Factsheet for measure
AT-2017-35/2682
–
Updated
– measures in Austria
SME Digital 4.0
KMU Digital 4.0
Background information
The original programme lasted from September 2017 until summer 2019. Back then, the consulting module could be funded with up to €4,000 and provided digitalisation checks, the analysis of innovative potential, targeted advice, and staff education and training. The implementation module could receive funding up to €5,000 in the total programming period.
The second phase of the programme lasted from October 2019 to September 2021, offering two modules: Status and potential analysis and strategic consulting. For the first module, the funding was limited to €4,000. For the second module, the limit was €5,000. The total costs of the project had to remain between €5,000 and €20,000. The investment should support the building of modernised digital infrastructures. It is eligible for Austrian small and medium-sized enterprises.
Content of measure
The programme aims to support the digitalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises by providing professional consultation and funding for innovative projects.
Started in May 2022, the third edition of the programme is now offering two modules:
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Status and potential analysis, whereby 80% of the consultation costs are funded by the state;
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Strategic consulting with a public funding of up to 50% of the costs.
For the first module, the funding is limited to €3,000. For the second module, the limit is €6,000. The total costs of the project must remain between €3,000 and €30,000.
For the third phase, the period of validity lasts until 30 June 2025 but is limited to the existing funding budget.
The budget in total is €10,0 Mio.
The goal of the programme is to raise the level of digitalisation in focus fields of IT-security, e-commerce, new business models and social media. The project is supported by Ministry for Digitalisation and Business Location (BMDW) in cooperation with the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) and the Digitalisation Agency (DIA).
Funding:
Austrian Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs (BMDW): funding, consulting
Austrian Economic Chambers (WKO)
Examples:
The first wave of the programme between 2017 and 2019 has helped many companies innovate their work and products. Few examples are KMT - Kunststoff-/Metalltechnik GmbH, Kunst-Steinmetz Pointner GesmbH, Gruber Electric GesmbH and others.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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03 October 2024
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The funding programme commenced its fourth round SME Digital 4.0 in May 2024.
This year's funds for consultancy funding and implementation funding for the ‘classic’ SME.DIGITAL funding programme have been fully utilised. It is therefore no longer possible to submit an application for the ‘classic’ SME.DIGITAL funding programme. Applications for ecologically sustainable transformation projects can still be submitted under the KMU.DIGITAL & GREEN funding programme. From the beginning of next year, funds will once again be available for the ‘classic’ funding programme.
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03 October 2024
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SME DIGITAL & GREEN
For the entire funding period until 2026, the programme will be expanded with the new GREEN funding line to include the important topic of the ecological transformation of SMEs with the help of digitalisation. This advisory and funding line includes measures that see digitalisation as a driver for a greener economy and thus create double benefits for the company as well as the business location.
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01 May 2022
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Started in May 2022, the third edition of the programme is now offering two modules:
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Status and potential analysis, whereby 80% of the consultation costs are funded by the state;
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Strategic consulting with a public funding of up to 50% of the costs.
For the first module, the funding is limited to €3,000. For the second module, the limit is €6,000. The total costs of the project must remain between €3,000 and €30,000.
For the third phase, the period of validity lasts until 30 June 2025 but is limited to the existing funding budget.
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Use of measure
According to the Ministry for Digitalisation and Business Location (BMDW), the first wave of the project met its goals. The project successfully enforced the modernisation of Austrian enterprises in a variety of areas like e-commerce and online marketing, business models and processes, and IT security.
As the Salzburg Economic Chamber has stated, the programme offered around 10,000 consulting sessions to 7,000 companies over the last two years in Austria
WKS 2020
.
The programme helps companies to recognise the benefits of digital technologies and implement modern solutions in their own company.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
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National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: Unknown
Involvement
Unknown
Views and reactions
Unknown
Sectors and occupations
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This case is sector-specific (only private sector)
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Economic area
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Sector (NACE level 2)
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J - Information And Communication
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J62 Computer programming, consultancy and related activities
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This case is not occupation-specific.
Sources
