BWSG

What BWSG does

BWSG (BWS Gemeinnützige allgemeine Bau-, Wohn- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft, registered cooperative with limited liability) is Austria's largest non-profit housing cooperative, founded in 1911 and operating across all nine federal states from Lake Neusiedl to Lake Constance. The group manages approximately 450 residential complexes housing around 65,000 residents, plus roughly 14,000 parking spaces, under a portfolio that combines subsidized rental apartments (Geförderte Mietwohnungen, including compact Smart-Wohnungen), free-financed owner-occupied condominiums (Eigentumswohnungen), commercial ground-floor space, and a rent-to-buy (Mietkauf) offering at the Brambilla project. Its core technology stack pairs sustainable construction (large-volume wood-hybrid methods at the Rote Emma project, geothermal, photovoltaic, energy communities) with an AI-driven heating optimization system delivered through partner Wohnio (€90–€125 in annual savings per apartment, sub-one-year payback) and a smart-living app co-developed with Pocket House for booking community spaces, mobility services, and shared facilities; tenants additionally access the daheim.bwsg.at service portal for maintenance requests and property management communications.

The business model operates on four revenue streams: recurring cost-rent on subsidized units supported by Austrian housing promotion funds (Wiener Wohnbauförderung contributed ~€35M toward the €90M Rote Emma investment), one-time sales of free-financed condominiums priced €269,000–€499,000, recurring parking leases at approximately €156.96/month, and recurring commercial space rentals (e.g., 13 commercial units in Bella Vista, a SPAR anchor in Rote Emma). Distribution runs through a hybrid direct-and-broker model — the bwsg.at website and regional property management teams split by state (Vienna/Burgenland, Lower Austria/Upper Austria, Styria/Carinthia, Salzburg/Tyrol/Vorarlberg) handle direct sales, while external brokers (Prime Immobilien, Kaufdeinhaus, MAST Immo) are appointed for ownership projects. The group's six wholly-owned subsidiaries (WBG Wien, BWSt Steiermark, VIAROSA Wohnpark, Bauwerk NLG, FSF Neunergründe Klagenfurt, Bauwerk Franzensbrückenstraße 7) provide construction, management, and regional operating capacity, and the organization reports no external parent, venture, or private equity backing — control rests with the cooperative's Aufsichtsrat under statutory supervision by MA 50 and the Österreichischer Verband gemeinnütziger Bauvereinigungen.

Name

BWSG

Legal name

BWS Gemeinnützige allgemeine Bau-, Wohn- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft, registrierte Genossenschaft mit beschränkter Haftung

Website

https://bwsg.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

BWSG is Austria's largest non-profit housing cooperative (founded 1911), managing approximately 450 residential complexes housing around 65,000 residents across all nine federal states. It delivers subsidized rentals, free-financed condominiums, commercial space, and parking through a portfolio blending sustainable construction (wood-hybrid, PV, geothermal) with AI-driven heating optimization and a smart-living app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Straße

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Rental Income — Funded/Subsidized Apartments: BWSG rents subsidized (geförderte) and smart apartments to tenants. These are cost-rental units supported by Austrian housing promotion funds. Renters are registered through the company's housing waiting list and application process.
2. Sale of Owner-Occupied Apartments: BWSG develops and sells free-financed (freifinanzierte) owner-occupied apartments (Eigentumswohnungen). Projects like Leo am Teich, Gretls Garten, Jonas am Feld, and Brambilla are sold at market prices (ranging from approximately €269,000 to €499,000 per unit). Sales are handled directly and via broker partners.
3. Parking Space Rental: BWSG manages approximately 14,000 parking spaces (Stellplätze) for cars and motorcycles across its residential properties. These are rented to residents and generate recurring rental income.
4. Commercial Space Rental: BWSG lets commercial premises (Geschäftsflächen/Lokale) in its ground-floor zones. For example, Bella Vista includes 13 commercial units, and the Rote Emma project includes a Spar supermarket and other retail tenants.
5. Rent-to-Buy (Mietkauf): The Brambilla project offers a rent-to-buy model where tenants pay a rent-prepayment (Mietzinsvorauszahlung) of €800 per m² plus a monthly gross rent. After 5, 10, or 15 years, they can purchase at a pre-agreed fixed price, with 100% of the prepayment and 75% of net rent payments credited.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BWSG is a non-profit housing cooperative that constructs, manages, and rents/sells residential units across all nine Austrian states. It provides subsidized rental apartments (Geförderte Mietwohnungen), free-financed owner-occupied apartments (Eigentumswohnungen), parking spaces (~14,000), and commercial premises. Beyond housing, BWSG integrates social facilities (kindergartens, senior centers, women's shelters), sustainable construction methods (wood-hybrid, geothermal, photovoltaic), AI-based heating optimization, and a digital service portal for residents.

