Funding for coworking spaces in Austria in 2025

Workplace funding in coworking spaces across Austria

The aws First Incubator programme run by Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) is aimed specifically at founders in Austria. It supports the development of innovative business ideas from the idea stage through to founding the company. Particularly relevant for coworking users: the cost of renting a workplace — in coworking spaces, workshops or maker spaces — is eligible too.

How much:

• A grant of up to 90 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum of EUR 49,000

• Gender bonus: where women hold at least 25 per cent of the shares, the grant can rise to as much as 100 per cent, or EUR 55,000

• In addition: innovation advice worth up to EUR 21,700 (non-monetary)

Eligible workplace costs:

• Renting workplaces in coworking spaces (including individual desks and shared offices)

• Office infrastructure, workshops, maker spaces

Conditions:

• No company founded yet, or founded no more than six months ago

• Before funding ends, the project may be carried out only in Austria

• Application through the aws application tool with a detailed project, cost and financing plan

Worth knowing:

Besides rent, the funding covers staff costs, material costs, third-party costs, travel costs and training and coaching through aws. Payment follows the submission of proof of project costs including original receipts.

Workplace funding in coworking spaces in Graz

The city of Graz supports founders through the coworking and commercial space rent funding guidelines when they rent commercial space or coworking desks. Small and micro companies founded no more than five years ago and based in the Graz city area may apply. The business model has to meet at least one of the following criteria: climate-friendly, innovative/creative, or socially sustainable.

How much:

• Rent funding: 50 per cent of net rent for a maximum of 12 months, up to a ceiling of EUR 5,000. Monthly net rents of up to EUR 12/m² are recognised; anything above that is not eligible.

• Coworking funding: 50 per cent of the flat usage fee (excluding tax) for a maximum of 12 months, up to a ceiling of EUR 2,500.

Further details in the city of Graz's official guidelines:

• Funding application for a coworking space

Workplace funding in Lower Austria

The professional group for management consulting, accounting and information technology (UBIT) at the Lower Austrian Economic Chamber offers its members funding for the use of coworking spaces. Hourly, half-day and full-day bookings of meeting rooms are funded; renting a permanent desk is excluded.

How much:

• Reimbursement of the full net invoice amount per unit of use, to a maximum of EUR 450 per calendar year per member.

Conditions:

• The funding is available only to members of the UBIT professional group in Lower Austria.

• The booking has to be made at a coworking space from the pool the group provides.

• After use, a copy of the invoice together with bank details has to be sent by email to ubit@wknoe.at within 4 weeks.

Example:

A member of the UBIT group books a meeting room for half a day and receives a net invoice of EUR 100. Once the invoice is submitted to the group, the EUR 100 is reimbursed to the bank account given. That member can claim further funding in the current calendar year up to a total of EUR 350.

Note that funding is only granted while the group's budget for it has not been exhausted. Further details on the website of the Lower Austrian Economic Chamber.

Further details on the funding:

• WKO information sheet

Workplace funding in Leoben

The city of Leoben offers the self-employed targeted support through funding for coworking spaces. The measure is intended to ease the burden on founders and sole traders by giving them access to modern workplaces in shared office environments. In doing so the city not only encourages flexibility and networking among the self-employed but helps invigorate the local economy.

How much:

50 per cent of net costs, to a maximum of EUR 125 a month

Funding period: at least 6 and at most 12 months

Conditions:

• Use of a coworking space in Leoben with at least 5 workplaces

• The contract has to have been concluded after 1 July 2023

• Payment is made quarterly on presentation of confirmation of payment

This funding makes flexible workplaces easier for the self-employed to access and supports the local economy.

Further details:

City of Leoben

Workplace funding in Klagenfurt

How much:

• In the 1st year: 50 per cent of the monthly net rent

• In the 2nd year: 40 per cent of the monthly net rent

• In the 3rd year: 30 per cent of the monthly net rent

• Funding covers a maximum of 40 m² for business purposes

• The funding runs for up to 3 years

Conditions:

• Companies from the creative industries

• Located in a workspace recognised by the city of Klagenfurt as a creative-industry shared office

• The company has to be small (fewer than 50 employees, annual turnover under EUR 10 million)

• Proof of a trade licence is required

Example:

A company rents 30 m² of office space at a monthly net rent of EUR 600.

• 1st year: 50 per cent funding → EUR 300 reimbursed a month

• 2nd year: 40 per cent funding → EUR 240 reimbursed a month

• 3rd year: 30 per cent funding → EUR 180 reimbursed a month

The maximum funding period is 3 years. If the lease ends early, a proportionate repayment may be required.

Further details:

Wirtschaftsservice Klagenfurt

Workplace funding in Vorarlberg

The professional group for management consulting, accounting and information technology (UBIT) in Vorarlberg offers its members funding for the use of coworking spaces.

How much:

Reimbursement of the full net invoice amount per unit of use, to a maximum of EUR 300 per calendar year per member.

Conditions:

• Who may apply: members of the UBIT professional group in Vorarlberg.

• Meeting room use: hourly, half-day or full-day use of meeting rooms for meetings with clients or partners, or internal meetings. Use can be in one block or spread over a period of at most 2 months.

• Workspace use (monthly agreement / fixed desk): members who offer specialist UBIT support on site can use a monthly agreement. Agreements resembling a tenancy (for example with a deposit or a minimum term) are excluded from funding.

How it works:

1. Choose a coworking space from the pool the group provides.

2. Agree the date and the offer you want directly with the provider.

3. The member pays the invoice.

4. Submit a copy of the invoice, confirmation of the transfer and bank details by email to bc@wkv.at within 4 weeks of receiving the invoice.

5. Once checked, the net invoice amount, or the maximum funding amount, is reimbursed to the bank account given.

Example:

A UBIT member books a meeting room for half a day and receives a net invoice of EUR 150. Once the required documents are submitted to the group, the EUR 150 is reimbursed to the bank account given. The member can claim further funding in the current calendar year up to a total of EUR 150.

Note that there is no entitlement to reimbursement once the maximum of EUR 300 a year has been reached or the group's budget for it has been exhausted.

Further details:

WKO information sheet

List of coworking spaces

Funding currently closed

(Closed) Nationwide funding: Raum.Hub.Space.IT_up!

The Federal Ministry of Finance launched the "Raum.Hub.Space.IT_up!" initiative to support innovative places to work and meet with modern digital equipment. The aim is to develop coworking spaces across Austria further and to improve the digital infrastructure of these workplaces in particular.

How much:

A maximum of EUR 85,000 per project for buying IT equipment, software and digital tools

Up to 75 per cent of costs are funded

Conditions:

• Applicants have to be small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

• The funding is intended for the digital equipment and networking of coworking spaces

• Applicants have to present innovative concepts for using flexible workplaces

More information and applications:

Raum.Hub.Space.IT_up! on the FFG website

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