Grant

Global Incubator Network Austria (GIN) 2024-2026

Support for Austrian later-stage startups for internationalization in Asia with travel cost subsidies of up to 80% (gender bonus up to 90%), consulting, and co-investment networking. Applications accepted online continuously until 30.11.2026.

Business Financing Business Establishment Foreign Trade Consulting

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline:
01.01. - 30.11.2026
Application level: Advanced
Region: Vienna
Company size: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Funding amount: up to €15,000
Funding rate: 80% - 90%
Project start from: 01.01.2024
Project duration: 36 months

Funding objective

Support for Austrian startups in the growth phase (later-stage) in internationalization in selected Asian hotspots through travel cost subsidies, funded consulting services (e.g., intellectual property protection), and network facilitation to investors, incubators, and cooperation partners.

Eligible expenses

  • Travel expenses
  • Consulting services (e.g., innovation protection)
  • Participation fees for incubation programs including coaching/mentoring

Non-eligible expenses

  • Acquisition of real estate
  • Retroactive costs

Eligible to apply

  • Founders
  • Companies

Funding requirements

  • Registered office or place of business in Austria
  • Startup in growth/later-stage phase
  • Maximum age after market entry: 7 years
  • Innovative product or service
  • Scalable business model with initial customers/revenues
  • Show more

Documents required for application

  1. Application form
  2. Project description
  3. Performance, cost, schedule, and financing plan

Evaluation criteria

  • Innovative content of the internationalization project
  • Scalability of the business model
  • Market readiness of the startup
  • Export/internationalization potential for the Asian market

Description

Global Incubator Network Austria (GIN) 2024–2026 supports Austrian startups in the growth phase (maximum 7 years after market entry) in their internationalization efforts in leading Asian hotspots (Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Mainland China, South Korea). The program grants travel cost subsidies of up to 80% of eligible expenses (up to 90% for startups with female founder shares > 25%) for conference, pitch, and incubation programs. Additionally, up to three hours of subsidized consulting services in the area of intellectual property protection are available. Through the matchmaking platform aws Connect, contacts to investors, incubators, and cooperation partners are facilitated. The maximum funding amount is €15,000 per startup, with funding available until 30.11.2026. Eligible costs include travel expenses, local participation fees, and consulting services; real estate acquisitions and retroactive costs are not eligible. The measure aims to prepare innovative, scalable business models with proven traction in the Austrian market for Asia and to establish long-term financing and cooperation structures.

Applications are accepted continuously online via the aws Fördermanager until no later than 30.11.2026, with project start from 01.01.2024. Required documents include the completed application form, a project description, as well as a detailed performance, cost, timeline, and financing plan. Subsidy payments are made after positive evaluation in the form of lump sums or staggered partial payments upon submission of interim and final use reports. Selection criteria include innovation content, scalability, market readiness, and export potential. Participating SMEs must have their registered office or a branch in Austria and comply with EU state aid regulations. A collaborative partnership with aws and the responsible federal ministries ensures the efficient use of public funds and sustainable international expansion.

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