Austria is making an important move to support startups and innovative companies by planning the creation of Dachfonds — a fund of funds that will invest in venture capital and private equity funds. This project, included in the government’s 2025 program, aims to mobilize national and international capital to improve financing for startups, scale-ups, and scientific spin-offs.
What is Dachfonds?
Dachfonds is a fund-of-funds model that collects capital from institutional investors — such as pension funds or government organizations — and channels it into private venture funds. The goal is to provide Austrian companies with access to growth capital, which is essential for scaling their businesses and entering international markets.
Leading Candidates to Manage Dachfonds
Currently, two main candidates are being considered to operate the Dachfonds:
Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH (aws) — a public financial and investment institution with existing experience managing venture funds. It is seen as the frontrunner due to its specialization in early-stage startup financing and innovation project management.
Österreichische Beteiligungs AG (ÖBAG) — an independent holding company managing a portfolio of major state-owned assets. While its primary focus is managing investments in large corporations, it is also being considered as a potential operator of Dachfonds.
The creation of Dachfonds could mark a turning point for Austria’s economy. The country currently faces a shortage of venture capital, which limits the growth potential of startups. Dachfonds will enable the attraction of significant resources and channel them into innovative companies, strengthening Austria’s position as a European hub for technology and entrepreneurship. Regardless of which operator is selected, the fund promises to become a powerful tool for supporting startups and scale-ups by providing them with the financial resources necessary for growth.
