Top Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Vienna, Austria

Vienna combines old-world charm with new business energy. The Austrian capital offers a growing startup scene built on the city's strengths in music, art, and science. With strong government support, excellent quality of life, and a central location in Europe, Vienna has become attractive for founders looking to build innovative companies.

This guide explores the leading accelerators and incubators shaping Vienna's evolving startup landscape. These programs support domestic and international startups seeking to establish themselves in the Austrian market.

Top 19 Startup Accelerators & Incubators in Vienna, Austria

1. INiTS High-Tech Incubator

Target Audience: Research and technology startups

Niche: Tech commercialization

INiTS is Vienna's leading high-tech incubator, helping researchers turn their ideas into businesses. It provides up to €100,000 in funding without taking control of your company. It offers programs like START:IP that help bring new technologies to market. It also gives startups consulting, training, and connections to grow their business.

2. Impact Hub Vienna

Target Audience: Social impact entrepreneurs

Niche: Social innovation

Impact Hub Vienna is part of a global network that helps startups focused on solving social problems. It provides mentorship from experts who understand both business and social impact. It offers workshops, networking events, and programs for different industries. It also connects founders with like-minded entrepreneurs and resources.

3. weXelerate Innovation Hub

Target Audience: Tech startups looking for corporate partners

Niche: Corporate connections

weXelerate is one of Europe's largest multi-corporate accelerators based in Vienna. It focuses on startups in AI, robotics, big data, and other tech fields. It provides free office space for four months and doesn't take any ownership in your company. It also offers mentorship and connections to large corporations looking for new innovations.

4. Elevator Lab by Raiffeisen Bank International

Target Audience: Financial technology startups

Niche: Banking innovation

Elevator Lab is a program Raiffeisen Bank runs to help fintech startups grow. It runs a four-month accelerator that connects startups with banking experts and potential customers. It offers mentorship from financial professionals who understand the banking industry and provides opportunities to work with one of Central Europe's largest banking groups.

5. Grow F by Female Founders

Target Audience: Women-led startups

Niche: Gender diversity in entrepreneurship

Grow F is a three-month program designed specifically for companies with diverse founding teams. It provides up to €50,000 in funding to help these startups grow. The program offers hands-on workshops and direct access to venture capital networks. It also creates opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the European startup scene.

6. Health Hub Vienna

Target Audience: Healthcare startups

Niche: Medical innovation

Health Hub Vienna is a specialized program supporting innovations in healthcare and medicine. It connects startups with major healthcare companies like AstraZeneca and Novartis. Rather than traditional investment, it offers paid contracts with corporate partners. It also provides expert guidance on navigating the complex healthcare industry.

7. Tech2b Startup Incubator

Target Audience: Technology entrepreneurs

Niche: Tech startup development

Tech2b is an incubator that helps technology startups in their early stages. It provides training programs and personalized guidance from experienced mentors. It offers free office space where founders can work and collaborate. It also connects startups with potential investors who can help them grow.

8. Science Park Graz

Target Audience: Technology-based startups

Niche: Science commercialization

Science Park Graz is a program supporting startups based on scientific and technical innovations. It provides structured programs with regular workshops and mentoring sessions. It offers opportunities for both public funding and private investment. It also helps founders turn complex technical ideas into viable businesses.

9. Legal Tech Hub Vienna

Target Audience: Legal technology startups

Niche: Legal innovation

Legal Tech Hub Vienna is a specialized accelerator for startups creating new technologies for the legal industry. It runs an 8-week "Fast Track" program to help legal tech companies grow quickly. It provides mentorship from over 500 legal experts who understand the industry and creates connections between startups and law firms looking for new solutions.

10. Agro Innovation Lab

Target Audience: Agricultural technology startups

Niche: Farming innovation

Agro Innovation Lab is a program that supports startups developing new farming and food technologies. It provides mentorship from experts who understand the agricultural industry and its challenges. It offers networking opportunities with farmers, food producers, and industry leaders. It also helps startups test and implement their solutions in real agricultural settings.

