KMU.DIGITAL: Available Again

What to expect in this issue

• Deep Dive - Available again: KMU.Digital
• StartMatch News - Our customers are misusing our tool!
• FörderRadar - New and expiring grants

🤿 Deep Dive: Available Again - KMU.DIGITAL & KMU.DIGITAL & GREEN

The KMU.DIGITAL funding program supports Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises in planning and implementing digitalization projects in a structured way - from analysis to concrete investment.

The program consists of the modules Consulting and Implementation and is time-limited (Consulting until 31.12.2027, Implementation until 31.12.2028).

Consulting Module: Entry and Strategic Preparation

In the Consulting module, SMEs are supported in analyzing their current level of digitalization and in developing a digital strategy.

Consulting is funded in the following areas:

• Business models and processes
• E-commerce, online marketing & social media
• IT and cybersecurity
• Digital administration

Additionally, the KMU.DIGITAL 4.0 & GREEN funding track is available, addressing digitalization measures with a focus on sustainable transformation (Twin Transition).

Funding in the Consulting module:

• Status & potential analyses: 80% subsidy of consulting costs, max. EUR 400 per tool
• Strategy consulting: 50% subsidy of consulting costs, max. EUR 1,000 per tool
• Maximum EUR 3,000 subsidy per funding track and company

Implementation Module: Putting Digitalization into Practice

In the Implementation module, concrete digitalization projects are funded. A prerequisite is that a funded consultation within the KMU.DIGITAL program has been completed beforehand.

Eligible costs include in particular:

• Capitalizable new investments (tangible and intangible investments)
• Services from external providers such as programming activities or software licenses
• Comprehensive digitalization packages related to the investment

Funding in the Implementation module:

• 30% subsidy of eligible costs
• Eligible project costs between EUR 2,000 and EUR 30,000 (excl. VAT)
• Maximum EUR 6,000 subsidy per funding track (available once each for KMU.DIGITAL 4.0 and KMU.DIGITAL 4.0 & GREEN)

KMU.DIGITAL 4.0 & GREEN: Digitalization with a Sustainability Focus

A dedicated funding track is available for digitalization projects that contribute to the Twin Transition.

The project must contribute to at least one of the following areas:

• Energy efficiency
• Circular economy & resource conservation
• Mobility
• Procurement & supply chain
• Communication & strategy
• Internal business processes

The sustainability contribution must be confirmed at the time of application and billing.

What Is Particularly Important for SMEs?

• The Implementation module is only available after prior KMU.DIGITAL consulting
• Funding is awarded chronologically based on order of receipt
• There is no legal entitlement to funding
• Projects must be implemented and billed within 12 months

🗞️ StartMatch News: Our AI Tool Is Being Repurposed! And We Think It's Great

Originally, we set out to build "just" one thing:

A tool that enables grant applications to be created faster, more structured, and collaboratively. For this, we developed a powerful AI editor that creates high-quality texts extremely quickly based on clear guidelines and example texts. No prompting needed and with a simple user interface.

We soon noticed something: There are countless routine tasks where texts need to be created repeatedly using the same templates and in the same style, such as ESG reports, financial reports, or exposés. Many of these are still largely created manually today.

More and more customers are approaching us wanting to use our AI editor for their own internal use cases, to accelerate exactly these processes.

The editor is being used for a wide variety of text formats and helps teams create and coordinate content significantly faster.

Some customers have told us that they now complete reports that previously took three to four working days in just a few hours, freeing up valuable time for other tasks.

For us, this is a clear validation of our approach: Building an easy-to-use AI editor that consistently follows guidelines, delivers predictable results, and can be used without technical know-how.

Curious?

If you want to know whether our AI editor is also suitable for your internal use cases, whether for reports, exposés, or other recurring text formats, feel free to write to us at robert@startmatch.ai.

I'd be happy to show you how the editor works and where it can save you time.

📡 FörderRadar: New and Expiring Grants

Important news about grants in Austria.

These Grants Are Open for Submission

Basisprogramm 2026
Open since 01.01.2026 - Submission deadline 31.12.2026

Basisprogramm Kleinprojekt 2026
Open since 01.01.2026 - Submission deadline 31.12.2026

Impact Innovation 2026
Open since 01.01.2026 - Submission deadline 31.12.2026

Markt.Einstieg 2026
Open since 01.01.2026 - Submission deadline 31.12.2026

These Grants Are Expiring Soon

KIRAS/K-PASS Innovation
Submission deadline only until 30.01.2026

Best of luck with your projects!

Best regards,
Robert & your StartMatch Team 👋