Funding opportunities for new ventures
Without capital, even the best idea is difficult to turn into a success. In addition to business angels and venture capital, Carinthia offers interesting funding opportunities for startups. The province additionally provides uncomplicated startup aid in the form of competitions.
Which programme is suitable for my business? Can I register my cross-border project for funding? How can I get involved in research and development? Many founders ask themselves questions like these. This is why the Carinthian Economic Promotion Fund (KWF) provides a quick initial overview of funding opportunities with the KWF Funding Navigator. Depending on the size of the company, sector, and focus of the project, the navigator lists exactly which subsidies are available.
How does Carinthia support startups?
Especially in the early stages, startups need more than just capital. Guidance, expertise, and access to infrastructure are also crucial. This is exactly where Carinthia steps in with a wide range of support services. “What founders need are financial resources, tools for development, and expertise,” says Martin Trink, Managing Director of build! Gründungszentrum Kärnten. “In Carinthia, grants of up to 200,000 euros and financing options of up to approximately 500,000 euros are available. In addition, there is access to infrastructure and support for the next steps in development.”
Trink sees the region as particularly strong in the initial stages of startup development: “Even in the idea phase, startups in Carinthia receive a diverse array of resources.” In addition to funding, this includes research infrastructure at the University of Klagenfurt, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, and Silicon Austria Labs, as well as support for networking, prototype development, and market entry.
© Johannes Puch
Venture capital and smart money
In addition to funding and subsidies, business angels and venture capital can promote the growth of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Carinthian Venture Fund provides tech startups with global potential and SMEs with access to venture capital. The fund also supports startups with connections to companies and investors, as well as expertise in business development – i.e. “smart money”. It invests in early stage, development and growth projects in the form of equity.
The Carinthian ideas competition “90 Seconds” doesn’t involve such a large amount of money, but it does offer a massive opportunity. The competition for innovative projects is organised by the build! Gründungszentrum startup centre together with all cooperation partners from the startup ecosystem such as the Carinthian Chamber of Commerce, Kärntner Betriebsansiedlungs- & Beteiligungsgesellschaft m.b.H. (BABEG), aspire! Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Social Competence at Klagenfurt University, Startup Carinthia, and Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, and is a great springboard for forward-thinking and creative visionaries with bright business ideas.
Martin Trink, Managing Director of build! Gründungszentrum
“Startups in Carinthia receive not only funding but also guidance.”
