aws (Austria Wirtschaftsservice): Preseed and Seed Strategies

aws Austria: A Strategic Guide to Public Funding for Startups and Growth Companies

While many Austrian startups first think of FFG when it comes to public funding, there’s another key player just as relevant for innovation and growth: Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws).

As the federal development and financing bank, aws offers a wide range of non-dilutive funding instruments that support innovative businesses from ideation to international expansion. The focus lies on economic impact, innovation potential, and long-term scalability.

This article provides a strategic overview of the most relevant aws funding programs for startups, outlines the differences compared to FFG, and explains how founders can leverage these tools to build a solid financial foundation without giving up equity.

aws Preseed: The First Public Funding for Deep Tech Ideas

aws Preseed targets technology-driven startup projects at the very earliest stage – often before incorporation or prototype development.

Funding amount: up to €200,000 in non-repayable grants
Equity required: at least 5% of own contribution
Target group: high-tech concepts with long-term commercial potential
Focus areas: Life Sciences, Deep Tech, ICT, Female Founders, etc.
Funding rate: up to 100% of eligible costs (excluding VAT)

Why it matters: aws Preseed is one of the few programs that supports individual founders and non-incorporated teams. It’s designed to validate technical and commercial feasibility through prototyping, IP checks, market exploration, and strategic planning.

aws Seedfinancing: Scale-Up Capital After Preseed or as a Direct Entry Point

Once a prototype exists or initial market feedback is secured, aws Seedfinancing enables companies to move into the next growth phase.

Funding amount: up to €800,000 in non-repayable grants
Target group: startups with scalable, innovation-led business models
Use cases: product development, team expansion, early market entry
Disbursement: in tranches, tied to milestones

Tip: The decision is heavily influenced by your business case, growth potential, and the strength of your founding team. Clear validation (e.g., LOIs, pilot users, traction) significantly boosts your chances.

aws IP Programs: Build and Finance Your IP Strategy

For technology-based companies, protecting intellectual property is a strategic must. aws offers dedicated support to help startups build and finance IP assets:

aws IP Start: for early-stage IP research, trademark strategies, and basic protection
aws IP Bonus: co-funding of external patent attorneys and filings
aws Patent Grant: support for international patent applications

Why it matters: Strong IP not only protects your technology but also increases credibility with investors, enhances company valuation, and protects market entry strategies.

aws Thematic Calls: Digitalization, Green Transition & Disruptive Tech

Beyond core programs, aws regularly launches mission-driven funding calls addressing major societal and economic challenges. Current highlights include:

aws Digitalization: supports the digital transformation of products, services, and internal processes
aws Green Transition: focused on sustainable technologies and climate-relevant business models
aws Disruptive Technologies: for paradigm-shifting innovations with international scale-up potential

These programs are competitive calls with defined deadlines and rankings. Success requires strategic clarity, a clear innovation edge, and strong execution capability.

aws Guarantees, Equity, and Internationalization Tools

In addition to grants, aws provides risk-sharing and financial leverage instruments that can unlock follow-on financing from investors or banks:

aws Guarantees: public guarantees for bank loans covering working capital, investments, or innovation
aws Gründerfonds: equity investments in high-potential Austrian startups (often co-investing with VCs)
aws Internationalization: grants and support for entering new markets (e.g., trade shows, IP filings, local validation)

These tools are especially relevant for scale-ups looking to expand, raise capital, or enter international markets with public backing.

Conclusion: aws as a Strategic Financing Lever

The aws offers a comprehensive and well-structured funding portfolio that addresses the full lifecycle of a startup — from idea to international growth. Unlike FFG, the focus is less on applied research and more on execution, commercialization, and market readiness.

For founders who think long-term and aim to combine grants with private investment, aws is not just a useful tool — it’s a central piece of your financial architecture.