Austria AWS Seedfinancing

Program Overview

AWS Seedfinancing supports innovative startup and early-stage companies with grants for business development and growth. Operated by Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS), the federal promotional bank, the program provides substantial funding with a special gender bonus to encourage women-led entrepreneurship.

Funding Amount

Standard grant: Up to €356,000

With gender bonus: Up to €400,000

Coverage: Up to 90% of eligible costs

Disbursement: Milestone-based installments

Gender Bonus

Qualification: Women owning more than 25% of shares

Benefit: Increases grant to 90% of costs or €400,000 maximum

Purpose: Encourages women-led entrepreneurship

Eligibility Requirements

Company age: Up to 5 years after incorporation

Innovation requirement: Innovative business model or solution

Location: Austrian company

Stage: Seed and early-stage companies

Eligible Uses

Business development and growth initiatives

Product and service development

Market entry and expansion

Team building and talent acquisition

Application Process

Step 1: Verify eligibility (company age, innovation, location)

Step 2: Access AWS Funding Manager online portal

Step 3: Submit business plan and project proposal

Step 4: Define milestones for installment disbursement

Step 5: Receive funding upon achieving pre-defined milestones

Key Benefits

Equity-free: No company shares required

High coverage: Up to 90% of eligible costs

Gender-inclusive: Bonus for women-led companies

Milestone-based: Structured disbursement aligned with progress

Related Programs

AWS Preseed: For pre-seed stage (€89K-€365K, €100K-€400K with gender bonus)

AWS First Incubator: Pre-startup program (€49K max, 90% costs)

AWS Preseed Deep Tech: Deep tech focus (€267K, €300K with gender bonus)

Contact Information

Organization: Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS)

Website: www.aws.at/en

Program page: www.aws.at/en/aws-seedfinancing-innovative-solutions

Apply: Through AWS Funding Manager portal