Product overview

BWSG (BWS Gemeinnützige allgemeine Bau-, Wohn- und Siedlungsgenossenschaft) operates as a non-profit housing association established in 1911, managing approximately 450 residential complexes serving around 65,000 residents across all nine Austrian states. The company's product portfolio centers on subsidized rental apartments (Geförderte Mietwohnungen) with Smart-Wohnungen as a compact variant, alongside privately financed condominiums (Frei finanzierte Eigentumswohnungen) offered provision-free. Additional offerings include parking spaces (~14,000 managed), commercial spaces, and digital services such as the daheim.bwsg.at service portal and smart-living-App (developed with Pocket House) enabling facility bookings. Major current projects include Rote Emma (360 apartments in Kagran), Bella Vista (104 apartments in 3rd district), Leo am Teich (99 condos), Gretls Garten (118 condos), Jonas am Feld (148 condos), Brambilla (16 apartments + 4 townhouses with rent-to-own), Green Living Althofen (70 apartments, first Carinthia project), and Im Terrassengarten (285 apartments). Technology offerings include AI-based heating optimization via partnership with Wohnio and participation in energy communities for shared renewable energy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Geförderte Mietwohnungen (Subsidized Rental Apartments) Subsidized rental apartments funded by Austrian housing promotion programs (Wiener Wohnbauförderung), offering affordable cost-based rents for eligible low- and middle-income tenants.
• Smart-Wohnungen (Smart Apartments) Compact, affordable subsidized apartments designed for efficient space utilization, targeting singles and small households within the subsidized housing portfolio.
• Freifinanzierte Eigentumswohnungen (Free-Financed Condominiums) Privately financed condominiums sold at market prices (€269,000–€499,000) without subsidy requirements, marketed provision-free to owner-occupiers.
• Stellplätze (Parking Spaces) Approximately 14,000 parking spaces (cars and motorcycles) across BWSG's residential properties, including underground garage spots and EV-ready parking, rented to residents.
• Rote Emma (Residential Project) 360-unit subsidized residential project in Vienna-Kagran (191 BWSG units) with social/cultural amenities, built in wood-hybrid construction; includes women's housing (ro*sa, 44 units), kindergarten, VHS, and Spar supermarket.
• Bella Vista (Residential Project) 104 subsidized apartments plus 13 commercial units in Vienna's 3rd district; includes Smart-Wohnungen, intergenerational housing (Sollvill), 21 units for single parents (Verein Juno), photovoltaic, geothermal, and rainwater systems.
• Leo am Teich (Free-Financed Condominium Project) 99 free-financed owner-occupied apartments near Hirschstettner Badeteich in Vienna, with 2–11 floor heights, green roofs, EV-ready underground parking. Prices from €299,000 to €499,000. Provision-free.
• Gretls Garten (Free-Financed Condominium Project) 118 free-financed owner-occupied apartments near Badeteich Hirschstetten, Vienna, with private gardens, communal terraces, playgrounds, and four building blocks. Prices from €279,000 to €319,000. Provision-free.
• Jonas am Feld (Free-Financed Condominium Project) 148 free-financed owner-occupied apartments with 73 underground parking spaces, near Badeteich Hirschstetten and Berresgasse education campus, Vienna. Prices from €269,000 to €349,000. Provision-free.
• Brambilla (Rent-to-Buy / Mietkauf Project) 16 apartments and 4 townhouses near U3 Simmering station in Vienna, with rent-to-buy option (Mietkauf): Mietzinsvorauszahlung €800/m², gross rent from €1,056.59/month, purchase option after 5/10/15 years with credit of 100% prepayment and 75% of net rent.
• Im Terrassengarten (Residential Development Project) 285 subsidized rental apartments under construction in Vienna's 23rd district (Meischlgasse), part of a new city quarter, built in wood-hybrid construction.
