# Best Austrian Government Business Support Agencies (2026) > Compare Austria's top government business support agencies in 2026. aws, Wirtschaftsagentur Wien, ABA, WKÖ, FFG, and more. Free services for founders, investors, and exporters explained. Updated: May 19 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/startups/gov-agencies Updated May 19 2026. 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. All services for founders and foreign investors are free. Most programs are available in English, though some regional agencies work primarily in German. See our [freelance visa guide](/visa/freelance-visa) if you plan to relocate to Austria as a founder. ## Top 7 Best Austrian Business Support 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. Best for Foreign Investors ### 1. Austrian Business Agency (ABA) 5.0The 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. Why we recommend it: Fully free federal service with English-first communication, site selection across all 9 federal states, and coordination with visa and tax authorities. Best for: Foreign founders, investors, and companies relocating to Austria 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 [Visit ABA](https://www.investinaustria.at)Best for Vienna ### 2. Wirtschaftsagentur Wien 4.7The 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. Why we recommend it: 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. Best for: Founders and SMEs based in Vienna looking for local advisory and grants 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 [Visit Wirtschaftsagentur Wien](https://www.wirtschaftsagentur.at)Federal Bank ### 3. Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) 4.5Austria'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. Why we recommend it: Flagship aws PreSeed and Seedfinancing for startups with guarantees for bank loans up to EUR 25 million and full English-language documentation. Best for: Austrian startups seeking non-dilutive federal funding and loan guarantees Pros - +Flagship aws PreSeed and Seedfinancing for startups - +Guarantees for bank loans of up to EUR 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 [Visit aws](https://www.aws.at)Best for Exporters ### 4. WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT Austria 4.3The export promotion arm of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ). Runs more than 100 foreign offices worldwide supporting Austrian exporters with market research, trade missions, and partner matching. Why we recommend it: 100+ foreign offices worldwide with subsidized trade missions for Austrian SMEs and automatic WKÖ membership for Austrian businesses. Best for: Austrian exporters, importers, and founders entering new international markets Pros - +100+ foreign offices worldwide - +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 [Visit WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT](https://www.wko.at/aussenwirtschaft) ### 5. invest.austria 4.1Federal investor relations platform operated in coordination with aws and ABA. invest.austria aggregates information for institutional investors, angel networks, and founders looking to connect with Austrian capital. Why we recommend it: Central directory of Austrian investor networks with coordination across aws co-investment schemes and federal-backed legitimacy. Best for: Founders and investors building relationships with Austrian capital markets Pros - +Central directory of Austrian investor networks - +Coordination with aws co-investment schemes - +Events and matchmaking sessions - +Useful overview of angel networks Cons - −More of a discovery platform than a service agency - −Less hands-on than aws or Wirtschaftsagentur Wien - −Still scaling up in 2026 [Visit invest.austria](https://www.invest-austria.com/en)Best R&D Grants ### 6. FFG (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft) 4.0The 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. Why we recommend it: Basisprogramm covers up to 70 percent of R&D costs with combined grants and soft loans plus strong support for EU Horizon Europe applications. Best for: Research-driven startups and SMEs funding applied R&D and prototyping 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 [Visit FFG](https://www.ffg.at) ### 7. Standortagentur Tirol 3.8The location and innovation agency of the Tyrol region. Standortagentur Tirol supports companies relocating to or expanding in Tyrol, with specific strengths in tourism tech, life sciences, and mechatronics. Why we recommend it: Strong Alpine ecosystem in life sciences and tourism with Innsbruck University coordination and warm introductions to Tyrolean corporates. Best for: Founders and companies relocating to or scaling in Tyrol Pros - +Strong Alpine ecosystem in life sciences and tourism - +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 [Visit Standortagentur Tirol](https://www.standort-tirol.at) ## How Do Austrian Business Agencies Help Founders? Austrian business agencies combine advisory, funding access, and connections to research and export networks. Services are typically free for founders. Here is what each layer covers: - 1Federal promotional bank (aws) Non-dilutive grants, guarantees on bank loans, and equity co-investment. aws PreSeed and aws Seedfinancing are the core startup instruments. - 2R&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. - 3Regional 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. - 4Foreign direct investment (ABA) ABA is the federal agency promoting Austria to foreign companies and founders. It provides site search, legal overviews, and warm introductions. - 5Export promotion (WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT) The Chamber of Commerce runs 100+ foreign offices 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 100+ 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 You do not need to pay a consultant to navigate Austrian public funding. Federal and regional agency advisors are salaried civil servants whose job is to direct you to the right program. Book a free 30-minute call before starting any grant application. ## 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 EUR 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](/startups/vcs). ### 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](/facts/austrian-business-agency-aba) - [Wirtschaftsagentur WienAustrian Government Business Agencies](/facts/wirtschaftsagentur-wien) - [Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws)Austrian Government Business Agencies](/facts/aws-austria-wirtschaftsservice) - [WKÖ AUSSENWIRTSCHAFT AustriaAustrian Government Business Agencies](/facts/wko-aussenwirtschaft-austria) - [invest.austriaAustrian Government Business Agencies](/facts/invest-austria) - [Standortagentur TirolAustrian Government Business Agencies](/facts/standortagentur-tirol) ## Official Sources - [aws: Austria Wirtschaftsservice (Federal Promotional Bank)](https://www.aws.at) - [ABA: Austrian Business Agency (Invest in Austria)](https://www.investinaustria.at) - [FFG: Austrian Research Promotion Agency](https://www.ffg.at) - [WKÖ: Austrian Federal Economic Chamber](https://www.wko.at) ## Related Guides [### Public Funds aws, FFG, and regional grants for Austrian startups](/startups/public-funds)[### Freelance Visa Residence permits for self-employed founders and freelancers](/visa/freelance-visa)[### Income Tax in Austria How Austrian income tax works for employees and founders](/taxes/income-tax)[### Foreign Trade Agencies International trade agencies operating in Austria](/startups/foreign-trade-agencies) --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/startups/gov-agencies Last updated: Updated: May 19 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.