Upper Austria's start-ups continue on the road to success
"Business start-ups are a key impetus for the further development of Upper Austria as a business location. Start-ups, in particular, provide new and innovative products, business models and services to refresh the economy in our province. It is therefore all the more positive that Upper Austria is proving to be a particularly good place for start-ups: On the one hand, this is once again confirmed by the current 'Austrian Startup Monitor', which rates Upper Austrian startups as particularly innovative and cooperation-intensive. On the other hand, nine startups that have successfully completed tech2b's 'Incubate' advanced program and have been awarded a diploma also prove this," emphasizes Markus Achleitner, Provincial Councillor for Economic Affairs.
"It is particularly important to us to support creative minds on their journey to founding and building their own company with our own startup programs. Our tech2b incubator, in particular, successfully supports startups in advancing and realizing their ideas. This is a significant contribution to strengthening Upper Austria as an innovation hotspot. Financing is also an important issue for startups. The State of Upper Austria, together with Upper Austrian banks, offers strong support through venture capital through the OÖ HightechFonds," emphasizes Markus Achleitner, State Minister for Economic Affairs.
“Austrian Startup Monitor” gives Upper Austrian startups a very positive review
Every year, the Austrian Startup Monitor evaluates the startup landscape in Austria. The recently published startup study for 2024 again rated Upper Austria very positively. The results at a glance:
- Upper Austria's startups demonstrate a particularly strong focus on innovation and a high level of cooperation with other companies, universities and research institutions.
- Furthermore, a particularly large number of Upper Austrian startups are already profitable. This is also reflected in the fact that Upper Austria is among the top federal states in investor ratings.
- At 67%, Upper Austrian startups have the highest proportion of companies operating in the business-to-business (B2B) sector in Austria, compared to around 64% in the other federal states. This underscores that Upper Austria, as a leading industrial state, offers particularly great potential for collaborations with startups.
- Compared to other federal states, Upper Austria continues to have the highest share of start-ups in the IT and software development sector at 44%. In the other federal states, this share is 33%.
- In addition, there are a disproportionate number of start-ups in the energy and mobility sectors: 9% in Upper Austria compared to 5% in the other federal states.
"These figures clearly demonstrate that Upper Austria has now developed into a particularly fertile habitat for company start-ups and startups. We want to continue to offer the best possible framework for this – firstly through tech2b support programs for the various phases from the founding to the expansion and further development of a company. Secondly, through targeted support with financing ," emphasizes State Councilor Achleitner.
tech2b: 557 projects managed & 350 company start-ups
"tech2b's diverse support offerings, with its different focuses on high-tech, med-tech, and green-tech, have proven to be a recipe for success. Over 100 qualified applications are received annually for the various startup programs. Our incubator actively contributes to their continued development. In its more than 20 years of existence, tech2b has supported a total of 557 projects. 350 companies have been founded, forming the spearhead of tomorrow's successful leading companies in Upper Austria. This simultaneously underscores the innovative potential and optimal framework conditions for founders in our state," emphasizes State Councilor Achleitner.
All-round support from startup incubator tech2b
Especially in the initial phase, support for innovative startups should be as intensive as possible. Our tech2b incubator offers comprehensive support here," explains State Councilor Achleitner:
- With its programs, tech2b supports founders in structuring their business ideas, developing them in a targeted manner, and implementing them on the market.
- From the early-stage incubation program “Ideate” to founding with “ Activate” and “Incubate” through Business 2 Excellence to networking with leading companies with “PIER 4” internationalization, tech2b offers all-round support on the way to becoming a successful Upper Austrian company.
Holistic support of startups as a key success factor for incubator tech2b
"Supporting start-ups means creating the right framework conditions so that ideas and companies can grow - and that's exactly what tech2b offers. With our Ideate, Activate and Incubate programs, we support startups in every phase, from the initial idea to the successful scale-up," explains tech2b Managing Director Raphael Friedl.
Upper Austria's startup landscape is growing – and tech2b ensures that innovative business ideas are successfully implemented with tailored support. The incubator's key success factor lies in its holistic support, which goes far beyond traditional funding measures.
In addition to a highly qualified team of experts with extensive expertise in various fields, tech2b offers 360-degree support, including strategic consulting, financial support, and customized training programs. " Thanks to our broad team, we have comprehensive expert knowledge within tech2b. This allows us to offer aspiring founders individually tailored support that addresses the specific needs of each startup. We accompany and support them in areas such as business model development, sales, financing, human resources, and marketing," explains tech2b Managing Director Friedl.
