More spin-offs.
More Innovation.
More Impact.
Spin-off Austria is a national initiative connecting universities, researchers, founders, investors and policymakers to strengthen academic entrepreneurship in Austria.
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Austria produces world-class research. But great research alone doesn't change the world.
Every day, researchers develop new ideas and technologies with the potential to improve our lives. But research only creates impact when it reaches society.
University spin-offs bridge this gap. They transform scientific discoveries into products, services and technologies that improve healthcare, protect the climate, strengthen industry and create economic growth.
Austria's Potential
€16.1B
RTI
The volume that the Austrian government and Austrian companies have invested in research and development in 2024. This corresponds to 3.26 % of the GDP. Austria remains at the top of the European rankings, behind Sweden and Belgium.
€104k
Students
The number of students in the academic year 2023/2024 in Austria. In 2024, Austria invested 38% more per student from primary to tertiary education than the OECD average.
11
University Spin-offs
According to the annual reports, this is the number of newly founded university spin-offs at public universities (without universities of applied sciences and non-university research institutions) in Austria in 2021. The output seems rather low when compared to the investment in students and R&D.
Austria invests heavily in research — but too few university-based companies are created.
That gap is why Spin-off Austria exists. We believe Austria's scientific excellence should translate into a thriving ecosystem of research-based companies.
What We Do
strengthen Austria's academic entrepreneurship ecosystem
Our Goal
1,000
spin-offs by 2030
Where research, entrepreneurship and policy meet.
Innovation happens when researchers, entrepreneurs, universities, investors and policymakers come together to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives and build new collaborations.
The Spin-off Austria Conference creates exactly that space.
Each year, the Spin-off Austria Conference brings together the people shaping the future of academic entrepreneurship in Austria.
14th October 2026
Spin-off Austria Conference 2026
- Vienna, Austria
- Details to follow soon
Voices
Those who believe in Austria's potential
"I welcome the Spin-off Austria Initiative and its efforts to promote the “Third Mission” in addition to Teaching and Research at Austrian Universities and Technical Colleges. The Third Mission deals with the Translation of Research to the benefit of society. This should not end with the publication of great research papers but must include the application of the findings to real world problems like climate change, electrification of transport, and making our industry more efficient and producing less waste. A key part of the translation process are Spin-offs and I hope this initiative can contribute to a rapid acceleration of the formation of Spin-off Companies from Austrian research institutions."
Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen
Federal President of the Republic of Austria
"As a medical doctor, it has always been central for me to transfer the knowledge from science to business. This is the only way to create new treatments and medications. Since 1990, I have been working at the University of Mainz, where I found an excellent environment that enabled me to found several spin-offs. The most well-known is BioNTech, which launched the first vaccine against Covid-19 in cooperation with Pfizer. I joined the Spin-off Austria Initiative committee because I am convinced that Austria needs sustainable structures to provide founders with the opportunity to create interesting companies. In this context, I am happy to offer my international expertise."
Prof. Christoph Huber
Co-Founder, BioNTech
"Austria’s universities, research institutions and enterprises are investing 12.1 billion euros in the field of research and development each year. This shows that Austria is amongst the most innovative countries with thousands of scientists, researchers and engineers. Therefore it is surprising that our country does not have more university spin-offs and startups dealing with science and deep tech. All we need is political will and business drive to launch these socially and economically beneficial companies."
DI Herbert Gartner
Initiative Committee Member
"We wanted to achieve breakthroughs in drug development that would make a tangible difference for patients. And we both have seen several times that this can't be done without becoming entrepreneurs."
Dr. Özlem Türeci
Co-Founder & CMO of BioNTech SE
WHO WE ARE
Committee & Team
LISA SPÖCK
Federal Spokeswoman for AplusB
Dr. Michael Hähnle
Deputy Federal Spokesman for AplusB
DI Herbert Gartner
Co-Founder & CEO eQventure
In cooperation with
