Self-Employed in Austria (SEA) is both a platform and a community dedicated to empowering English-speaking individuals who want to become self-employed in Austria. Our mission is to provide comprehensive resources, a supportive network, and peace of mind when it comes to administrative and tax-related matters.

\ While employment regulations in Austria are clear and well-managed for employees, the landscape for self-employment is a complex maze that can be overwhelming for many aspiring entrepreneurs, especially non-German speakers. Through our guidebooks, webinars, expert consultations, and events, we aim to simplify this process and help English-speaking individuals thrive. By addressing the unique challenges faced by self-employed individuals, we aim to make the journey smoother and more accessible.

\ SEA is the product of a one-person company, SEA - Services for the Self-Employed, founded by someone who, like many foreigners, faced significant struggles when starting her self-employment journey in Austria. When Marta began in 2014, she was confronted with a lack of accessible information in English, leading to anxiety, stress, and confusion. Key institutions communicated mostly in German, and important resources were scattered across multiple websites. Instead of focusing on doing what she loved, she had to navigate complex regulations and bureaucracy alone, which took several years, and many sleepless nights. Another major challenge she faced was isolation. Back then, she couldn’t find any community of foreign self-employed individuals in Austria, which added to the stress of not knowing where to find help or advice. The absence of a community made the journey even more difficult.

\ Today, in 2024, while Austria does offer some resources in English for those looking to become self-employed, these are still limited compared to what is available in German. Key institutions like the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) provide basic information in English, but their more detailed guides, forms, and legal documents are often only available in German. This creates a significant language barrier, making it challenging for non-German speakers to fully grasp the legal, tax, and business processes.

\ That's where SEA steps in. The platform was created as a one-stop resource where individuals interested in self-employment can find everything they need, in English —from articles and step-by-step instructions written by experts to a community forum with expert support, events like webinars and workshops, and occasional in-person meetups. SEA also offers access to specialized guidebooks and other resources, all designed to help English-speaking entrepreneurs succeed in Austria.

\ All of these resources are available through an affordable monthly or annual membership. SEA fills the gap, offering clarity and confidence to those trying to understand Austria's complex systems and helping them focus on what they love rather than getting lost in bureaucratic details.

What Sets Your Startup Apart From Other Business Startups?

What makes SEA unique is its focus on a niche group—English speakers trying to understand self-employment in Austria. Our platform was born out of real-life struggles, and we provide not only guidance, but also a community that helps individuals feel supported - we have a community on Facebook, WhatsApp, and the platform’s forum. Our guidebooks are updated annually by experts, ensuring that our members have the latest information available.

What Have Been Your Proudest Accomplishments Thus Far?

Our accomplishments include growing our community to over 13,000 members on Facebook and establishing SEA as a trusted resource for self-employment in Austria. Additionally, the launch of our new platform in 2022, which includes membership options, a forum, and expert support, has been a significant milestone in offering more personalized help.

What Lessons Have You Learned?

One of the most valuable lessons we've learned is that community and clarity are critical. Navigating the complexities of regulations and taxes in a foreign country can be overwhelming, and our mission is to simplify that process. We focus on delivering resources in a clear, digestible format while creating a supportive space where members can share and learn from one another's experiences.

\ We also learned that it’s crucial to stay flexible and adapt our business and products to meet the actual needs of our community. We’re constantly refining how we present information, always seeking better ways to simplify and adapt. We now focus on crafting a variety of products and membership tiers, we want to make sure that everyone can find exactly what they need, no matter where they are on their self-employment journey.

Why Did You Decide to Participate in HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year Event? What Would It Mean For Your Startup if You Won?

We got an email that we’ve been nominated, and we decided to embrace it and showcase the importance of supporting foreign self-employed in Austria, especially English speakers who face additional challenges. Winning would mean gaining more visibility for SEA and being able to help more individuals on their journey.

What Future Plans Do You Have for Your Company? Where Do You See it in the Next Years?

In the next years, we envision SEA expanding into a go-to platform for self-employed individuals in Austria, with more resources, different digital products, job platforms, professional profiles for our members, online courses, new partnerships, and translations of our resources to other languages.

How Has the Business Sector Changed in Recent Years? How Do You Believe It Will Change in the Future?

We notice that now, compared to 2014, more individuals seek remote work opportunities and self-employment. This is why SEA is committed to enhancing its tools and support systems.

\ Unfortunately, we don’t see the situation regarding English-language resources in Austria improving anytime soon. This reality underscores the importance of our role within the community. While the self-employment sector may be evolving, we recognize that many English-speaking individuals still face significant challenges dealing with the complexities of starting and managing a business in Austria. Therefore, we remain dedicated to providing comprehensive support and resources for the English-speakers.

Any Closing Words?

At SEA, our mission is to make self-employment in Austria accessible, simplified, and stress-free. We believe in empowering individuals to pursue their entrepreneurial goals with confidence. If you vote for us in the 2024 Startups of The Year Awards, you will help us reach and support more people who want to become self-employed in Austria.

:::tip Welcome to HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year 2024 interview series, spotlighting startups from around the world that are changing the way we live, one solution at a time. If you’ve been nominated, create a brand profile and answer these questions here.

\ Want to nominate a startup? Follow the steps here.

\ Looking for inspiration? Check out how other startups responded to last year’s Startups of The Year interview questions and examples of company responses here, here, and here.

:::

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