Start.INTERNATIONALIZATION
Funding for export-oriented Carinthian companies to strengthen their global competitiveness. Submission from 01.06.2025 to 31.12.2025, application required before project start.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support Carinthian companies in expanding their export activities and strengthening their competitiveness in global markets through sustainable internationalization strategies.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Entrepreneurial salary
- Investments
- External services
Non-eligible expenses
- Costs under €5,000
- Non-eligible costs according to the cost guidelines
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Business location in Carinthia
- Membership in the Carinthian Chamber of Commerce or the Chamber of Architects and Consulting Engineers for Styria and Carinthia
- Presence of a stable economic situation
Documents required for application
- Questionnaire | Where does your company stand in export?
- KWF Cost Guide
- Project Description
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content of the internationalization strategy
- Sustainable market development
- Economic stability
Description
Start.INTERNATIONALIZATION is a non-repayable grant from the Carinthian Economic Promotion Fund (KWF) for export-oriented companies with an operational base in Carinthia. It aims at the sustainable expansion of export activities to strengthen global competitiveness. Companies of all sizes and industries with international growth potential, seeking to expand their foreign presence for the first time or with new strategies, are eligible to participate. In addition to regional anchoring and a stable economic situation, membership in the Carinthian Chamber of Commerce or the Chamber of Architects and Consulting Engineers for Styria and Carinthia is a prerequisite. Evaluation is based on the innovativeness of the internationalization strategy, sustainable market development, and economic stability.
Personnel costs and entrepreneur’s salary are funded (funding rate up to 10%, maximum EUR 5,000) as well as investments and external services (funding rate up to 25%, maximum EUR 18,750). Projects with eligible expenses below EUR 5,000 are excluded. The project duration must not exceed 24 months, and the application must be submitted prior to project commencement. The submission deadline in the KWF funding portal runs from June 1 to December 31, 2025 – subject to budgetary availability. Application documents include a questionnaire "Where does the company stand in export?", a detailed project description, and the KWF cost guideline. Start.INTERNATIONALIZATION offers companies the opportunity to combine internal know-how with external expertise and systematically develop new sales markets.