11. aws First Incubator

Target Audience: Early-stage startups

Niche: Government-backed support

aws First Incubator is a government-supported program helping startups in their beginning stages. It provides monthly payments to cover staff costs and grants for project expenses. It offers workshops and mentoring to help with common startup challenges. It also creates pathways to additional government support programs.

12. Elevate (by The Ventury)

Target Audience: AI startups

Niche: Artificial intelligence

Elevate is a four-month incubator program specifically for artificial intelligence startups. It provides €5,000 in initial funding with opportunities for additional investment. It offers coworking space and regular workshops on AI business development. It also organizes networking events that connect AI startups with potential partners.

13. Startup.Tirol

Target Audience: Tyrol region startups

Niche: Regional innovation

Startup.Tirol is a support program for tech startups in the Tyrol region near Vienna. It offers tailored mentorship that addresses the specific needs of each startup. It provides business plan development sessions with experienced advisors. It also creates networking opportunities within the regional business community.

14. Vienna Business Agency

Target Audience: Vienna-based entrepreneurs

Niche: Local business development

Vienna Business Agency is the city's main organization supporting startup development. It provides grants of up to €500,000 for innovative projects in various industries. It also offers mentoring programs, office space, and business development resources. It helps startups access international markets and expand beyond Austria.

15. Startup Live Vienna

Target Audience: Early-stage founders

Niche: Pitch events and networking

Startup Live Vienna organizes events where new startups can present their ideas to investors. It provides a platform for founders to receive feedback from industry experts. It offers mentorship during intensive weekend programs focused on business development. It also helps create connections that can lead to partnerships and investment.

16. Green Tech Cluster Styria

Target Audience: Environmental technology startups

Niche: Sustainable innovation

Green Tech Cluster is a program supporting startups focused on environmental and sustainability solutions. It connects green technology startups with established companies in the environmental sector, offers resources for developing and implementing sustainable technologies, and helps founders access funding for climate-friendly innovations.

17. Industry Meets Makers

Target Audience: Hardware and manufacturing startups

Niche: Industrial innovation

Industry Meets Makers is a program connecting innovative startups with traditional manufacturing companies. It helps bridge the gap between new digital ideas and established industrial expertise. It offers opportunities to develop prototypes with the help of manufacturing partners and creates pathways for implementing new technologies in industrial settings.

18. AustrianStartups

Target Audience: Austria's startup community

Niche: Ecosystem development

AustrianStartups is a community platform supporting the development of Vienna's startup ecosystem. It provides resources, events, and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs across the country. It offers guidance on navigating Austria's business landscape and funding options. It also works to improve conditions for startups through advocacy and education.

19. Pioneers Ventures

Target Audience: Early-stage tech startups

Niche: Technology investment

Pioneers Ventures is a venture fund and accelerator that supports promising early-stage tech companies. It invests between €100,000 and €500,000 in selected startups. It also offers mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and industry experts and connects founders with a global network of technology partners and investors.

AcceleratorApp's Closing Thoughts on Startup Accelerators and Incubators in Vienna, Austria

Vienna's uniqueness lies in its blend of traditional strengths with new innovation. The city's deep history in music, art, science, and medicine creates unique opportunities for startups in creative industries, life sciences, and cultural technology.

The startup support system in Vienna is particularly well organized, with clear paths for different types of companies. From government grants to corporate partnerships, entrepreneurs can find the right kind of help for their specific needs. The city also benefits from Austria's stable economy and social system, which provides a solid foundation for building new businesses.

As Vienna continues to grow as a startup hub, it's creating its own approach to innovation that values sustainability, cultural richness, and long-term thinking. For founders looking for an alternative to the high-pressure environments of other tech hubs, Vienna offers a place where startups can grow at a healthy pace while maintaining the quality of life that makes entrepreneurship worthwhile.