Funding for emerging markets: opening up new markets and developing international projects

Would you like to tap into new growth markets or turn a technology into a concrete international project opportunity? The ICS supports you from initial orientation to the right next step.

Map of Africa with person icons

New Markets, Different Rules

Emerging markets open up new opportunities for growth, market entry, and international projects. At the same time, market conditions, financing, and local frameworks often differ significantly from established export markets.
 
What matters most is where your company currently stands and what you want to achieve next: Do you want to enter a new market and specifically expand your international activities? Or do you already have a concrete technology or project idea that you’d like to develop into an international venture?
 
For both starting points, we offer you the right path with DiGEM and Fit 4 Global Projects.

What would you like to achieve?

Why emerging markets?

3.8% growth

More momentum.

Many emerging markets are growing faster than established markets.

Millions of new customers

New demand

Rising incomes are creating new target groups for products and services.

Billions in investments

New projects

Infrastructure, energy, and technology are driving new business opportunities.

Two paths, suited to your project

Not every international venture starts at the same point. Some companies want to enter new markets, while others want to develop a specific project idea further. There is a suitable path for both starting points.

Alexandra Kohrgruber, Lisa-Maria Katholnig, and Abigail Garcia from the DiGEM project

DiGEM – Digital Gateway Emerging Markets | Funding for market entry and expansion

DiGEM supports Styrian companies in entering new growth markets and expanding existing market activities. The offering ranges from an initial potential check, through individual consulting and hands-on training, to targeted preparation of specific internationalization projects.

For selected companies, 75% of the costs of eligible external consulting services can be covered.

This program is a good fit for your project if, for example, you:

  • want to analyze and enter new emerging markets,
  • want to professionally prepare market entry, localization, or sales structures,
  • want to build or further develop digital or AI-supported processes for your international business,
  • want to attract international skilled workers or strengthen intercultural skills.

 

Discover DiGEM for my project

Not sure yet which path is right for you?

Not every international venture can be clearly classified right away. Our experts will work with you to clarify where your company currently stands, what goal you’re pursuing, and what support makes sense for the next step.

Karin Hölbling, ICS

Karin Hölbling

Head of EU Projects

T +43 316 601 776 M +43 664 8179274 E karin.hoelbling@ic-steiermark.at
Lisa-Maria Katholnig, ICS

Lisa-Maria Katholnig

DiGEM Project Management

T +43 316 601 417 M +43 664 8179376 E lisa-maria.katholnig@ic-steiermark.at

Frequently asked questions

With DiGEM, the ICS offers Styrian companies support for projects in emerging markets. For selected companies, 75% of the costs of eligible external consulting services can be covered.

For more complex international investment or technology projects, Fit 4 Global Projects offers training, mentoring, and project development

DiGEM – Digital Gateway Emerging Markets is an ICS project co-financed by the ERDF for Styrian companies with internationalization ambitions in emerging markets. It combines a Fit Check, personal consulting, training, trade missions, and 75% direct funding for selected external consulting services.

For selected companies, 75% of the costs of eligible external consulting services can be covered. Companies bear at least 25% of the total costs incurred themselves. Whether a project is eligible for funding is assessed in the DiGEM selection process.

The process starts with the Emerging Markets Fit Check. This is followed by personal export consulting and an action plan. The results of these steps form the basis for selection for individual coaching funding.

Fit 4 Global Projects supports Austrian companies, particularly SMEs, in developing and implementing international projects in partner countries. The program combines hands-on training, individual mentoring, networking with players in Austrian development cooperation, and trade missions.

DiGEM is primarily relevant for market entry, internationalization, and subsidized external consulting. Fit 4 Global Projects comes into play where a concrete technology or project idea already exists and is meant to be developed into a more complex international investment or technology project.

Yes. Through the Fit Check, personal consulting, market analyses, and training offerings, companies can systematically assess the opportunities and risks of various growth markets and determine suitable next steps.

The ICS clarifies the goal, starting position, and support needs in a personal conversation. A decision can then be made as to whether DiGEM, Fit 4 Global Projects, other funding consulting, or another ICS offering is the most sensible next step.