The nonprofit “Startup Carinthia” released a map of the “Carinthian Startup Ecosystem” in September 2023. It is a pioneering initiative to strengthen, support and raise the profile of the start-up ecosystem in business, technology, education and research in Austria.
Carinthia, as a developing region for innovative companies and start-up founders and a business location, has been constantly developing in recent years. The project was initiated by “Startup Carinithia” to demonstrate this steady trend to drive growth, as well as the diverse resources and opportunities for a targeted cluster of start-up founders in Carinthia and to provide insight into what already exists. The association “Green Tech Valley” represents a symbol of community spirit, support for “start-ups” initiatives and promotion of innovation in the region.
The collaborative platform at a glance
The innovative map offers a comprehensive overview of Carinthia’s diverse network and is the result of committed collaboration between regional partners and start-up supporters. It houses established players as well as coworking spaces, educational and research institutions, hotspots and relevant events. In order to support foreign researchers, it is necessary to know which organizations offer services in English or provide support with an English-speaking contact person.
A green position for Carinthia’s economy
The “Green Tech Valley” is one of the world’s most important technology hotspots for environmental protection and the circular economy, located in Styria and Carinthia in Austria. In terms of “sustainable economic activity, Carinthia is now number one in Europe. The so-called “Green Deal” is often mentioned and has already become an economic reality in Carinthia. In the southernmost state of Austria, there are many reasons for an excellent starting point for this agenda.
World-class green economic network
Many sustainably operating players have established themselves in the Carinthian value chain. They are already adapting this region to the future. Carinthia relies on the idea of a network in its sustainability efforts. Together with the Land of Styria, Carinthia supports the Green Tech Cluster. Today, more than 250 companies with a pioneering spirit are already working together to promote climate protection and circular economy solutions.
Green research and innovation
Over the past decades, Carinthia and its universities have developed into outstanding scientific posts. The technology parks of the future have been exploring sustainable approaches to the economy for years. The Carinthian Timber Competence Centre in St. Veit an der Glan carries out non-university, industrial and application-oriented research on wood raw material. The core competences of the research project, which extends throughout Austria, lie in material research and process technology along the entire value chain, from raw materials to the finished product.
Circular economy
Do not throw away and reuse. The linear economic system is already alive and the economy has to think in cycles. Carinthia is one of the most important and innovative plastic recyclers in Austria. Attention is also focused on the forestry, timber and paper industry, which is the backbone of Carinthia’s bioeconomy. Its own technical school for plastics and recycling technology, located in the “Euregio HTL” in Ferlach, teaches well-trained young talent.
A strong sustainable energy sector
Carinthia can proudly call itself the “battery of Austria.” The Austrian state of Carinthia has been focusing for many years on the dissemination of alternative, renewable and sustainable technologies in energy production. Since 2005, the Land has increased the share of renewable energy sources in final energy consumption by 15.1 percentage points to around 55%, making it one of the absolute leaders in Austria and Europe. Today, electricity in Carinthia is produced 100% from renewable energy sources.
Carinthian green pioneering work
Bernhard Puttinger, CEO of the Green Tech Cluster, explained Carinthia’s agenda by saying: “Green pioneering work is being carried out in Carinthia today. Carinthia is a predetermined testing ground for a successful green circular economy.”
Today, the “Green Tech Cluster” is developing long-term strategies for a sustainable future for Carinthia.