Innovation
Funding for Viennese SMEs and founders for the development of new or significantly improved products, services, and processes. Applications can be submitted continuously from 01/01/2024 to 12/31/2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the implementation of development or innovation projects by Viennese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to strengthen their competitiveness and future viability through the promotion of new or optimized processes, products, and services.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- External services (consulting, development, patent application)
- Investments (machines, equipment, devices, prototype construction, experimental and test series, structural measures)
- Licenses and intellectual property rights
- Material and supply costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Activated own contributions
- Costs of ongoing business operations
- Taxes and public charges
- Acquisition of land and buildings
- Invoices under EUR 200 net
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Founders
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
- Non-profit Organizations
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Operating site in Vienna
- Existing SME or company in formation in Vienna
- Independent development effort at the Vienna operating site
- Assumption of technical and economic risk
- Aim of commercial exploitation
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Documents required for application
- Application confirmation
- De minimis declaration
- Most recent annual financial statement or income-expenditure statement
- Curricula vitae of the project management
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the project
- Economic impact and future viability
- Sustainability aspects
- Market potential
- Team competence
Description
The Innovation Funding of the Vienna Business Agency is aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups with a business location in Vienna and supports the development of novel or significantly improved products, services, and processes. With a maximum grant of up to €300,000 per project (funding rate 45% for small, 35% for medium-sized enterprises), personnel expenses, external services (e.g., consulting, patent application), investments (machinery, prototype construction, structural measures), licenses and intellectual property rights, as well as material and supply costs are funded. A minimum project size of €30,000 and a maximum project duration of 24 months apply as framework conditions. Collaborative applications are possible, provided the lead company is based in Vienna. Additional bonus payments (start-up bonus €5,000, women’s bonus €10,000) specifically reward start-up initiatives and project leadership by qualified women. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, market potential, sustainability aspects, economic impact, and team competence.
Applications can be submitted continuously from 01/01/2024 to 12/31/2026; submission deadlines are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, 2025. A prerequisite is proof of independent development activities in Vienna as well as the assumption of technical and economic risk with the goal of commercial exploitation. For application submission via the Vienna Business Agency’s online form, the following must be attached: application confirmation, de minimis declaration, the most recent valid annual financial statement or income-expenditure statement, and CVs of the project management. The funding strengthens the competitiveness and future viability of Viennese SMEs, promotes risk-taking innovation projects, and contributes to the long-term increase of technology readiness levels and economic value creation in Vienna.
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