In recent years, we have witnessed a rapid development of the startup ecosystem in Slovenia and Austria. Cooperation between the Slovenian and Austrian startup ecosystems is essential as it brings many benefits, such as knowledge sharing, access to new markets, more funding opportunities, innovation and agility. Therefore, the event Collaboration between the Slovenian and Austrian Startup Ecosystems - A Win for Both, made possible by the Slovene Enterprise Fund and SFG, explored the potential of collaboration, highlighted a number of opportunities and gave us an insight into 13 Slovenian startups looking to expand to Austria in the future.
Stronger together
The event was opened by Maja Tomanič Vidovič, Director of the Slovene Enterprise Fund, and Christoph Ludwig, Director of SFG Austria, who emphasized that it is really important to work together as this is the only way to learn and share important information.
Maja Tomanič Vidovič highlighted why it is important to promote cross-border partnerships:
»Europe is striving to become the future powerhouse of the most innovative companies in the world. Further steps are needed to achieve this goal, especially in the areas of organization and stability. Cooperation between all Member States at global level is crucial. We need to see how we can strengthen and find synergies between Member States. The first step towards cooperation is to promote cross-border cooperation. This is the most effective and the most important. Why is that? Because our neighboring countries are similar. We face similar challenges, similar conditions, and similar ways of life, and of course, we are also close in distance and, I believe, in our way of thinking. So I think this is a good start to becoming a better organized European region for IT technology and innovative start-ups.«
Maja Tomanič Vidovič and Christoph Ludwig
Christoph Ludwig agreed with Maja and said that the key to the next steps is growth, which can only be achieved by getting to know each other and building more cross-border connections. We need to follow the motto 'Stronger together', because this is the only way to strengthen our companies, universities and research centers.
Accelerate your company's development and join one of the startup programs or clusters
Just one hour from Maribor, in Graz to be precise, we have witnessed a real economic breakthrough in recent years. Graz has become a real hub of research, innovation, high-tech production and cooperation at all levels. There are several renowned business accelerators and technology parks that help researchers, students and entrepreneurs realise their entrepreneurial dreams.
Austria's oldest high-tech incubator - Science Park Graz
Science Park Graz is Austria's oldest high-tech incubator and has a strong track record of creating some of Austria's strongest companies.
Startup and innovation hub - UNICORN GRAZ
A meeting point for students, researchers and anyone interested in starting a business.
Bernard Weber, Patrick Habernik, Martin Moessler, Thomas Mrak, Lorenz Schmolly
One of the most prestigious research centers for electronic systems - Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)
They are dedicated to developing future-oriented solutions for industrial manufacturing, health, energy, mobility and more.
"One-stop shop" for life sciences - ZWT
At ZWT, they understand that life sciences startups need excellent office and lab infrastructure and networking opportunities.
Join the most important industrial clusters in Styria
Recently, we have been reading more and more about industry clusters, which have a significant impact on accelerating economic growth, innovation, productivity and business development. One of the most famous clusters is certainly Silicon Valley, which has been attracting technology start-ups with famous business stories for decades. But the importance of clusters is also recognized in Styria, and at the event, we learned about five clusters that have a significant impact.
The Silicon Alps Electronic Cluster
The Silicon Alps Electronic Cluster is a public-private partnership that brings together stakeholders from industry, research, science and government to develop and position the Austrian electronic and microelectronics sector internationally, with a regional focus on Carinthia and Styria.
Silicon Alps Electronic Cluster
Human.technology Styria GmbH (HTS)
Human.technology Styria GmbH (HTS) is a cluster organization with a focus on human technology and is active in three strategic areas: medical technology, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, as well as health and sustainability.
Robert Gfrerer, Lejla Pock, Visnja Koscak, Kilian Silberschneider, Kerstine Draxler and Barbara Nussmueller
Holzcluster Steiermark
The aim of Holzcluster Styria is to support Styrian companies in the forestry sector on their way to success. The cluster has a wealth of expertise and knowledge of the sector.
ACstyria Mobilitätscluster
The ACstyria Mobilitätcluster represents a network of more than 300 companies in the automotive, aerospace and railway systems sectors - with more than 70,000 employees and a combined revenue of more than €17 billion.
Creative Industries Styria
Creative Industries Styria brings together the creative industries with the aim of improving and expanding efficiency and market performance.
13 Slovenian startups pitched their idea
At the event, we heard brief pitches from 13 promising Slovenian startups with solutions that are looking to enter the Austrian market in the future.
PRIoT & Yolanda
Klement Kralj from Remea
Maja Gselman from Centrum Cognitio
Co-founder of DTs HUB Darko Đurić
Startups Priot, Avirings, YFLab, Solar Intergrated, Pametna Tovarna, Dedisol, Biohacking Vital, Centrum Cognitio, Mover, Aircam and DTs Hub are among the recipients of incentives P2, SK75 or SI-SK from the Slovene Enterprise Fund. Find out more about the public funding resources made available here.
Networking
More photos can be found here.
A range of excellent Startup Plus programs
The Slovene Enterprise Fund also organizes a number of other top entrepreneurial programs for its portfolio companies, such as the Mentor Program, Push2Start, SK Growth Camp, Startup Clinic, Scaleupgrade Program, Podim Conference, Teambuilding, Sales Accelerator and many more. The content programs effectively complement the P2, SK75 and SI-SK financial products, which provide Slovenian startups with between EUR 54,000 and EUR 600,000 in start-up funding.
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Content support for recipients of P2, SK75 or SI-SK financial products under the "de minimis" scheme is co-financed from the Slovene Enterprise Fund and the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund. This is implemented on the basis of the Content Support for Funds Recipients (SMEs) Programme in the 2018-2023 period, under the Operational Programme for the Implementation of the European Cohesion Policy 2014-2020.
Tags
Startup
Sef
Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport
Startupplus
Double win
