« Private capital must be mobilized for start-ups »-Diepresse.com
The economy is in difficult times. Experience should be promoted right now, says Michael Tojner. People should be able to invest and settle up to 20,000 euros in start-ups-a measure that « does not cost much, but sets a sign for the Austrian economy ».
Austria’s entrepreneurs are under pressure. And not only since yesterday. The Austrian economy will shrink the third year in a row, like the WiFo and that Ihs only announced a week ago. There is only a view of an upswing in 2026.
As if the recession wasn’t enough, US President Donald Trump also imposed tariffs against everyone and everyone this week. This also applies to Austria’s economic output and will Add a damper to growth.
« There are also opportunities where there are challenges, » said entrepreneur Michael Tojner On Friday in a press conference on the edge of the Business Case Challenge Day (BCC Day) 2025 at the economic university (WU) Vienna. The BCC Day is an initiative between the WU and Explore!a funding initiative in the Austrian university sector with the aim of bringing research and entrepreneurship closer together, the tojner co-initiated alongside the B&C private foundation.
Two to three difficult years
« Two to three » difficult years would be imminent, says Tojner. From his point of view, the strengthening and cultivation of entrepreneurship. « Austria practically does not exist in international entrepreneurship, » he says. That urgently has to change. What is missing is the capital market, the entrepreneur finds – not only in Austria, but throughout Europe.
Mobilize capital
An idea of counteracting the difficult time: a tax investment allowance of 20,000 euros in the event of capital increases for companies. « Taxpayers should be allowed to deduct the amount from their tax return. » That would « ignite a turbo that doesn’t cost much and sets a sign for the Austrian economy ».
Roof fund
A wish that has been out of the start-up scene for a long time. « There is not too little capital, it is only located on savings books and is not activated for innovative ideas, » says Hannah Wundsam, co-managing director of Austrian Startups. Although the support is well developed in Austria, funding is often not enough to develop a company in the long term.
A “roof fund for Austria” is cited in the government program of the new federal government. An idea that wonders greeted very much. The fund is said to be « to mobilize national and international risk capital for start-ups, scale-ups and spin-offs » and make it easier for Austrian companies to get to growth capital. The creation of a venture and private equity hub is also considered. The idea is not yet specified. (smart)
