Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws) is the promotional bank of the Austrian federal government.

It supports companies in implementing their innovative projects by offering soft loans, grants and guarantees, particularly in cases where the funds required cannot be obtained sufficiently through alternative funding.

Specific information, coaching and services are also offered to prospective, existing and expanding companies.

The support provided through the aws can help you

  • to set up an enterprise more easily,
  • access soft loans from EUR 10,000,
  • access finance by providing guarantees,
  • develop and implement innovations,
  • check strategies thoroughly.

aws Mid-Cap Fund

The aws Mid Cap Fund invests in medium-sized companies as part of its growth projects. Established in 2009 by the Austrian government promotional bank, Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws), the aws Mid Cap Fund offers follow-on funding for companies enjoying strong growth or co-invests in medium-sized acquisitions or company successions. The purpose of the aws Mid Cap Fund is to form partnerships of equals with enterprises and offer them the best possible support in pursuing and achieving sustainable growth.

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aws Founder Fund

The aws Founders Fund provides venture capital for company founders. Established at the start of 2013 by the Austrian federal government’s promotional bank, Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws), it is set to run until 2026. The fund is endowed with EUR 65 million and provides venture capital for young enterprises with significant growth potential that are unable to raise the necessary capital through bank loans, for example, in addition to investing in the founding and initial growth phases of commercial businesses headquartered in Austria.

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ERP Fund

The ERP Fund provides ERP loans with low interest rates and long terms. The ERP Fund was established in 1962 using funds from the US Marshall Plan aid programme and is jointly headed by Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws). The yearly funding is between EUR 500 million and EUR 600 million. The ERP Fund supports the investment activities of Austrian enterprises and thereby promotes investment in innovation, technology, modernisation, expansion measures and the development/expansion of services and business fields, for example.

National Foundation for Research, Technology & Development

Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws) is legally mandated to operate the office of the National Foundation for Research, Technology & Development (RTD Foundation). Endowed with funds from the Austrian federal government, the Austrian National Bank and the ERP Fund, the RTD Foundation offers grants to federal funding agencies.

Read more about the National Foundation for Research, Technology & Development Foundation

Austria Fund

In order to make use of existing, proven structures, the business of the Austria Fund is conducted by the National Foundation for Research, Technology & Development. The Austria Fund allocates funds from the federal turnover portions of the tax reform 2015/2016 to federal funding agencies; the projects submitted must differ from those submitted to the National Foundation for Research, Technology & Development.

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Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation

The Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation (Marshallplan Jubiläumsstiftung) was established in 1999 by means of a financial donation from the ERP Fund in the amount of ATS 30 million (around EUR 2.2 million) to mark the 50th anniversary of the Marshall Plan. The Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation promotes collaboration between Austria and the USA. To this end, it implements economic and socioeconomic research and teaching projects that have a connection to the United States. This also applies to projects from other scientific fields where these focus on economic or socioeconomic issues.

Read more about the Austrian Marshall Plan Foundation