founders of any nationality, provided the company is registered in Austria and has its operations in the country. You typically need an Austrian GmbH, a bank account, and a tax number. Being on a Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders or holding an EU passport streamlines the process. Applications are assessed on innovation, scalability, and team capability.
What does Wirtschaftsagentur Wien offer?
Wirtschaftsagentur Wien (the Vienna Business Agency) offers free one-on-one advisory for founders in Vienna, including legal guidance, location search, and grant navigation. It runs city-funded grant calls under the Vienna Business Agency Funding Portal covering innovation, digital transformation, climate, and creative industries. It also operates the Vienna Welcome Center to help foreign founders and investors land in the city.
Do Austrian business agencies charge for support?
Most first advice is free. ABA, Wirtschaftsagentur Wien, Standortagentur Tirol, Innovation Salzburg and WISTO state that their services cost nothing. aws charges a processing fee from 0.25% and a guarantee fee from 0.3% a year on start-up loan guarantees. invest.austria charges members €890 or €2,980 a year. WKÖ export advice is free for members for eight hours per country and project (agency sites, October 2026).
Is ABA free?
Yes, the Austrian Business Agency (ABA) is a fully free service funded by the federal government. It supports foreign companies and individuals considering investment, relocation, or expansion into Austria. Services include site selection, legal overviews, tax and subsidy guidance, and introductions to Austrian partners. ABA is the official first contact for foreign direct investment.
Do agencies help with visas?
Yes, indirectly. ABA and Wirtschaftsagentur Wien both guide foreign founders and specialists through the Red-White-Red Card process, including the Start-up Founders track. They do not issue permits themselves, but they coordinate with the relevant MA35 office in Vienna or regional authorities. See our visa guides for detailed step-by-step instructions.