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Funding a company
Thinking about starting your own business in Upper Austria? Whether you’re a tech innovator, creative entrepreneur, or small business owner, the region offers a strong network of support, funding opportunities, and advisory services — many of which are accessible in English.
Your first steps
Your first stop should be the Gründerservice – the start-up support unit of the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce. They provide help with:
Choosing the right legal form
Step-by-step guidance for registration
Business plan tools and cost calculators
Funding & Financial Support
Upper Austria has a well-structured funding landscape, with support available for all stages of your business — from idea to growth. Here are some of the most helpful resources for expats:
- tech2b
is an incubator based in Linz that offers:- Mentoring and coaching
- Help finding grants and investors
- Support for tech, creative, and social innovation projects
- Business Upper Austria
is the government’s business agency, helping both startups and international companies settle in Upper Austria. Services include:- Location scouting and infrastructure support
- Help dealing with local authorities and permits
- Guidance on public subsidies and EU grants
- National Grants & Loans
At the federal level, you can also apply for:- AWS (Austria Wirtschaftsservice) – Pre-seed and seed funding, innovation loans, and guarantees
- FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency) – R&D grants, innovation checks and startup suppor
- Invest in Austria from the ABA (Austrian Business Agency)– A one-stop guide to tax breaks and federal funding
Legal, taxes & social insurance
Before registering your company, it’s strongly recommended to speak with a tax advisor (Steuerberater) who understands Austrian tax and company law.
Social Insurance Tip
As a self-employed person, you’ll pay into the SVS system. The first three years are covered under a reduced “start-up” rate — around €6,000 per year. After that, it adjusts based on your income.