• Green Living Althofen (Carinthia Residential Project) 70 free-financed cooperative apartments in Althofen, Carinthia, BWSG's first project in the state. Investment volume approximately €16 million. Completion expected early 2028.
• daheim.bwsg.at Service Portal Digital service portal for tenants and owners to submit maintenance requests, report damage, find property manager contacts, book facilities, and manage their BWSG housing account.
• Smart-Living App (with Pocket House) Mobile application co-developed with Pocket House that enables residents to digitally book community rooms, laundry facilities, mobility services (e-bikes, e-cars, cargo bikes), and access buildings. Deployed in Rote Emma and Bella Vista.
• Geschäftsflächen / Lokale (Commercial Spaces) Commercial premises and retail units located in ground floors of BWSG residential buildings, let to neighborhood retail and service businesses (e.g., Spar supermarket at Rote Emma; 13 commercial units at Bella Vista).
• Energiegemeinschaften (Energy Communities) Shared renewable energy programs allowing BWSG residents to share locally generated solar power through joint generation facilities (GEA), citizen energy communities, or renewable energy communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• €90–€125 per apartment per year energy cost savings through AI-based heating optimization (pilot at Hauffgasse complex)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• migracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWSG partnered with migra to develop the Rote Emma project in Vienna-Kagran — 360 funded rental apartments (191 by BWSG) plus extensive social, cultural, and community facilities. Total investment ~€90M, of which ~€35M from Vienna housing promotion. The partnership combines BWSG's non-profit housing development expertise with migra's social integration programs (ro*sa women's housing, kindergarten, VHS). General contractor: Strabag.
• Pocket HousecoreTechnology or IntegrationBWSG partnered with Pocket House to develop and deploy the smart-living app in Rote Emma and Bella Vista projects. The app enables residents to digitally book community spaces, washing rooms, mobility offerings (e-bikes, e-cars, cargo bikes), and access these facilities digitally. BWSG and Pocket House jointly won the 'Digitalpionier:innen der Wohnungswirtschaft' award at Real Estate Arena 2026.
• WohniocoreTechnology or IntegrationBWSG partnered with Wohnio (a Vienna-based startup with ~20 employees founded by Kevin Bauer-Hentschke) to pilot AI-based IoT heating optimization in the Hauffgasse residential complex. The system performs hydraulic balancing and continuous AI monitoring, achieving €90–€125 savings per apartment per year with less than 1-year payback. BWSG has decided to roll out the solution to further properties.
• StrabagcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrabag serves as the general contractor for major BWSG projects including Rote Emma (wood-hybrid construction) and the Terrassengarten project (285 funded rental apartments in Meischlgasse, 23rd district). Strabag's construction expertise enables BWSG's sustainable construction ambitions.
• WeissenseerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWeissenseer is a wood construction company that partnered with BWSG and Strabag for the construction of Terrassengarten in Meischlgasse. At the Wiener Töchtertag 2026, Weissenseer provided wood house building activities for participating daughters alongside Strabag.
• MischekminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBWSG partnered with Mischek to develop the Laa Viola residential project near the Austria Vienna football stadium (Horrplatz/Czeikestraße, 1100 Vienna). BWSG is building 31 rental apartments in this joint project.
• VoitlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoitl served as the construction partner for the Bella Vista project in Village im Dritten, Vienna. Voitl's technical director Hugo Haunold and construction manager Markus Wagenhofer participated in the project's official handover ceremony alongside BWSG's management.
• NOVOartminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNOVOart is an art and culture association that supported the installation of a mural by Bolivian artist River Claure on the BWSG residential building at Nordbahnstraße 51 in Vienna-Leopoldstadt. The artwork was part of the Klima Biennale Wien 2026, exhibition '(No) Funny Games'. NOVOart's Obmann is DI Franz Binderlehner, BSc, who is also the Chairman of BWSG's Supervisory Board — indicating close institutional ties.
• Prime Immobilien (broker)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrime Immobilien is a real estate broker partner for the Leo am Teich project. Broker Julian Kukacka is listed as the primary contact for prospective buyers. Sales are described as 'provision-free' (no buyer commission).
• KDH / Kaufdeinhaus (broker)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKaufdeinhaus (KDH) is a real estate broker partner for the Leo am Teich project, listed alongside Prime Immobilien. Broker Simone Unger Ullmann is listed as a contact. Sales are 'provision-free'.
• MAST Immo GmbH (broker)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMAST Immo GmbH is the real estate broker for the Brambilla project. Contact: Stefanie Vidovic. Sales include both rental and rent-to-buy options. The brokerage facilitates access to the 16 apartments and 4 townhouses.
• SPARminorOthersSPAR operates a supermarket branch in the ground-floor commercial space of the Rote Emma project in Vienna-Kagran, providing daily food retail amenities for the ~360 households in the complex.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Gesiba: Austria's largest non-profit housing cooperative in Vienna, operating tens of thousands of subsidized rental and ownership units. Directly comparable to BWSG in legal structure (gemeinnützige Bauvereinigung under WGG), target market, and product mix.
• WBS Wiener Bausysteme: Vienna-based non-profit housing developer constructing affordable housing units in the same market. Operates with a comparable subsidization model and target tenant profile.
• Familienwohnbau: Austrian non-profit housing developer focused on family-oriented housing with both subsidized rental and ownership offerings. Operates under the same WGG framework and competes for the same Wohnbauförderung subsidies.
• EBG (Ernst Benger Gemeinnützige Wohnungsgesellschaft): Austrian non-profit housing cooperative with Wiener Wohnbauförderung-funded projects and a comparable target demographic. Similar development pipeline and tenant base to BWSG in Vienna.
• Wohnbauvereinigung für Privatangestellte (WBV-GÖD): Large Austrian non-profit housing cooperative with a national footprint and similar gemeinnützige Bauvereinigung structure. Competes with BWSG in the subsidized rental and ownership segments across multiple Austrian states.
• Heimbau Wien: Vienna-based non-profit housing cooperative developing and managing subsidized and free-financed residential units. Comparable scale, target demographic, and product portfolio to BWSG's Vienna operations.

Broad incumbents

• CA Immobilien Anlagen AG: Austrian commercial real estate investor with comparable nationwide scale, but focused on commercial assets rather than subsidized housing. Provides a benchmark for institutional-scale Austrian real estate operations.
• Glorit: Austrian residential developer active in Vienna with comparable ownership and rental offerings. Competes for the same free-financed buyer/tenant market but as a for-profit entity rather than a non-profit cooperative.
• Wiener Wohnen: Vienna city-owned housing authority managing ~220,000+ subsidized rental units — the overwhelming incumbent in the same subsidized rental market where BWSG competes, but with city-direct scale and ownership.
• S IMMO AG: Listed Austrian real estate company with residential and commercial portfolios. Overlaps with BWSG in Austrian residential property but operates as a for-profit, publicly traded entity with a broader asset mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights10 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bws-gruppe
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BWSG