Grant Programs
Innovation Grants
qubitec specialises in innovation grants. Discover the most important grant programs for innovative technology projects in Austria — and find out which one is best suited for your project.
Innovation Grants vs. Investment Grants
| Criterion | Innovation Grants | Investment Grants |
|---|---|---|
| What for | Research & Development (R&D), technological innovations | Tangible assets, machinery, equipment, modernization |
| Core theme | Technological risk — it is unclear whether the project will technically succeed | Implementing known approaches — simply „doing“ a project |
| Typical agencies | FFG, WAW, SFG, aws (R&D programs) | Economic development agencies, digitalization vouchers, investment subsidies |
| Criteria | Genuine R&D (e.g. Frascati) — novelty, technical uncertainty, knowledge gain | Economic viability, regional impact, jobs |
| Example eligible | Development of a new AI algorithm | Purchase of a CNC machine |
| Example not eligible | Purchase of standard software | Development of a new process optimization method |
Innovation grants fund technological frontiers. Investment grants fund making the known better — e.g. new machinery, digitalization of processes. For innovation grants, R&D, technical novelty and development risk matter. For investment grants, capital expenditure, jobs and regional impact count. For innovative tech projects in Austria, innovation grants (FFG, WAW, aws, etc.) are usually the right lever.
What is R&D (Research and Development)?
R&D comprises systematic activities that lead to new knowledge or new applications. In funding practice, a distinction is made (according to Frascati):
- Basic research — Knowledge gain without direct application focus (typical for universities)
- Applied research — Knowledge for concrete practical purposes
- Experimental development — Development of new products, processes or systems under technical uncertainty (what most startups do)
R&D means: You work on something where it is still unclear whether it will work. Not routine engineering where the path is clear. Funding bodies (FFG, WAW, etc.) pay for technological risk — not for „normal“ software development or assembly of known components. If you already know how to build it, it is generally not eligible R&D.
What is the Frascati Manual?
The Frascati Manual (OECD) is the internationally used standard for defining and delimiting R&D. Austrian funding bodies (FFG, WAW, aws) use it implicitly or explicitly as a benchmark.
- Basic research, applied research, experimental development
- Clear distinction — What is R&D, what is routine engineering, what is market innovation (which counts little in the evaluation)?
The Frascati Manual (OECD) defines what counts as research and development. For Austrian funding bodies it is the central reference. Two questions decide: (1) Is there genuine technological novelty? (2) Is there genuine technical risk — can the project fail technically? Product or market innovation alone is not enough. Quote from an FFG reviewer: „The product innovation is all well and good, but — don't get me wrong — we're not interested in it for the assessment.“
What counts as innovation (in grants)?
In innovation grants, technological innovation counts, not market or product novelty. Key: Is there an unsolved technical problem? Is there technical development risk? Those who merely build an app or aggregate data without their own technological risk are usually not eligible. Those who develop a new algorithm, run their own AI training or work at technical frontiers, however, are.
| What counts | What counts little |
|---|---|
| New algorithms, new technical approaches | "First product of its kind on the market" |
| Open technical questions | Innovative business model |
| R&D methodology, experimental design | New customer segment or sales channel |
| Risk of technical failure | Pure market differentiation |
| Progress beyond state of the art | Enhanced customer experience |
Eligibility check:
Can the project fail technically? → If yes: potentially eligible.
Do you already know every step to build it? → If yes: generally not eligible (engineering, not R&D).
Testimonials & Success Stories (Standard Engineering → Innovation)
LeadMetrics
Read story →Starting point
Tracking platform, standard web stack — too little „Deep Tech“ for FFG.
Transformation
Together with qubitec: From analysis to AI prediction (LSTM, Computer Vision, NLP); use case „Women in MINT“; from a reporting tool to an eligible R&D project.
Result
FFG grant approved; startup also became more attractive to VCs.
"As a tech startup at the intersection of marketing, software development and AI, our vision is complex. qubitec immediately grasped the nuances of our AI roadmap. That was real sparring with direct value. The result is a successful FFG grant."
Antemia
Read story →Starting point
TU Graz spin-off with MBSE editor — for funding bodies initially "just" another drawing tool (standard engineering).
Transformation
Focus from "modeling" to "optimizing"; new core module "Digital Twin Optimizer" with Graph Neural Networks (GNN), NLP; technical targets e.g. real-time (<200ms).
Result
SFG Ideen!Reich (6-figure), additional FFG approval; positioning as AI innovation leader instead of just a cheaper alternative.
"Johannes actively co-shaped our innovation in the technical call: The shift from a pure modeling tool to an intelligent assistant with Graph Neural Networks was the key. qubitec is far more than an agency for us — a technological sparring partner."
Is your project eligible for funding?
In an initial call we clarify which grant programs are suitable for you.
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