Austrian business ownership and startup trends

Austria is experiencing significant shifts in its business landscape, characterized by both new entrepreneurship and a high volume of ownership changes.

In the eastern regions of Styria and Burgenland, there has been a surge in new business foundations. Styria recorded a record 2,791 new businesses in the first half of 2026, while Burgenland saw 805 new startups, an increase from the previous year. Most of these new ventures are sole proprietorships operating in sectors such as information technology, management consulting, and accounting.

Concurrently, the country has reached a historic high in business transfers. In 2025, 8,202 companies changed ownership, marking a 5.3 percent increase from the prior year and the highest level since 1998. This trend points toward a major generational shift, with an estimated 52,500 small and medium-sized enterprises expected to seek new owners by 2034. While family transfers remain common, there is an increasing role for external entrepreneurs, who are reportedly driving growth through increased turnover and investment.