The Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion on Wednesday presented a balance sheet for the last year and for the entire history of its existence. According to the figures, in 2023 the FFG moved a total of 4.9 billion euros, which flowed into business-related research and broadband infrastructure in Austria. The organization has achieved a record in supporting startups, scale-ups and spin-offs. A total of 103 million euros flowed into young companies.
EU Commission plans law to promote BioTech
“Important impulses for innovative projects”
“Investing in research means investing in the future,” said the two FFG managing directors Henrietta Egerth and Karin Tausz on Wednesday. “4.9 billion euros sounds like a lot – but that’s what it takes to remain internationally competitive and to overcome the current multiple challenges. The FFG’s funding provides important impetus for innovative projects that advance the modernization of the economy and make a lasting contribution to economic growth, prosperity and crisis resilience in and in Austria.”
Compared to the previous year, there were increases in research funding in various areas in 2023. In terms of direct FFG funding, the funds increased from 0.9 billion euros to 1.8 billion euros. Of this, 81 percent went to companies, nine percent to research institutions and seven percent to universities. There was also an increase in the research bonus to 1.2 billion euros compared to 1.1 billion euros in the previous year.
Carbon Cleanup: Linz recycling startup receives 700,000 euros in funding
Funding of 12.9 billion euros has been received since the FFG was founded
Since it was founded in 2004, the FFG says it has funded around 65,000 projects. The trend is constantly increasing; while only just under 1,000 projects were funded in 2004, there were more than 7,000 in 2023. The FFG supported a total of 60,000 companies and research institutions. There is a particular focus on SMEs and industry; they have so far received a share of around 72 percent of the funding. The total amount of funding in the history of the FFG is 12.9 billion euros. According to the latest financing agreement, the FFG has a budget of around 400 million euros for the years 2024 to 2026 (we reported).
“We have grown with the Austrian ecosystem of research and innovation. We are constantly working on developing and improving new instruments and formats. We have also built a strong national network with other funding organizations,” said Karin Tausz and Henrietta Egerth.
FFG: New financing agreement of around 400 million euros for 2024-2026
Focus on sustainable and digital transformation
103 million euros flowed into startups, scale-ups and spin-offs in 2023, more than ever before. The FFG’s focus in the startup sector is on the verticals DeepTech, GreenTech and Life Sciences. According to Startup Monitor, around 80 percent of the top 100 startups in 2023 have received funding from the FFG. The FFG focuses particularly on the sustainable, digital transformation of the economy. In 2023, a total of 581 million euros went to support climate-relevant projects. 1.1 billion euros were used to promote digitalization projects.
In addition, the organization also supports emission-free mobility, female empowerment, the expansion of the broadband network in Austria and space technology “made in Austria”. The FFG invested a total of 782 million euros in funding in broadband expansion in 2023. This means that the proportion of unprovided households has fallen from 17 percent to just eight percent.
Female dual leadership now leads the FFG
FFG “still has a lot to do”
In the area of emission-free mobility, the FFG invested around 370 million euros between 2022 and 2023, and a further 124 million euros are expected in 2024. In total, 500 e-buses, 3,000 climate-friendly commercial vehicles and 489 e-charging points have been added to the infrastructure network over the last two years. Austria also has a good annual balance in the SpaceTech sector in 2023. Domestic companies have generated a total of 209 million euros in sales, and around 150 players are active in this area in this country. Four ESA satellites with Austrian participation are also scheduled to launch there. Domestic technology is also on board for the maiden flight of the Ariane 6 launch vehicle.
This year, the FFG wants to maintain the level of funding in the various areas of recent years. “It is important to continue this success story and continue to contribute to ensuring that we achieve our goals as a business and innovation location and as a society,” concluded Henrietta Egerth and Karin Tausz. “We have been shaping the future for 20 years – and we still have a lot planned!”