International Market Entry
Support for Viennese SMEs in entering new foreign markets. Applications accepted continuously from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
This program aims to support Viennese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their internationalization efforts and entry into a new foreign market. The goal is to sustainably increase sales opportunities and volumes and to achieve a continuous presence in the target market.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Travel expenses
- External services
- Intangible investment costs (licenses, concessions)
Non-eligible expenses
- Costs of ongoing business operations
- Acquisition of land and buildings
- Capitalized own work
- Taxes, public fees, and financing costs
- Marketing costs (advertising, online advertising, printing costs)
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Registered office and place of business in Vienna
- SME status according to EU definition
- Planning market entry into a new foreign market
Documents required for application
- Application confirmation
- De-minimis declaration
- Annual financial statement or income-expenditure account
- Curricula vitae
Evaluation criteria
- Economic Effects
- Innovation Orientation
- Societal Benefit
Description
The International Market Entry program of the Vienna Business Agency offers Vienna-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a tailored funding opportunity to realize entry into a new foreign market. With a non-repayable grant of up to €50,000 per project at a funding rate of 50%, personnel costs, travel expenses, external services, and intangible investment costs (e.g., licenses, concessions) are supported. The goal is to sustainably increase sales opportunities and volumes as well as to establish a permanent presence in the target country. The maximum project duration is 24 months; an advance payment of up to 50% of the approved funding amount is possible.
Eligible for funding are existing SMEs with headquarters and operations in Vienna, classified according to the EU definition, planning entry into a new foreign market. Projects with a minimum volume of €20,000 are eligible to apply; pure trade fair visits without a substantiated internationalization strategy are not funded. Applications can be submitted continuously from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2026, with specific deadlines (including 28.02., 13.06., 30.09.2025, and 15.01.2026). The fully online application must be accompanied by the following documents: application confirmation, de minimis declaration, annual financial statements or income-expenditure accounts, as well as CVs of the project management. The jury decides based on economic effects, innovation orientation, and societal benefit. This program follows the Vienna Business Agency’s Framework Guideline 24+ and specifically promotes additional employment and long-term growth of the Vienna economy.