Start-up Grant

The business start-up program of the Public Employment Service (AMS) nationwide supports founders with financial start-up assistance in the form of a non-repayable grant. It covers all of Austria and addresses the areas of business start-up, corporate financing, as well as consulting and training and further education. Within the first two months after commencing self-employment, starting from the beginning of compulsory insurance under the GSVG or BSVG, living expenses are covered to compensate for the often insufficient market income during the initial phase. Participants go through four phases: clarification of the business idea, preparation and qualification, business realization, and follow-up support by experts. Eligible to apply are unemployed persons at the start of the preparation phase who can demonstrate a concrete business idea and possess the required professional qualifications. The project duration is two months, and applications can be submitted continuously until the program budget is exhausted.

As grant funding, costs for professional business consulting, necessary training and further education, as well as subsistence-secure benefits are covered in particular. Funding requirements include, besides unemployment at program start, the determination of a feasible business idea and proof of qualification prerequisites. Payments are made as a monthly grant and are paid directly to the beneficiaries. Annual disbursements are published in the federal transparency database. The first application deadline began in January 2013; since then, continuous submissions have been possible until funds are depleted. The initiative aims to secure the establishment of new businesses, facilitate market entry, and sustainably consolidate self-employment. Through this comprehensive support, the risk of premature business closure is significantly reduced.