Startupmark

Welcome to Startupmark

Styria is Austria’s second-strongest startup region and a leader in deep tech: one in four startups is based there. Startupmark brings together resources to further develop Styria’s technology-driven startup ecosystem and raise its international profile.

Full support for startups and scaleups in Styria

“With Startupmark, we are bringing together the strengths of Styria’s innovative startup scene—to drive growth, increase international visibility, and create valuable jobs in Styria.”
Willibald Ehrenhöfer, State Minister of Economic Affairs

With their innovative technologies and new products, services, and business models, startups are a key driver of a forward-looking economy and bring progress, change, and jobs to the region.

Through the Startupmark initiative, launched by the Department of Economic Affairs and implemented under the leadership of the Styrian Business Development Agency (SFG), the regional startup ecosystem is being further developed in collaboration with relevant partners, creating a dynamic environment for innovative ideas. The goal is not only to identify and fill gaps in the region’s startup landscape but also to initiate new collaborations and connect key players in the startup ecosystem to best promote innovation in Styria. In short: Startupmark is taking the regional startup ecosystem to a new level.

What you can expect as a startup in Styria:

Access to an active network of science, research, industry, cluster organizations, universities, incubators, accelerators, and investors
Optimal support from the initial startup idea through to international scaling via the Styrian startup ecosystem
Targeted guidance on your entrepreneurial journey through grants, financing, international networking trips, access to infrastructure, consulting, and coaching

What you can expect as an investor from the Styrian startup ecosystem:

An above-average proportion of deep-tech startups and academic spin-offs across Austria that are driving technological development at the forefront
Startups with motivated teams and highly innovative technological business ideas focused on IT/software development, industrial technologies/production/hardware/electronics/electrical engineering, life sciences, energy, and mobility
Scalable business ideas: 47% of Styrian startups already generate revenue between 50,000 and 500,000 euros (Austrian average: 32%), and 14% generate revenue exceeding 500,000 euros—a clear sign that not only ideas but also viable business models are emerging here

Together, we are continuing to develop the Styrian startup ecosystem

“A startup is a young, growth-oriented company with an innovative idea and the drive to create something new. That’s exactly why Styria is the ideal place: it has a strong research base, a well-connected business community, and is open to fresh ideas. Anyone who starts a business here has the best chance of success.”
Christoph Ludwig, Managing Director of SFG

Styria is characterized by a closely integrated startup ecosystem in which all relevant partners—from universities to scientific incubators, cluster organizations, innovation and competence centers, and industry—work together closely and strategically. This strong collaboration among regional stakeholders creates a unique breeding ground for knowledge- and technology-based startups and is a key driver of innovation and growth in Styria. Startups benefit from the concentrated high-quality expertise, the short lines of communication between academia, business, and capital, as well as the strong cohesion within the startup scene.

Source: Austrian Startup Monitor 2024