Promotion of Innovation
Funding for SMEs of all sectors and founders in Vienna for the development of innovative products, technologies, and services. Submissions possible until 31.12.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the development of new products, technologies, and services by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups and their project partners, in order to strengthen innovation, competitiveness, and technology transfer in Vienna.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- External services (consulting, development, certification)
- Investments in structural measures, machinery, equipment, devices
- Prototype construction, experimental and test series
- Patents and intellectual property rights
Non-eligible expenses
- Costs of ongoing daily operations
- Retroactive costs
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
- Educational Institutions
- Non-profit Organizations
- Cooperatives
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
Funding requirements
- Headquartered in Vienna
- SME according to EU definition
- Minimum project size €30,000
- Project must start after submission
Documents required for application
- Fully completed funding application
- Application confirmation
- De minimis declaration
- Annual financial statement or income-expenditure account
- Curricula vitae of the project management
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Economic efficiency
- Qualification of the project management
Description
The Innovation Funding of the Vienna Business Agency is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Vienna, as well as start-ups and their project partners such as universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutions, or non-profit organizations. The goal is the development of novel products, technologies, and services to sustainably strengthen innovation capacity, competitiveness, and technology transfer in the federal capital. Projects with a minimum size of 30,000 euros and a duration of up to 24 months are eligible for funding. The funding rate ranges from 35% to 45%, depending on the company size, with a maximum funding amount of 300,000 euros per project. Eligible costs include, among others, personnel expenses, external services (consulting, development, certifications), investments in machinery, equipment, prototype construction, test series, as well as expenses for patents and intellectual property rights. Retroactive costs and ongoing operating expenses are not funded.
Submissions are possible until December 31, 2026, with recurring deadlines on December 31, 2025, April 30, 2026, and August 31, 2026. Requirements for application include, among others, a fully completed funding application with application confirmation, a de minimis declaration, the latest annual financial statement or income-expenditure statement, as well as the CVs of the project management. Evaluation is based on the level of innovation, economic viability, and the qualifications of the project management by an independent jury. This funding measure optimally supports innovative SME projects to advance pioneering developments in Vienna.
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