"Developments such as numerous spin-offs in the higher education sector or AI startups as a new field of strength demonstrate the impressive growth of the startup ecosystem in our state, which, despite the ongoing difficult general economic situation, is forward-looking proof of Upper Austria's unbroken innovative strength," says tech2b Managing Director Friedl.
Diploma for successful completion of the Incubate program
“Activate” and “Incubate” are tech2b’s two central offerings for startups:
- “Activate” is about developing a business model and founding a new company.
- Startups in "Incubate" have already completed these steps. This phase focuses on market entry, scaling, and growth—the next steps after a successful launch, so to speak.
- The duration of the Activate program is six months and the Incubate program is 15 months.
- During this time, the founders receive financial support and mentoring, and can access not only tech2b's comprehensive workshop and event program, but also the entire tech2b network—including expert knowledge, partners, and sponsors. In addition, tech2b provides infrastructure.
The Incubate program concludes with the tech2b sponsorship: "This year, the tech2b diploma honours nine promising start-ups and their contribution to Upper Austria as a business location. Their innovative products and services cover a broad spectrum - from AI-supported epilepsy early warning and digital twins for companies to drowning prevention and an innovative piano learning app," explains Provincial Councillor Achleitner.
Innovative Upper Austrian start-ups in front of the curtain: All successful Incubate graduates at a glance:
All 9 Upper Austrian startups that have successfully completed the tech2b Incubate program will receive awards. By awarding the diplomas, the province of Upper Austria and tech2b not only want to honor the startups themselves, but also highlight their importance for Upper Austria as a business location and thus encourage imitation.
AirMate FlexCo
The AirMate One is an innovative lifesaver T-shirt for children that detects swimming accidents using built-in sensors and inflates in seconds to save children's lives. Simply put it on and have carefree fun. www.airmate.at
Blankmile
Blankmile is a remote support platform that allows companies to see and solve technical problems quickly and easily from a distance - without any installation. Customers receive a link and are immediately connected to an expert via live video. Automatic translations facilitate communication, while the documentation records all important information. In this way, blankmile helps to reduce service calls, save time and increase customer satisfaction. blankmile.com/
cirqular pointcloud analytics GmbH cirqular wants to revolutionize the field of building analysis. To this end, the start-up automates the analysis of point clouds and specializes in understanding building data and transforming these point clouds into editable digital 3D models and plans. The technology is intended to enable precise and efficient recording and processing of building information, which should make work in architecture, construction and heritage conservation much easier. www.cirqular.ai/
FiveSquare GmbH
FiveSquare stands for state-of-the-art technologies, artificial intelligence and digital solutions made in Linz. The company started out with industrial projects, but now the 35-strong team is demonstrating its expertise in the fields of data science, digital innovations in AI and data-centric software solutions. They serve customers from the areas of critical infrastructure, banking, production, retail, energy, healthcare and the public sector, but also create their own AI solutions such as their LLM platform KARLI, which is hosted 100% in Austria. The goal: to create added value for our society through new technologies - AI by people for people. www.fivesquare.ai/
Magic Keys
Magic Keys is an innovative mixed reality app for learning the piano. Using special glasses, the user sees a superimposed virtual plane in addition to the real environment, on which the notes to be played are displayed - directly on the piano keyboard and in real time. The specially developed 3D notation system has many advantages over traditional sheet music and allows users to play simple melodies after just a few minutes. magickeys.app
Respory GmbH
Respory has developed a technology for the retail sector. Software is used to analyze the flow of movement in frequently visited areas. The whole thing happens without collecting any personal data. The tech start-up aims to help managers make important decisions regarding store efficiency and the competitiveness of their business. www.respory.com
voidsy gmbh
voidsy develops highly innovative, imaging inspection systems for the non-destructive testing of fiber composites. The patented process enables the fast and contactless detection of defects - directly in production or in service. With its technology, voidsy makes the invisible visible and ensures the highest quality and safety in aviation, automotive and many other industries. www.voidsy.com/
Get started with tech2b
Interested startups can take their idea or initial vision to the next level and apply for the Activate program. Further information is available at www.tech2b.at/activate .
Photo: Province of Upper Austria/Denise Stinglmayr
