Support programmes for companies in Germany and Austria
To support the competitiveness of companies, the federal governments in Germany and Austria have launched their own funding programmes. Among other things, these programmes support investments in sustainable IT measures. Find out here whether you too can take advantage of funding for your IT project!
KMU.DIGITAL
KMU.Digital promotes individual consulting for Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by certified experts. Funding is then also provided for the implementation of your digitisation projects with the help of new investments in the areas of:
- Business models and processes (incl. resource optimisation).
The development, introduction and improvement of products, services, processes and business models through digital applications is promoted. In addition to the classic ERP functions of WinLine, this includes modules such as CRM, SMART, WinLine mobile, ARCHIVE, BI - Report Management and BELEG PRO. - E-commerce and online marketing
Funding is provided for the digital transformation of the sales and distribution process, the introduction and further development of digital B2B or B2C applications or the implementation of innovative and data-based online strategies. - IT and cybersecurity
Funding is provided for the introduction or improvement of IT and cybersecurity measures and processes as well as the establishment of an information security management system. - Digital administration
Funding is provided for measures that are required by the company to use digital administration.
Status and potential analyses are subsidised with a grant of 80% of the consultancy costs (maximum 400 euros), more comprehensive strategy consultations with a grant of 50% (maximum 1,000 euros). In total, you can have several consultations funded up to a total of 3,000 euros.
In the case of implementation funding, investments in digitisation projects of between 3,000 and 30,000 euros are funded with up to 30% (but limited to a maximum of 6,000 euros).
The digitisation offensive KMU.DIGITAL is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Economic Affairs (BMAW) in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) and is refinanced by the European Union.
You can find detailed information at www.kmudigital.at.
GO DIGITAL
The go-digital funding programme supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and craft enterprises that want to optimise their business processes with the help of digital solutions, in a service- and customer-oriented, efficient and secure manner.
In the process, SMEs are assisted by consulting firms authorised by the BMWK, which provide them with expert advice and support in the implementation of innovative measures to set up or expand modern IT systems. These consulting firms relieve the SMEs of all formalities - from the application for funding to proof of use.
The advisory services and the concrete implementation of coordinated measures follow these five modules:
- Digitalisation strategy
- IT security
- Digitised business processes
- Data competence
- Digital market development
Consulting services are funded at a rate of 50 percent on a maximum daily consulting rate of 1,100 euros (excluding VAT). The maximum funding amount is 16,500 euros. The beneficiary SME only bears its own share. The funding amounts to a maximum of 30 consultant days in a period of up to 6 months.
Detailed information can be found at: www.innovation-beratung-foerderung.de
DIGITAL JETZT
To enable SMEs to exploit the economic potential of digitalisation, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the programme "Digital Now - Investment Support for SMEs". The programme offers financial grants and aims to encourage companies to invest more in digital technologies The programme contains two funding modules.
- Support module 1: "Investment in digital technologies".
This module supports investments in software and hardware, especially for the internal and external networking of the company. Funding is provided for investments in digital technologies and related processes and changes in the company. This includes in particular hardware and software that promote the internal and external networking of companies, for example under the following aspects: Data-driven business models, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud applications, big data, sensor technology, 3D printing as well as IT security and data protection.
- Funding module 2: "Investment in employee qualification".
This module supports companies in further training employees in the use of digital technologies. Funding is provided for investments that improve the qualifications of the company's employees - especially in the development and implementation of a digital strategy in the company as well as in IT security and data protection, but also fundamentally on digital working and the necessary basic skills.
Important: Companies can apply for funding in one or both modules.
The maximum funding amount is 50,000 euros per company; for investments of value chains and/or networks it can be up to 100,000 euros per company. The funding subsidy is calculated proportionally to the investment costs of the company.
The funding rate (in % of the investment costs) is graduated according to the size of the company:
- Up to 50 employees: up to 40
- Up to 250 employees: up to 35
- Up to 499 employees: up to 30 %.
Thus, smaller companies receive a slightly higher percentage subsidy.
Detailed information can be found at: www.bmwk.de
You can also find out about special local write-off and funding opportunities in the IT sector.