aws Seedfinancing - Innovative Solutions
Funding of innovative, impact-oriented start-ups in Austria for the further development from proof of concept to market readiness and market launch. Volume up to EUR 356,000 (up to EUR 400,000 with gender bonus). Ongoing submissions possible.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
With aws Seedfinancing - Innovative Solutions, we finance and support projects from all sectors in the further development of an innovative startup idea with an existing proof of concept, aimed at achieving market readiness and market launch, and generating a positive social or ecological added value.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Third-party costs (e.g., external services, market research, consulting services)
- Material costs (e.g., protective and licensing rights, development costs for pilot and demonstration objects)
- Other directly project-related costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Real estate, vehicles, construction of buildings or non-specific building equipment
- Costs before the application date or project start
- Private pension provisions and voluntary social benefits
- Reserves and provisions
- Value-added tax (for companies entitled to input tax deduction)
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
Funding requirements
- Existing proof of concept or prototype
- Demonstrably high degree of innovation
- Realistic and high market opportunities within a scalable business model
- Social and/or ecological added value
- Company up to 54 months after establishment
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Documents required for application
- Business plan (max. 25 pages)
- Structured pitch deck
- Integrated planning (work packages and costs)
- Proof of identification
- Resumes of the project team
Evaluation criteria
- Degree of innovation of the project
- Market opportunities and scalability
- Social/ecological added value
- Diversity and commitment of the team
Description
With aws Seedfinancing – Innovative Solutions, aws supports innovative, impact-oriented start-ups across Austria in transitioning an existing proof of concept into market-ready products and services. Funding is provided to micro and small enterprises up to 54 months after founding, which create measurable social or ecological added value through scalable business models. As a non-repayable grant, the funding volume reaches up to EUR 356,000, with a gender bonus up to EUR 400,000. The funding covers 80% to 90% of eligible expenses and extends over a maximum project duration of 24 months. Disbursements are made in tranches upon reaching predefined milestones.
Interested start-up teams must demonstrate a prototype or a well-developed proof of concept and provide a realistic growth strategy with high market potential. Eligible costs include personnel expenses, third-party costs such as external consulting or market research services, as well as material costs for protection and licensing rights or pilot developments. Excluded are, among others, real estate investments, costs incurred before application submission, and VAT for companies entitled to input tax deduction. Applications are accepted continuously and require a comprehensive business plan, a structured pitch deck, an integral plan with work packages, proof of identification, and team CVs. Decision dates take place several times a year, with a two-stage selection process based on the degree of innovation, scalability, social impact, and team diversity.
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