World!Market - Funding for International Appearances
Funding of up to 60% of the costs for international trade fair appearances, competition participation, technology transfer, and market development for Styrian SMEs. Applications possible until 30.06.2027.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
The objective of the funding initiative Welt!Markt is to support Styrian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in their first international trade fair appearances, in cross-border technology transfer, in participating in international architectural competitions, as well as in market development measures in foreign target regions, and to facilitate access to new export markets and cooperation partners.
Eligible expenses
- Booth space and booth construction
- Transport costs for booth and exhibition materials
- Participation fees
- Marketing costs abroad
- Travel expenses (flight, train, hotel)
- Show more
Non-eligible expenses
- Internal personnel expenses
- Representation costs (entertainment, gifts)
- Daily allowances
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- SME status according to the EU definition
- Business establishment in Styria
- Trade license or equivalent professional authorization
- Funding application prior to project start
- Own contribution of at least 25% for eligible project costs
Documents required for application
- Online application via the funding portal
- Project description
- Calculation of project costs
- De-minimis declaration
- Company register excerpt
Evaluation criteria
- Relevance for access to new export markets
- Innovative content of the measure
- Relation to focus regions of ICS Styria
Description
The funding initiative “Welt!Markt” by the Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG) targets Styrian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from industry, crafts, trade, and business-related services, as well as architectural firms and engineering consultants. Its aim is to support initial international trade fair appearances, participation in architecture competitions, cross-border technology transfers, and market development measures in foreign target regions. The SFG covers up to 60% of eligible project costs (50% basic funding plus 10% bonus in the “ICS focus regions”), with a maximum of €8,000 for Europe and €16,000 for distant markets. Eligible expenses include stand space and construction, transport and participation fees, marketing and travel costs, as well as external coaching and consulting abroad. Activities must be applied for online via the SFG portal before the project start, with a minimum own contribution of 25% of the eligible costs. According to the “De-minimis” regulation, no more than €300,000 in state aid may be granted per company within a rolling three-year period.
Projects are evaluated based on their relevance to new export markets, their level of innovation, and their relation to the defined focus regions of ICS Internationalization Center Styria GmbH. Key requirements include SME status according to the EU definition, a business establishment in Styria, and a valid trade license. Funded expenses must be approved after application submission and properly accounted for; internal personnel and representation costs are excluded. Funding applications can be submitted until 30.06.2027. With “Welt!Markt,” Styrian companies receive valuable impulses to efficiently open up new markets and build international partners and cooperation networks.