Austria has a robust startup environment and is quickly becoming known as a prominent European innovation powerhouse. Thanks to a favorable tax structure, an appealing visa program, and a network dedicated to strengthening the country's startup ecosystem, the country provides a healthy environment for entrepreneurs to thrive. Austria's startup landscape benefits from a robust network of early-stage investors and venture capital companies, which continues to fuel the country's top startups and thriving startup ecosystem. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of top VC Funds and Angel Investors in Austria that can provide you with the capital and support to help you succeed!
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Why Should You Raise Funds in Austria?
Startups should consider raising funds in Austria due to the country's appealing startup ecosystem, which offers several advantages for founders:
1. Access to Capital
Austria has a thriving startup environment with numerous funding options such as venture capital funds, angel investors, government grants, and more. In the first half of 2022, Austria made it to the top ten European nations in terms of venture capital investment. In particular, USD 1.2 billion was raised, behind Ireland and Finland, which raised USD 1.5 billion and USD 1.4 billion respectively. This indicates a significant influx of capital into the startup ecosystem, providing ample opportunities for startups to secure funding for their innovative developments. Furthermore, Austria has a comprehensive system of public funds, including non-repayable grants, guarantees, and subsidized loans, which aids entrepreneurs in their expansion. The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS) are the two most prominent financing sources in Austria. Finally, organizations such as ABA-Invest in Austria are doing an excellent job of presenting Austria as an attractive site for investors. With such a favorable funding climate, Austrian entrepreneurs have a better chance of obtaining the capital they require to build and grow their firms.
2. Access to Research and Innovation
Austria is noted for its high ratio of research investment and dedication to innovation, with many universities and research institutions conducting cutting-edge research. Austria's research infrastructure is highly developed; there are numerous research institutes, universities, and technological centers in the nation. These facilities offer cutting-edge technology, labs, and collaboration spaces for entrepreneurs and researchers to perform research and development initiatives. Austria also strongly encourages academic, industrial, and scientific collaboration. COMET Centers (Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies) foster collaboration between corporations and academic institutions on new initiatives. In fact, according to ASM study, around 22% of Austrian entrepreneurs are academic spin-offs from universities or research organizations. Research funding opportunities are also a particular strength of the Austrian environment, as mentioned above with organizations such as Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS), and the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).
3. Supportive Government
The Austrian government has launched a number of measures and regulations to encourage businesses and innovation. These include grants, subsidies, and tax breaks aimed at encouraging entrepreneurship, attracting investment, and bringing talent to the country's startup ecosystem. The New Companies Promotion Act (NeuFöG) was proposed by the Ministry of Economics to streamline the process of launching a new firm in the country. Organizations such as the Austrian Business Agency and the Vienna Business Agency provide extensive consultation and other services to overseas entrepreneurs looking to launch a business in Austria. These reforms also make it simpler for businesses to hire overseas workers and draw talent to Austria. Another important regulation by the Austrian government is the Research Tax Credit, which allows businesses to claim tax deductions for eligible R&D expenses and encourages companies to invest in innovation. Austria also has robust intellectual property laws and regulations in place to protect startups' innovations and inventions. This ensures that startups can benefit from their intellectual property and have a competitive advantage in the market.
Venture Capitalist Funds in Austria
The venture capital firms below are actively looking for investments in promising companies throughout various stages and sectors. The stages stated do not limit the possibility of getting funding if your company is at any stage other than what is listed.
Year of Inception: 2017
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed
Focus: Health, Planetary Health
Notable Portfolio: Fermitify, Valutico, M1mo, Mostly.AI, Elephant
PUSH Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on helping and investing in technology-driven entrepreneurs. PUSH Ventures seeks to find and collaborate with exceptional entrepreneurial teams with the vision and ambition to disrupt industries and develop transformational solutions. They approach portfolio management actively, providing hands-on coaching and strategic counsel to their portfolio firms. By leveraging their extensive network of industry experts, mentors, and advisors, PUSH Ventures ensures that their portfolio companies have access to the right resources, expertise, and connections necessary to accelerate their growth.
Year of Inception: 2017
Stage: Seed
Focus: Science
Notable Portfolio: Contextflow, Neurolentech, Valanx Biotech, Brainhero
Xista Ventures is a venture capital firm with a focus on investing in deep tech firms and academic spin-offs with strong scientific, engineering, and technology innovation. Located in Klosterneubur, Austria, Xista Ventures aspires to bring together the powers of science and business to make ideas a reality. Xista Ventures operates as a lead investor in their portfolio businesses, leveraging their team's unique knowledge in both science and business, as well as their large network. They actively interact with their portfolio firms, providing active portfolio management and hands-on mentoring to assist them in navigating their entrepreneurial journey.
