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• Rechtlicher Rahmen: Die Rahmenrichtlinie und das Förderprogramm wurden vom Wiener Gemeinderat am 18.10.2023 genehmigt.
• Beihilferechtliche Grundlage: Die Förderung erfolgt nach dem De-minimis-Prinzip.
• Zielgruppe: Förderberechtigt sind bestehende kleine und mittlere Unternehmen mit Firmensitz und Betriebsstätte in Wien.
• Förderart: Die Förderungen erfolgen in Form nicht rückzahlbarer Zuschüsse.
• Projektlaufzeit: Die maximale Projektlaufzeit beträgt 2 Jahre, und das Projekt darf erst nach Antragstellung beginnen.
• Förderbare Kosten: Es sind ausschließlich Kosten förderbar, die nach Antragstellung und Projektstart angefallen sind.

Warum Internationalisierung?

Angesichts der begrenzten Möglichkeiten im heimischen Markt ist die Ausrichtung auf den Export für viele Wiener Unternehmen entscheidend. Gerade für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) birgt der Eintritt in neue ausländische Märkte jedoch vielfältige Herausforderungen. Finanzielle Investitionen, regulatorische Anforderungen, organisatorische Strukturen und nicht zuletzt kulturelle Unterschiede machen den Schritt ins Ausland komplex.

Die Lösung: Internationaler Markteintritt Förderprogramm

Die Wirtschaftsagentur Wien hat das Förderprogramm “Internationaler Markteintritt” ins Leben gerufen, um Wiener KMUs bei ihren Internationalisierungsbemühungen zu unterstützen. Ziel ist es, Unternehmen zu ermutigen, Internationalisierung bereits in den frühen Phasen der Produktentwicklung zu berücksichtigen.

Förderziele und Fokus: Beschäftigung

Dieses Förderprogramm folgt den generellen Zielsetzungen der “Rahmenrichtlinie 24+” der Wirtschaftsagentur Wien. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt auf der Schaffung von Arbeitsplätzen. Das Internationalisierungsvorhaben soll dazu beitragen, dass Unternehmen aus Wien mittel- bis langfristig zusätzliche Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter aufnehmen und nachhaltig wachsen.

Für wen ist die Förderung?

Die Förderung richtet sich an bestehende kleine und mittlere Unternehmen aus Wien, die den Eintritt in neue ausländische Märkte planen. Hierbei ist die Förderung nicht auf bestimmte Branchen beschränkt, sondern für alle Unternehmen zugänglich.

Förderbare Projekte im Fokus

Förderfähig sind Projekte von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen aus Wien, die sich auf die Aufnahme von internationalen Geschäftsbeziehungen in neuen ausländischen Märkten konzentrieren. Dabei ist es wichtig, dass die Projekte darauf abzielen, die Absatzchancen und -mengen des Unternehmens nachhaltig zu erhöhen und eine langfristige Präsenz im Zielmarkt zu etablieren. Die Förderung deckt nicht nur den Besuch von Messen ab, sondern erfordert eine plausible Internationalisierungsstrategie.

Wie beantragst du die Förderung?

Die Anträge können ausschließlich über die Website der Wirtschaftsagentur Wien eingereicht werden. Dazu müssen die Online-Formulare vollständig und korrekt ausgefüllt werden. Wichtige Dokumente wie die Antragsbestätigung, De-minimis-Erklärung, der letzte Jahresabschluss und Lebensläufe müssen dem Antrag beigefügt werden.

Fazit

Das Förderprogramm “Internationaler Markteintritt” der Wirtschaftsagentur Wien bietet eine einzigartige Chance für Wiener Unternehmen, ihre internationalen Ambitionen zu realisieren. Mit finanzieller Unterstützung, klaren Richtlinien und Fokus auf Beschäftigungswachstum ist dies ein Keyelement, um die globalen Märkte zu erobern.

Du brauchst Beratung und Unterstützung bei der Antragstellung? Kontaktiere uns gerne hier kostenlos und unverbindlich gleich hier:

Quelle: https://wirtschaftsagentur.at/aktuelle-foerderungen-der-wirtschaftsagentur-wien/foerderung-internationaler-markteintritt/

Innovation and sustainability go hand in hand. The FFG Basic Program Small Project offers tailor-made funding opportunities for small research and development projects of start-ups.

Figures | Data | Facts:

Project type: Small project
Funding: National
Submission: possible on an ongoing basis
Target group: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups can apply for this funding on an ongoing basis and without subject restrictions.
Selection by: Ongoing assessment by FFG
Scope of funding: Up to a maximum of 60% of the eligible costs. For medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), 35% applies and with cooperation up to a maximum of 50%. For small enterprises (SMEs) this is 45% and with cooperation up to a maximum of 60%.
Min. / max. Promotion: See guidelines / maximum € 90,000
Min. / max. Runtime: 1 – 18 months
Availability from: 01.04.2020 – ongoing

What is the small-scale project about?

The small-scale project promotes smaller experimental development projects that include process, product and service developments – including digital solutions. It also offers space for cooperative projects to strengthen collaboration between companies and research institutions.

