High-tech startups: What does Austria offer that others don’t?
Austria is considered a leading country for AI and quantum technology and offers a research-friendly environment. The startup scene is growing dynamically.
Austria's high level of education facilitates the search for highly qualified specialists. The English-language master's program in AI at Johannes Kepler University Linz, for example, ensures that the country will continue to produce many AI talents in the future. Innsbruck, in turn, is considered a center of internationally renowned experts in the field of quantum computing. At the same time, the excellent quality of life helps attract international talent.
As a business location, Austria offers the best conditions for attracting motivated employees and driving innovation. But that's not all: There are also extensive funding opportunities for startups here.
The government is contributing innovation-friendly framework conditions and funding programs, such as a 14 percent research premium. The Flexible Capital Company (FlexCo) has been created as a corporate form suitable for startups. The government program envisages an Austrian fund of funds for startup investments, which is intended to mobilize venture capital from national and international sources.
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The “AI Factory Austria” initiative, funded by the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU), is building a state-of-the-art computing infrastructure with a budget of 80 million euros, which will enable small and medium-sized companies to train complex AI models.
Researchers from the academic environment receive financial and operational support on their way to establishing their own company through programs such as “The Spinoff Factory” and initiatives such as “Noctua Science Ventures”.
The German quantum computing startup planqc, a pioneer in the development of quantum computers and a spin-off of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, has established its first subsidiary in Innsbruck. The company considers the Austrian research landscape in the field of quantum technology to be world-leading, allowing it to benefit from a strong talent pool.
Munich-based management consultancy Alexander Thamm has established itself as one of the leading European leaders in the fields of AI, data science, and big data. According to Thamm, the company has chosen Austria for additional locations, among other reasons, due to the country's high level of technology acceptance and access to excellent talent.
Anyone interested in learning more about the potential Austria holds for startups and companies now has the perfect opportunity: The Viennese company WeAreDevelopers hosts the annual WeAreDevelopers World Congress in Berlin. The congress, held from July 9 to 11, 2025, is the world's leading event for developers, AI innovators, and technology leaders. The Austrian Business Agency (ABA) will also be present, offering free advice on Austria as a technology and research location.
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