International Market Entry

The International Market Entry funding supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vienna in their sustainable expansion into new foreign markets. The aim is to strengthen foreign trade through targeted investments in licenses, concessions, as well as external consulting and service provisions. Projects with a minimum size of €20,000 and a maximum funding amount of €50,000 per initiative are eligible. With a funding rate of up to 50%, significant personnel costs, travel expenses, and intangible investment costs can be covered. The program duration is up to 24 months, providing companies with sufficient time for market research, negotiations, and on-site implementation. Applications can be submitted until December 31, 2026, with the next deadlines on August 31 and December 31, 2026.

For the application, the registered office and place of business in Vienna must be proven, and SME status must be confirmed. A fully completed funding application including the De-minimis declaration, the most recently audited annual financial statement or income-expenditure statement, as well as CVs of the project management, form the basis for evaluation. An independent jury assesses whether the project meets the requirements based on clearly defined criteria. Purchases under €200 are not eligible. A precautionary project start is only permitted after complete submission. Companies benefit from free consulting services and networking events offered by the Vienna Business Agency, which accompany the entire process until the funding approval.