Year of Inception: 2012
Stage: Seed
Focus: Technology
Notable Portfolio: BitMovin, siOPTICA, BITMOVIN, Swissto12
CNB Capital believes in the potential of technology-driven entrepreneurship and recognizes the importance of genuine innovation. They have a long-term and founder-focused strategy, assisting portfolio firms without putting them under pressure to exit. They have a wide portfolio, investing in startups with enthusiastic teams and tech-driven product offerings, and specializing in high-tech B2B product firms with early customer traction.
Year of Inception: 2007
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Technology
Notable Portfolio: Bimspot, Avallain, blackshark.ai
i5invest is a global technology M&A, corporate finance advisory firm, venture capital firm, and startup accelerator. Their core focus is on assisting and managing corporate development and cross-border M&A procedures for exceptional technology enterprises. They invest in seed-stage startups and provide fundraising assistance through their large network of international business angels and venture capitalists in Europe and the United States. As former entrepreneurs, they understand what it's like to be a founder. With their deep subject experience and network of over 150,000 top decision-makers and influencers, they link their entrepreneurs with the technology ecosystem to help them build and scale their businesses.
Year of Inception: 2011
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Deep Tech, Fintech, Health, Industrial Tech, Marketplaces & Consumer, SaaS & Infra
Notable Portfolio: CoachHub, GoStudent, Wefox, Packhelp, Wayflyer
Speedinvest is a well-known European venture capital fund committed to developing and funding breakthrough technologies that disrupt sectors and contribute to the change of the global economy. Their sector-focused investment teams are experts in their respective fields. They provide operational knowledge and guidance to entrepreneurs throughout their journey, assisting them from follow-on investment to acquiring new clients and more.
Year of Inception: 2003
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Technology
Notable Portfolio: Sarcura, Circly, Valanx, Orderlion, Sheepblue
Tecnet Equity is a venture capital firm that invests in emerging technology enterprises and businesses with creative business ideas. What distinguishes Tecnet Equity is their dedication to provide more than financial assistance. They provide personal commitment, a worldwide business network, and years of expertise to ensure the success of their portfolio firms. Furthermore, Tecnet Equity assists research institutes and colleges in assessing, creating, and commercializing research findings. They also assist in the patenting and incorporation of significant innovations into new products, resulting in more business opportunities.
Year of Inception: 2007
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Focus: Biotechnology
Notable Portfolio: Algonist, Moonvision, Lumetry, View
ARAX Capital Partners focuses on early-stage and growing enterprises, providing financial support and strategic expertise to help them flourish. As a venture capital company, they recognize the value of cooperation and collaborate extensively with their portfolio firms to help them expand and accomplish their objectives. Their skilled, multidisciplinary management team offers industry knowledge, first-rate industry know-how, and complementary skills to portfolio firms.
Year of Inception: 2016
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Focus: Deep Tech, Medical
Notable Portfolio: KIVU, Atmos, Contextflow, Mobius Labs
APEX Ventures is an Austrian venture capital fund that is dedicated to supporting science and technology-based startups. One of APEX Ventures' core values is a commitment to innovation. They actively seek out startups that are at the forefront of technological advancements and have the potential to disrupt industries. Through their investments and strategic guidance, they aim to empower science and technology-based startups, enabling them to thrive and make a significant impact in their respective industries.
Year of Inception: 2005
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B
Focus: Technology
Notable Portfolio: Visplore, Valutico, Arkeon, GoUrban, Greenpass
Gründerfonds is an Austrian venture capital fund that focuses on early-stage startups in science and technology. Gründerfonds aspires to empower businesses and stimulate innovation in Austria by emphasizing sustainability and social impact. In addition to financial and strategic support, Gründerfonds provides a variety of tools and programs suited to the requirements of entrepreneurs. These include access to a network of experienced mentors, workshops and training sessions, and assistance with market research, company development, and fundraising.
Year of Inception: 2019
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
Focus: Health
Notable Portfolio: Adent, Biloba, Curio, Glacier, Lingio, Mindstep
Calm/Storm Ventures is a founder network and boutique venture capital business that invests in health and wellness solutions. heir objective is to encourage purpose-driven founders who are committed to improving our lives and health. They emphasize their experience in developing their digital health portfolio across Europe, having strategically invested in a variety of firms involved in diagnostics, virtual care, wellness, infrastructure, and other health-related products.
