More spin-offs.

More Innovation.

More Impact.

Spin-off Austria is a national initiative that supports universities, researchers, founders, investors, and policymakers in translating research into successful businesses.

SPIN-OFF AUSTRIA CONFERENCE 2026 - OCTOBER 14TH IN VIENNA - DETAILS TO FOLLOW

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

€16.1 Mrd.

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.

401.934

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.

31

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 2024. 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.

Spin-off Austria Initiative

The Spin-off Austria Initiative was launched by Hermann Hauser and Herbert Gartner – two renowned Austrian investors.

Its long-term aim is to strengthen academic entrepreneurship in Austria and raise awareness that entrepreneurship is a key role of universities, universities of applied sciences, and research institutions, alongside research and teaching.

AplusB, the network of Austrian tech start-up incubators that has been successfully dedicated to supporting research spin-offs and academic start-ups since 2002, took over the initiative in 2023 and continues to run it.

Our Mission

We foster an environment where academic spin-offs can emerge, grow, and thrive by connecting academia, industry, investors, and policymakers through knowledge sharing, collaboration, and dialogue.

Connect

Strengthening dialogue and collaboration between the academic world, business, politics and the innovation ecosystem

SHARE KNOWLEDGE

Providing data, international best practices and insights

IMPROVE FRAMEWORK

Advocating for better policies and conditions for academic entrepreneurship

BUILD THE COMMUNITY

Supporting the Austrian start-up ecosystem through conferences,partnerships and collaboration

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

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 Österreich”

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