Startupmark

Stories

We are true to our word: We need people who don’t just wait for the future to unfold, but actively help shape it—especially when it comes to developing and implementing entirely new business ideas. Through the Startupmark Think Tank, we actively drive forward topics relevant to new business ventures and startups. The think tank therefore consists of individuals who have helped shape the Styrian startup scene in recent years and who bring expertise and know-how for innovative business startups.

In addition to Provincial Councilor Barbara Eibinger-Miedl and SFG Managing Director Christoph Ludwig, the think tank includes Bernadette Frech (Insta Communications GmbH), Gernot Pagger (IV-Steiermark), Gerd Holzschlag (SFG), Georg Zenker (ZEN 11 Holding GmbH), Maximilian Seidel (Situlus Holding GmbH), Dagmar Eigner-Stengg (GründerCenter Steiermärkische Sparkasse), Manfred Kink (SFG), Alexander Bäck (pantarhei), Nina Zechner (IV-Steiermark), Martin Mössler (Science Park Graz GmbH), Thomas Krautzer (University of Graz), and Andreas Kinsky (Cowen Germany AG) participate in the regular Think Tank.

This exchange among founders, thought leaders, experts, and investors offers the opportunity to gain a broad and diverse perspective on the needs and concerns of startups and to identify trends at an early stage. Building on this, long-term, tailored funding, support, and services can be designed as the startup ecosystem evolves.

Startup Stories

arterioscope-Gründer (v.l.): Hermann Moser (CEO), Vahid Badeli (CTO) und Sascha Ranft (CSO)

The Styrian company was honored at the 2026 Minerva Awards. Founder Katharina Feiertag received the “Shooting Star” award. The SFG supported the startup through the “Ideen!Reich” and “Welt!Markt” funding programs.

A sustainable energy supply from renewable sources depends heavily on storage capabilities. Ecolyte is currently working on a sustainable revolution in this area.

The technology company AVL and the Graz-based startup ARTI Robots are developing a modular system to make tractors driverless. This allows both new and existing machines to be equipped with autonomous driving capabilities regardless of the manufacturer and without major modifications.

Taceo has already won over several key figures in the international crypto and tech scene with its product—including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. In a recent seed funding round, the company has now secured an investment of $5.5 million.

cyclebee is an all-in-one tool for cycling enthusiasts that provides information on route maps, elevation profiles, road surfaces, and bike path networks, making it easy to professionally plan and document cycling trips. It also benefits from startup and internationalization funding from the SFG.

A truly unique Styrian installation: an innovative technology module is deployed in settings such as spas, boutique hotels, yachts, and pop-up events, creating a meditative oasis in an increasingly noisy and fast-paced world.

The investment in smaXtec by the international heavyweight KKR is also a huge success for the Styrian startup ecosystem. From its founding at Graz University of Technology to global success—smaXtec and Styria are proving what a positive economic ecosystem can achieve.

The American business magazine Fortune recognizes Graz as a leading emerging hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe.

Life sciences affect us all. And they require long development cycles, significant capital, and even more expertise. How the Graz-based spin-off BRAVE Analytics navigates this balancing act and what support it relies on.

The Graz-based company Aurox has developed another innovative product in the field of anti-aging: Temprastones. Fifteen seconds of targeted heat and cold are designed to naturally lift the skin around the eyes.

CIS member Georg Wanker Industrial Design wins the "Grand Prix" at this year's BIG SEE Product Design Award for "Flasher." The BIG SEE Award is presented annually in Ljubljana.

When it comes to environmental and recycling technologies, you should take a look at Upper Styria. That’s where the elite of the green high-tech scene is based, encouraging researchers to leave the lab and start their own businesses. Among them is Markus Bauer and his startup, Circulyzer.

The Graz-based life sciences startup NORGANOID cultivates cell tissue to test drugs and therapies. At ZWT, life sciences companies like this one find the ideal infrastructure for growth, reports founder Charlotte Ohonin.

We have all come to realize in recent years just how important it is to develop drugs quickly. SimVantage’s technology significantly accelerates the development of new active ingredients.

Find a convenient ride-share to work quickly and easily while doing your part for climate protection. That’s how greendrive got started. Today, the company operates throughout the DACH region and even in Kenya, where it is testing digital ticketing with the goal of rolling it out here soon.

AI in the barn: The Styrian sensor system smaXtec is in use internationally, from the U.S. to the U.K. and New Zealand. Farmers, animals, and the environment all benefit equally.

From the Baltic Sea to the Graz Science Park: RobotDreams CEO Ulrich Weigelt on their revolutionary AI-based system for diagnosing heart attacks and Styria as their new home for startups.

The university spin-off Enzyan equips bacteria with DNA blueprints so that they can produce custom-made enzymes that do not occur naturally. The result: an efficient and sustainable process for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

„Busfinder“-Geschäftsführerduo: Andreas Konrad und Christoph Berdenich

The coach booking platform “busfinder,” based in Raaba-Grambach, has brought new investors on board, including SFG. Investments in the mid-single-digit millions of euros have been made to support further expansion.

Sustainability is a top priority for the digital campsite finder “Schau aufs Land.” By listing campsites on farms, the app aims to foster greater communication between providers and travelers.

The Graz-based company Eologix manufactures sensor systems for measuring the surfaces of wind turbines (ice detection, temperature measurement, etc.) worldwide. Its recent merger with the Australian company Services Pty Ltd. combines resources and increases efficiency.

Yacht on the sea from top view. Turquoise water background from top view. Summer seascape from air. Travel concept and idea

Seasy is a booking platform for sailboats and motorboats looking for berths in marinas and yacht harbors. With 10 million page views, the Graz-based startup of the same name is filling a real gap in the market.

How this Graz-based startup is turning the world of logistics upside down and saving millions of tons of CO2 by tackling the problem of empty truck runs.

Thomas Zipper bei einer Testfahrt mit Fahrradanhänger.

What might transportation look like in the future? With its modern electromechanical brakes designed to make cycling safer, stop-in-time is turning a long-held vision into reality. The journey from an innovative idea through prototype development to production.

The European answer to “ChatGPT”: Leftshift One, a Styrian pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI), is currently launching a data-privacy-compliant and transparent AI service for businesses, modeled after the well-known U.S. chatbot. The company is currently receiving growth capital to support this initiative.

Contact Persons

Katharina Menzel

Projektmanagerin Standortentwicklung & Standortmanagement

+43 316 7093 303

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Doris Paier

Projektmanagerin Standortentwicklung & Standortmanagement

+43 316 7093 312

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