Startup-Hub Villach

The economic region of Villach is characterized by its technological focus and strength. With Infineon Technologies investing 1.6 billion euro in the region and a Silicon Austria Labs site Villach has become a special place on the European technology map. Established, globally active major companies such as 3M, Imerys, Flowserve or Lam Research characterize the diversified economic structure, as do innovative small and medium-sized enterprises in the technology and service sectors.
 
Villach Technology Park (TPV) and the High Tech Campus Villach (HTCV) are considered to be the heart of the high-tech hub of the Alps-Adriatic region. The strategic objective is to gather companies, teaching, research & development in one location to allow for maximum exchange and to enhance innovation potential. The hub focuses on the areas of (micro-)electronics, renewable energy, mechatronics, geoinformation as well as suppliers and service providers associated with these technologies. Other major organizations of the hub are the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, the extra-university research center Silicon Austria Labs (SAL), the competence center for automotive and industrial electronics (KAI) as well as companies like as Intel, the company network of the Silicon Alps Cluster and the build! Business Incubator.
 
The Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) focus on Electronic Based Systems (EBS) and are located at the High Tech Campus Villach. There, they find easy access to technology companies, research and educational institutions as well as start-ups. Electronic Based Systems are components, assemblies and devices with micro- and nanoelectronics and embedded software. They are the technological backbone of digitization and thus the foundation of intelligent products and processes in the areas of Industry 4.0, Internet of Things (IOT), Autonomous Driving, Cyberphysical Systems (CPS), AI, Smart City, Smart Energy or Smart Health.
 
Since its foundation in 1995 the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences has become a unique educational institution. Study programs are continuously developed further into future-oriented education programs and close cooperation between business and science is pursued on cutting edge topics. Thus, full-time and part-time employees as well as guest lecturers from industry and business are involved in teaching. About 30 different study programs are offered covering the fields of technology, health and social affairs as well as economics in five different locations in Carintha. In Villach the Engineering & IT studies are located. There, a unique infrastructure can be found with the Science & Energy Labs, the Smart Lab Carinthia and the founder's garages. This setting is very attractive especially for entrepreneurs (to be) and start-ups. The campus of the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences is very busy with more than 1,000 students and dormitories for young people from all over the world.
 
Infineon Technologies Austria being one of the strongest research companies in Austria combines innovative research and high-quality production. Energy efficiency, mobility and security are the central global challenges that Infineon addresses with its semiconductor and system solutions. The worldwide Infineon Competence Center for Power Electronics is located in Villach since 1997.
 
The Silicon Alps Electronic Cluster is a public-private partnership that brings together Austrian players from industry, science and public authorities to develop and position the electronics and microelectronics sector. The Silicon Alps Cluster focuses on the regions of Carinthia and Styria. The objective of this long-term strategic alliance is the business development of the region in a o-operative, efficient and business-oriented way.
 
The incubator build! Gründerzentrum is a competence center supporting the development of technology oriented and knowledge-based Start-up and Scale-up projects, build! also supports regional business development. build! offers consulting services in the areas of business foundation, business model development, business development and funding, provides subsidies and offers infrastructure like digital services, office space and Coworking Spaces in Klagenfurt and Villach. In addition, build! provides access to a broad network of mentors, industry partners and investors and hosts network and community events.
 
Public service providers like the Agency for Investment Promotion in Carinthia (BABEG) or the Carinthian Economic Promotion Fund (KWF), the Chamber of Commerce (WKK) and several networks and clusters support businesses in and around Villach.
 
Otelo Villach and see:PORT in Pörtschach are considered as a spaces for innovation, thinking, working and co-creation. see:PORT offers with a size of approximately 500 m² offers co-working spaces on and runs events and exchange formats on a regular basis.
 
The startup platform StartNet Carinthia is a source of information, know-how and orientation for entrepreneurs to be and startups. Together, the partners of StartNet Carinthia develop the regional start-up ecosystem and support entrepreneurs starting a business . The objective is to build a Carinthian entrepreneurial ecosystem within the Alps-Adriatic region that is characterized by a vibrant startup community, short distances and a high level of trust between all stakeholders.