The most innovative ideas are of use only, when they have successfully bridged the gap from lab to market. That’s why Austria has a wide array of national as well as regional funding schemes on offer. Focusing on start-up ideas in biotechnology and medical devices, Austria Wirtschaftservice (aws), the Austrian funding bank, provides financial support with its promotional programs „PreSeed LISA“ and “LISA Seedfinancing”. The two programs aim at encouraging the implementation of scientific discoveries into businesses and to raise the number of new business ventures in the life sciences.

LISA PreSeed provides funding for the phase before a life science company is set up. Costs related to the scientific implementation and the economic application of a project can be funded. The maximum amount of this non-refundable financial support is € 200,000.

More information and forms at www.preseed.at

The setting-up of an innovative and internationally competitive high-tech company needs a lot of know-how, courage and capital. aws supports the starting phase of young high-tech companies with up to € 800,000, combined with tailored advice and support. Once the company is making profit or sold, financial support must be refunded. Customary securities usually needed for bank loans are not necessary. However, the company must be partly and adequately funded through private capital.

More information and forms: www.seedfinancing.at

To successfully build an innovative high-tech company, the management team has to master a lot of challenges. With temporary management, the aws team supports young high-tech companies, which are already funded through the seed programme, to overcome critical competence gaps. With up to € 50,000 or a maximum of 50% of the costs, external advice in the areas of finances, sales or technology can be funded. The run-time of this support measure usually lasts 6 to 9 months.

aws offers with i2 – the business angels exchange – the only nationwide cooperation exchange between companies looking for equity and business angels. aws takes care of the pre-selection for the business angels, while  companies looking for equity receive access to an exclusive circle of business angels. Private investors provide not only fresh equity, but also valuable business know-how.

Vorrausetzung PreSeed/Seedfinancing