Chat with a robot: Vienna gives online advice to start-ups

Citizens can get information on what documents they need for their new businesses

The City of Vienna has initiated a new help programme for young business owners. Since mid-March, the so-called 'trade bot' has been providing information on trade law to help citizens who want to start a new business.

For example, you can ask the bot how to register a business, which forms you need to fill out, or how to register a new establishment. The chatbot can be found online under the heading "Commercial proceedings in Vienna" on the website of Vienna municipality.

Chatbots are becoming increasingly common

The chatbot's primary aim is to assist the Viennese who are starting a company for the first time. However, there is also information for established firms, such as those looking to move their headquarters. The Finance and Economic City Councilor Peter Hanke (SPÖ) stressed that the chatbot is also accessible outside of Vienna's civil administration's opening hours.

"Customer orientation is my top priority. From this point of view, I am extremely pleased that we are now offering another service for our citizens with the new commercial bot. They can now obtain information around the clock free of charge and use the chatbot. The successful results of the first few days show that we are on the right track with the new chatbot," said Councilor Hanke, pleased about the first trial period.

During the first 14 days, the bot was contacted 480 times and was able to answer 84 percent of the questions posed to it. If the robot cannot help, the entrepreneurs get human help from the Department of trade law, data protection and civil status at the City of Vienna (MA 63) and in the municipal district offices.

The online service is available 24 hours and citizens can have access to it with a good internet connection.