Join GO AUSTRIA and kick-start your startup in Europe
Start your European expansion with "A" like Austria and explore what opportunities and chances this ecosystem holds ready for you. If you are a later-stage startup, a pioneer in the area of Deep Tech, based in GIN's target regions or India and ready to expand your business to Europe, apply now for the GO AUSTRIA Spring 2026 program!
Digital onboarding program: April 14 - May 7, 2026
On-site program in Vienna, Austria: May 18 - May 22, 2026
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Accelerate your startup
GO AUSTRIA Spring 2026 is a market exploration and access program in Austria for later-stage startups from GIN's target regions and India with a Deep Tech focus. The program gives you the opportunity to find new collaboration partners and prepares you and your company for your market entry.
For this program, we are inviting startup delegations from our target regions (Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, India) to Austria's largest startup festival - ViennaUp.
The key benefits of our program include the personal service of our delegation leads and mentors who will provide ideal support for your first market exploration. Additionally, you will have the chance to connect with the whole ecosystem at various events, like Connect Day - the main matchmaking event for startups, corporates and investors of ViennaUP.
Application deadline:
March 01, 2026
Announcement of selected applicants:
March 24, 2026
Digital onboarding workshops:
April 14 - May 7, 2026
On-site program in Vienna:
May 18 - May 22, 2026
Managed by:
Initiated by:
What to expect
The program provides a great first touchpoint with the Austrian startup ecosystem and personal support in the most liveable city worldwide.
This is the perfect chance for you to take the next step and pitch your innovative solution to relevant audiences, meet potential partners and create meaningful connections to set foot in the heart of Europe.
Cost coverage & complimentary services by GIN
By joining the program, you will benefit from the following support:
- Flight reimbursement (max. EUR 1,500)
- Accommodation reimbursement (max. EUR 180/night)
- Entry to relevant events with local corporates and startups
- Access to a co-working space
- Group mentoring
- Workshops
- Travel costs within Austria
Each selected startup has to nominate one person participating in the whole program. Typically, this will be one of the co-founders or senior executives responsible for your company's internationalization strategy.
For the on-site program, GIN covers the costs for one person only. You can bring a second person along, yet the cost will have to be borne by your company.
Why Austria?
Why not start right in the heart of Europe, in the world's most liveable city, Vienna? There are lots of reasons to fall in love with Austria, from winter sports to beautiful nature, from delicious pastry and wine to classical music and rich cultural activities.
Luckily, there are also great reasons to do business in Austria, such as easy access to the entire German-speaking region (~100 million people across 6 countries) and to Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), highly innovative corporates in a variety of industries open to collaborating with startups, phenomenal access to talent, exceptional support for R&D and economic performance well above EU average.
What are we looking for?
Startups
We are looking for later-stage startups with an innovative Deep Tech solution suitable for foreign markets. Your product or service should already be commercially available and your traction should be strong enough to impress potential customers, partners or investors at the other end of the world.
Focus countries
The program is geared towards startups headquartered outside of the EU, from GIN's target countries: Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Mainland China, Singapore, South Korea, India.
Participants
Participants should be founders, C-level executives or seniors with decision-making power regarding the startup's internationalization strategy. We strongly encourage female founders to apply. Attendees are expected to be fluent in English.
Key dates
of the program
Application phase
While we review submissions on an ongoing basis, you have time to complete your application until March 1. You will not need much more than your pitch deck (in English) and approx. 10-15 min. of time - so why not start right now?
Selection process
Over three rounds, a jury of Austrian and international experts will select the startups for the current batch.
Announcement of selected startups
You will be notified of the outcome of the selection process earliest this day.
Digital onboarding phase
Prepare for your upcoming stay in Vienna. We will assign you with your delegation lead and mentor. Both are experienced experts in expansion topics and in supporting you to get deep insights into the Austrian ecosystem.
On-site program in Vienna, Austria
Visit Vienna with many individual meetings and cool networking & social events, incl.:
- Participation and pitching opportunity at the Connect Day - the main matchmaking event for startups, corporates and investors of the ViennaUP.
- An exclusive social program with welcome drinks, networking, farewell lunch etc.
Expand your business
Expand your business to Austria and other European countries, with further support services (GO AUSTRIA Follow Up & GO AUSTRIA Plus) tailored to your needs and provided by GIN and other Austrian government agencies.
You get a trusted partner with GIN
The Global Incubator Network Austria (GIN) is the connecting link between Austrian and international startups, investors, incubators and accelerators with a focus on selected hotspots in Asia.
GIN is a program initiated by the Austrian Federal Government, managed by the public funding agencies Austrian Promotional Bank GmbH (aws) and Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), and financed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy, and Tourism (BMWET).
What’s in it for you?
Meet investors and business angels
Get expert guidance in navigating the dynamic and promising markets of Austria and Europe.
Enter the Austrian and European markets
Benefit from professional guidance and insights to enter the diversified and high-potential markets.
Participate in tailor-made workshops
During our exclusive on-site program in Vienna, you will take part in tailor-made workshops with highly skilled experts.
Expand your network and engage with corporates
Network with investors and like-minded Austrian and European startups. Exchange your ideas with our corporate partners.
Make the most of expert mentoring
Work with extremely well-connected experts to develop your internationalization plan.
Work on your business model
Tailor your business model to the specific needs of the Austrian and European markets together with top experts.
Still have questions?
We’ve got you covered.
Within the application period, you can apply via the promoted link. Approximately two months before the program starts, a jury of experts will select startups to be invited to participate in the program.
- Ideally no more than 10 years in business
- Already raised money once (excluding founders money)
- Scaling or operating in Asia
- Minimum Viable Product/Service with Traction
- Market potential: product/service suitable for foreign markets
- Resources: capacity to cooperate internationally
whataventure systematically builds new and investable business models with a team of hands-on entrepreneurs. whataventure provides support to GIN Go Austria in the pre-selection and set-up phase and is therefore present in earlier stages.
Got questions? Contact us
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Join our program and
accelerate your business
We give you the opportunity to explore the Austrian and European markets, to find new collaboration partners, and to prepare your company for your first market entry.
