Preseed I Seed Financing - Program Line Innovative Solutions
Grants for innovative, impact-oriented startups in Vienna: proof of concept, market launch, and social added value. Ongoing submissions possible until 30.09.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for pre-foundation, foundation, and growth of innovative companies with high societal impact value beyond high technology, and assistance in developing scalable business models.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Third-party costs (external expertise, consulting services)
- Material costs (materials, intellectual property rights)
- Travel expenses
- Other project-related costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Real estate, vehicles, construction of buildings
- Provisions and reserves
- Value-added tax (if input tax deductible)
- Costs incurred before application submission
- Routine, incremental further developments
Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Companies
- Individuals
Funding requirements
- Company headquarters and main value creation in Austria
- Independent micro or small enterprise according to the EU SME definition
- High degree of innovation and scalable business model
- Proof of Concept (Preseed) or market readiness focus (Seed financing)
- Minimum own contribution of 10% of total costs
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Documents required for application
- Online application form in the aws funding manager
- Project and financing plan
- Business plan (25 pages)
- Structured pitch deck
- Integral planning (work packages and costs)
- Proof of identification
- Resumes of the founding team
- Proof of equity capital
Evaluation criteria
- Innovation potential
- Market relevance and scalability
- Societal impact
- Team and founder competence
Description
Preseed | Seedfinancing – Innovative Solutions targets micro and small enterprises, startups, and private individuals in Vienna who develop innovative products or services with high societal value. The program line supports two modules: Preseed – Innovative Solutions supports the proof of concept in the pre-startup and early startup phase with up to EUR 89,000 (80% funding rate, gender bonus 90%, max. EUR 100,000) for personnel costs, third-party costs, material costs, travel expenses, and other project-related expenditures. Seedfinancing – Innovative Solutions accompanies startups up to five years after registration in the commercial register on the path to market maturity and market launch with up to EUR 356,000 (80% funding rate, gender bonus 90%, max. EUR 400,000). The duration is 12 months (Preseed) or 24 months (Seedfinancing), each extendable. Applications are accepted continuously until 30.09.2026 via the aws Fördermanager; the selection committee meets quarterly.
Requirements for funding include company headquarters and value creation in Austria, high innovation potential, a scalable business model, a minimum own contribution of 10%, and independence as an EU SME. Evaluation criteria are innovation potential, market relevance and scalability, societal impact, as well as team and founder competencies. The funding amount is granted depending on the module and need, accompanied by industry-specific and innovation protection consultations valued between EUR 5,000 and EUR 18,900. Excluded are costs for real estate, vehicles, provisions, VAT with input tax deduction, costs incurred before application submission, and incremental further developments. Eligible costs include, among others, personnel costs, third-party costs, material costs, and travel expenses. The decision must be made by the end of 2026; required documents are business plan, pitch deck, financial plan, CVs, proof of identification, and proof of own funds.
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