Funding for Business Financing in Austria

Whether founding a company, growing it, or investing in new machinery, software, or a climate-friendly location: in Austria, business financing is often strongest when it does not rely solely on equity or a traditional bank loan. Grants play a central role here because they close financing gaps, mitigate risks, and leverage private funds—especially during phases when collateral is scarce or the project is innovative and therefore harder to assess.

Typical instruments include low-interest loans as well as guarantees and warranties that facilitate access to banks. For startups and scaleups, equity and venture instruments are added, while SMEs often use founding and growth financing. At the same time, there are thematic funding windows, for example for digitization, innovation, or climate protection. Particularly for sustainable investments, verification logics around ESG, taxonomy, or measurable effects are gaining importance—along with thorough project and financial planning.

It is important to choose the appropriate instrument type early on and to check eligibility: company size (SME), location in Austria, project start, combinability, and state aid regulations. Many EU-supported programs are also accessed through partner banks or funds—here, an early discussion with suitable intermediaries is worthwhile.

The Reflecta Funding Compass helps you quickly find suitable programs from the federal government, states, and the EU, compare your options, and prepare your application in a structured way. This turns an idea into a fundable project—with clear next steps instead of guesswork.