Montanuniversität Leoben and the Centre for Applied Technology (ZAT) are setting new standards for sustainable start-up initiatives in Styria with the new Green Startup Center. An incubator for green start-ups and innovative spin-offs is being created at the site, as well as space for student service facilities. Once completed, it will offer flexible working space on a usable area of around 1,500 square metres. Investment volume: around six million euros.
This will also create up to 100 new jobs, complemented by a specially equipped prototype workshop that will enable founders to quickly turn their ideas into real applications. The Green Startup Centre is part of the supra-regional efforts to establish the Upper Styria region as a hub for environmentally conscious and technology-oriented start-ups. This involves providing founders with a comprehensive range of support services - from the initial idea concept through to market maturity. Start-ups in particular benefit from a structured programme and intensive support from experts who not only assist with implementation, but also provide a broad infrastructure and access to networks.
Green innovations for a sustainable Styrian economy
Since the start of the ‘Green Startupmark’ project in August 2023, ZAT has already been able to support over 15 people and teams interested in setting up their own business with various advisory units and support programmes. The network of committed young entrepreneurs in the region is thus growing continuously and making a valuable contribution to the sustainable transformation of the Styrian economy.
Statements:
Martin Polaschek, Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research:
‘The Green Startup Centre Leoben is another key to promoting green innovations. The BMBWF is providing around € 4.4 million in funding, making an important contribution to intensifying start-up and foundation activities at Montanuniversität Leoben and strengthening sustainable start-up initiatives in Styria. This benefits students who can pursue and realise their ideas after graduation. This in turn enriches the entire region.’
Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, Provincial Councillor for Economic Affairs, Tourism, Regions, Science and Research: ‘The green transformation is one of the great challenges of our time. A great deal of commitment and new ideas are needed to master it successfully. For this reason, we are promoting promising start-ups in this area - for example with the new Green Startup Centre in Leoben. In this way, we can also provide new impetus for economic growth and further strengthen our position as an internationally recognised location for the development of green technologies.’
Remo Taferner, Managing Director of ZAT Leoben: ‘With the Green Startup Centre, we want to create an attractive environment that promotes pioneering projects and technologies and positions the University of Leoben as a central partner for green innovations. The broad support from partners from industry, science and politics shows the great potential and relevance of sustainable start-up projects.’
Helmut Antrekowitsch, Vice Rector of Montanuniversität Leoben: ‘The centre should become a sustainable innovation driver for the region and beyond and establish a dynamic start-up culture with a focus on green technologies. Our aim is to strengthen Leoben as a centre for environmentally friendly high technologies and to give new impetus to Upper Styria as a business location in the long term. This platform combines talent, research and entrepreneurship and will thus make a significant contribution to anchoring innovation and sustainability in practice.
Kurt Wallner, Mayor of Leoben: ‘The Green Startup Centre is a great opportunity for our city and the region. This initiative not only creates new opportunities for young founders and innovative projects, but also positions Leoben as a future-orientated location for sustainability and environmental technologies. This centre will contribute to strengthening our local economy in the long term by preparing the ground for companies that develop solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Leoben is thus sending a clear signal for a sustainable and innovative future.’
About the Green Startupmark project:
The Centre for Applied Technology (ZAT), the University of Leoben and the Centre for IT Startups KAIT (at the FH Joanneum in Kapfenberg), together with the province of Styria and Green Tech Valley, have launched Austria's pilot region for green startups - the ‘Green Startupmark’ - in autumn 2023. This strong network for young entrepreneurs with a focus on green tech will be bundled in the ‘Startupmark’ area of strength of the Styrian Business Promotion Agency SFG. Support is provided by the state from the Just Transition Funds (JTF), which the EU has proclaimed as part of the Green Deal.
Enquiries:
Angelika Hierzer-Königsberger
Zentrum für Angewandte Technologie Leoben GmbH
Peter Tunner-Straße 19 |8700 Leoben
M: 0664 826 78 46 | E: angelika.hierzer@zat-leoben.at | www.zat-leoben.at
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