Green Startupmark
Austria's New Pilot Region for Startups
The Green Startupmark project aims to establish an innovation ecosystem in Upper Styria by 2028. High school students, college students, and researchers receive financial and technical support as they work toward launching their sustainable businesses. Green startups are supported in their growth, and regional businesses are supported in their green transformation.
Motivation and Target Region
Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant challenges for Europe and the entire world. With the European Green Deal, the European Union is striving for a comprehensive transition to a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. The ambitious goal is to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
The Green Startupmark project is intended to make a significant contribution to a climate-neutral economy in Upper Styria. To support the region’s transition to a sustainable economy, the European Union is providing funding for regional economic development through the Just Transition Fund (JTF). Through the Green Startupmark project, approximately 6 million euros will be allocated to Upper Styria.
"By supporting innovative and sustainable business ideas, the region's potential continues to be realized. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved!"Clara Ibold (Project Manager, Green Startupmark, Green Tech Valley Cluster)
The project focuses on eastern and western Upper Styria (the districts of Bruck-Mürzzuschlag, Leoben, Murau, and Murtal) as well as the Graz area and Deutschlandsberg. These regions, characterized by a strong industrial sector with significant potential for CO₂ reduction, offer great potential for startups and technological innovations in line with the European Green Deal due to their role as centers of higher education and industry.
"Together with our strong partners and with the support of EU funding, we are promoting innovations that drive the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy."Stefanie Wieser (Project Manager, Green KAIT Kapfenberg)
The goal of the Green Startupmark project is to establish a dynamic innovation ecosystem in the regions mentioned by 2028. The aim is to foster synergies between startups, regional companies, research institutions, and network partners in order to attract regional talent to innovative, green startups.
What kind of support can you expect from the Green Startupmark?
The Green Startupmark is based on five pillars that systematically support aspiring green entrepreneurs, startups, and corporations in the target region throughout the various phases of their development:
- Green Incubator: Creating a creative meeting place and workspace for aspiring entrepreneurs and startups on the campus of the Montanuniversität Leoben, with a focus on innovation and green technologies
- Startup Combo: High school students, college students, and researchers have the opportunity to combine their project ideas/theses with the development of a green business plan; in return, they receive financial support in the form of a scholarship and are intensively supported in developing their green startup concepts through mentoring and various workshops offered by Green KAIT Kapfenberg and ZAT Leoben.
- Green Incubees: Founders in the pre-launch phase (so-called Green Incubees) receive the best possible guidance in this pillar for the development, optimization, and implementation of their green business model concept; they are connected with suitable experts and mentors and can take advantage of subsidized consulting services (e.g., on business models, IP protection, marketing, and sales). Green Incubees can include members of the startup team as well as high school students, college students, or researchers with a green business idea. This support is offered by the project partners Green KAIT Kapfenberg and ZAT Leoben.
- Consulting Support: Here, selected green startups and regional companies are supported with subsidized consulting services to facilitate, for example, green growth, corporate-startup programs, or startup launches. This is managed by the project partner Green Tech Valley Cluster.
- Green Startup Support: This pillar encompasses support for aspiring entrepreneurs, green startups, and incubatees at all stages of their development. This includes, for example, raising awareness, consulting, and training, as well as engagement with and networking among key stakeholders. Various event formats are being established for this purpose and will be organized jointly on an ad hoc basis by the project partners Green KAIT Kapfenberg, ZAT Leoben, and Green Tech Valley Cluster.
Pulling Together
"The Green Startupmark supports green, innovative entrepreneurs in developing their ideas into successful startups or spin-offs, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development."Angelika Hierzer-Königsberger (Project Manager, Green Startup Center Leoben)
The Green Startupmark project was initiated and led by the Styrian Economic Development Agency (SFG), which is contributing its expertise in building ecosystems as well as its skills in location development and management to the project. Operational implementation is carried out by the project partners FH JOANNEUM with the Kapfenberg Accelerator & Incubator for Green IT (Green KAIT Kapfenberg), the Montanuniversität Leoben, the Center for Applied Technology Leoben (ZAT Leoben), and the Green Tech Valley Cluster. Within the Styrian Economic Development Agency (SFG), the project is part of the Startupmark initiative, which aims to further develop the Styrian startup ecosystem and raise Styria’s profile as an attractive startup location both nationally and internationally.
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