Program goals

The main aim of the small-scale project is to give small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups the opportunity to carry out low-volume projects efficiently and quickly. The funding is aimed at broadening the research and innovation base in this crucial sector and supporting start-ups.

Why use the small-scale project?

Combined funding offers such as Project.Start and Market.Start loans enable companies to successfully implement innovative activities and solutions to problems. With a focus on climate and environmental protection as well as digitalization in the healthcare sector, the small-scale project supports a large number of innovation projects.

Call dates and main topics

Submissions for the small project can be made at any time and there are no restrictions on the topic. Companies can participate with projects from all technology fields and industries, including topics such as digitalization, climate, environment, mobility, energy, circular economy, eco-technologies and sustainability.

Cooperation opportunities

There are various cooperation opportunities for companies, including research collaborations and corporate collaborations. These enable broader cooperation between companies and research institutions in order to further strengthen innovation.

Would you like to know whether your company has a chance of winning the small project? Arrange a non-binding analysis meeting now.

Vijay Verma on the differences between the two major Austrian funding agencies – FFG and aws. 

Research and development or deep tech

The difference between the two is that FFG supports projects and start-ups that focus on research and development. Startups that require intensive research for product development are often funded by the FFG.aws, on the other hand, supports startups that are anchored in the high-tech/deep-tech sector or come from the creative industries. But here, too, a high degree of innovation is necessary in order to successfully apply for a funding program.

Payment of the subsidies

The way in which the funding is paid out also differs between the two agencies: in the case of FFG funding, approx. 50% of the total approved funding is paid out in advance. At aws, on the other hand, it is usually the case that the funding is not paid out in advance, but when certain milestones are reached. This means that aws reimburses the costs incurred retrospectively.

Most FFG grants have a 70%, 50%, 90% funding rate and in most cases this is a grant combined with a loan for the company.

Any further questions?

If you have any questions or are unclear about the funding procedures of these two funding agencies, please send a message to verma[at]dhara-solutions.com or via our Contact form and we look forward to getting in touch with you and answering your questions.

“Impact Innovation” – new solutions

A special feature of this funding program is that it is open to any topic. The main focus of this funding is on innovative methods for solving problems for which no solutions yet exist. It does not matter whether it is an EPU (one-person company), an OG (general partnership), a GmbH (limited liability company), a profit or non-profit organization. Even associations can apply for funding.

Amount of funding

The amount of funding is 50% of the submitted costs and a maximum of €75,000. This means that the total project costs can be up to €150,000.

Date of application

At what point in the problem-solving process should you apply for this funding?

• At the beginning: when it comes to identifying the extent of the problem.
• The next step is to consider some possible solutions that could solve the problem.
• If one or perhaps two of these possible solutions are selected and an attempt is made to solve the problem using one of these selected innovative methods.
• Right through to solving the problem and launching the product on the market. This funding can be applied for up to this phase.

This means that funding can be applied for at any of these stages, from a very early phase in which the idea and possible solution proposals first exist to a finished product that enters the market.

Tips for the application

What is very important for the application is that various Stakeholders are involved who can provide feedback and thereby improve the product. To apply for this funding, Impact Innovation from FFG, a Business plan required, which does not have to be particularly extensive. 20 – 30 pages are more than sufficient, but the quality should be very good. The financial costs must be planned so that materials, personal costs, travel expenses, etc. incurred during the project can be covered. This Financial plan must be submitted with the application.

Submission procedure for FFG “Impact Innovation”

To apply for FFG Impact Innovation funding, the process is very simple. The entire funding process can be found online on the FFG website(www.ffg.at).

• First, a login must be created via eCall on the FFG website.
• After creating a login with a password, you will see “Impact Innovation” as one of the options in the menu. Simply select this option, upload the documents and send them off.
• Once the application has been submitted, a Confirmation that the application documents have been successfully submitted to FFG. Within the next few weeks, a:e Project manager, assigned to the project by the FFG, by e-mail and will arrange a meeting.
• Normally, these Meet two experts, someone with a technical background and expertise in innovation itself and someone with expertise in financial matters. At the meeting, questions are asked about innovation and innovative solutions. In principle, the degree of technical innovation and whether the skills for developing the solution are available are also queried. Other questions can also be asked, such as how the remaining 50% of the total cost of the project can be financed.
• If, after the meeting, the project managers are satisfied with the innovation and the answers , they will present the project at the next FFG Board Meeting.
• If the project is approved by the FFG Board is also approved, an e-mail is usually sent on the same day that the project has been accepted for funding. FFG is very efficient when it comes to passing on information to start-ups.
• After the news that the project has beenapproved for funding , the funding contract is sent out in the following weeks, which must be checked, signed and returned to FFG.
• Once the contract has been received, it usually only takes a few days for the FFG to receive at least 50% of the approved subsidy is paid out. The remaining funding is paid out either at mid-term with the interim report or at the end of the project.

Further questions about this or other subsidies?

If you have any questions or difficulties understanding the entire funding process, or if you need help applying for this FFG funding, we will be happy to help. Simply send a message to verma@dhara-solutions.com and we will arrange a free and non-binding initial consultation.