Year of Inception: 2016
Stage: Series A
Focus: FinTech, InsurTech, Digital Health
Notable Portfolio: Julaya, Luko, Bitpanda, Finabro, Wayflyer, Telemdi
UNIQA Ventures is the venture capital arm of the UNIQA Insurance Group, Austria's largest insurance proider. They are a return-driven, independent financial investor specializing on Series A investments in FinTech, InsurTech, and Digital Health. UNIQA Ventures offers initial investments ranging from EUR 0.5 million to EUR 5 million, as well as follow-on investments. As the pioneer in corporate-backed venture capital in Central and Eastern Europe, they play a critical role in assisting the growth of entrepreneurs and startups in the area.
Year of Inception: 2017
Stage: Series A
Focus: Technology
Notable Portfolio: Picsart, Lokalise, Pactum, Storyblok, Tatum
3VC is a European venture capital group that focuses on investing in a carefully selected group of European technology startups with global ambitions. The firm's investment approach involves thorough evaluation and handpicking of companies with innovative ideas, strong leadership, and a clear vision for growth. They start to support companies at Seed stage and invest in Series A, B, and beyond.
Year of Inception: 2012
Stage: Series A, Series B, Series C
Focus: CleanTech
Notable Portfolio: ECOP Technologies, Swimsol, Organoid, Woom, Sonnerde
FSP Ventures is an independent venture capital firm that focuses on investing in innovative and technology-driven cleantech startups. With the goal to generate sustainable growth and environmental impact, they invest in entrepreneurs exploring cutting-edge solutions to global issues such as clean energy, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Year of Inception: 2018
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
Focus: FinTech
Notable Portfolio: Agro.club, Fincompare, Tarfin, Pisano, goUrban
Elevator Ventures is the corporate venture capital entity of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), one of the leading banks in Austria. As a strategic investor, their primary focus is on growth investments in fintechs and related technologies in the CEE region. Leveraging RBI's expertise and network, Elevator Ventures aims to support and empower fintech startups and scaleups to expand in the region.
Angel Investors in Austria
Angel investors may act as an individual or as a syndicate to fund projects of their preference, so these networks are the best opportunity for you to find a potential Angel with an aligned vision and interests.
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: -
Invest.austria is a comprehensive platform aimed at connecting investors with Austria's innovators. They provide vital information and guidance to investors regarding angel investing, venture capital, and private equity activities in the country. They offer support throughout the entire process, from initial planning to project completion, ensuring a smooth and successful transition. The portal also informs businesses about future events, such as the IAA MOBILITY 2023 and the Swiss Medtech Expo, where they may present their services and network with potential partners.
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: -
The European Super Angels Club (ESAC) is a members-only investment club that helps ambitious entrepreneurs raise funding and build their businesses. ESAC specializes on six primary industries: AI, Cybersecurity, Digital Health, Reg- & Fintech, SportsTech, and Smart Mobility. ESAC's network connects entrepreneurs with partner funds and prominent corporations around Europe, providing assistance throughout the investment process, including due diligence and investment research. ESAC aspires to support the growth of Europe's future digital giants by providing capital, a European network, access to professional investors, and mentorship from industry professionals.
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: -
Danube Angels is an investor network that provides funding for entrepreneurs in the late seed/early stage. They provide access to investment options for entrepreneurs aiming to build their businesses, with an emphasis on the DACH and CEE regions. Their ticket sizes range from EUR 50,000 to EUR 500,000, and enterprises must satisfy specific conditions, such as having first clients and turnover, being situated in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, or Croatia, and being prepared to diversify their shareholder structure. Founders can profit from marketing potential, service potential, and access to a greater number of investors by working with Danube Angels. The network also provides continuing assistance to help startups prosper.
Closing Thoughts on VCs and Angel Investors in Austria
Austria's startup ecosystem is thriving, drawing both domestic and foreign entrepreneurs due to its excellent circumstances for conditions for innovative developments and ample financing opportunities. The thriving environment in the nation is supported by a well-developed early-stage financing framework that includes state funding, angel investments, and venture capital firms. Notably, major corporations such as Qualcomm and Sanofi have lately purchased Austrian technology enterprises, emphasizing the appeal of Austrian entrepreneurs. With record investments and famous unicorns like GoStudent and Bitpanda emerging, Austria's startup ecosystem shows tremendous potential for the future, presenting the country as an appealing location for investors and a hotbed for innovative advancements.
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