They would definitely try it. Even in our Timeline they setup a Colonial Company out of Ostend. Just based on Wikipedia it was pretty profitable and carried quite a bit of volume despite being established a century after its main competition.
With the Austrian Habsburgs keeping the entire Netherlands (at least for a time, although I expect any Dutch Revolt that does occur will do so vastly differently) they'll probably be in the initial Colonial Rush. This will rustle some feathers, primarily with England, but without the absolute Behemoth that was Habsburg Spain they will still probably be more willing to work with Austria against France.
And yeah it will probably be flying under both the Habsburg Banner and the banner of whatever Province/City it is located in. I expect it will be referred to as the "Habsburg-Antwerpen Company".
With the Austrian Habsburgs keeping the entire Netherlands (at least for a time, although I expect any Dutch Revolt that does occur will do so vastly differently) they'll probably be in the initial Colonial Rush. This will rustle some feathers, primarily with England, but without the absolute Behemoth that was Habsburg Spain they will still probably be more willing to work with Austria against France.
And yeah it will probably be flying under both the Habsburg Banner and the banner of whatever Province/City it is located in. I expect it will be referred to as the "Habsburg-Antwerpen Company".