OÖ HightechFonds

OÖ HightechFonds serves as a vital catalyst for technological innovation in Upper Austria, providing crucial financial backing to emerging startups and technology-focused SMEs within the region. With investment capabilities of up to €1.5 million per venture, the fund delivers more than just capital—it offers comprehensive business expertise and advisory services that enable recipients to navigate complex market entry challenges. This strategic support allows innovative companies to channel their energy toward research advancement and product development while building sustainable business foundations.

Currently operating in its second funding cycle with a total investment capacity of €9 million, the fund represents a collaborative financial commitment from three equal stakeholders: the European Union, the State of Upper Austria, and a consortium of Upper Austrian banking institutions. This tripartite funding structure ensures robust financial backing while aligning regional economic development goals with broader European innovation initiatives. The fund's investment thesis specifically targets companies demonstrating exceptional technological capabilities and market potential within Upper Austria's innovation ecosystem.

The investment strategy of OÖ HightechFonds focuses exclusively on high-technology sectors where Upper Austrian companies show particular promise for breakthrough developments. By providing both early-stage and expansion capital, the fund addresses critical financing gaps that often impede commercialization of advanced technologies. Portfolio companies benefit from the fund's extensive regional network, which facilitates valuable connections to industrial partners, research institutions, and additional funding sources. This comprehensive support system significantly enhances the probability of commercial success for technically sophisticated ventures.

Beyond individual company investments, OÖ HightechFonds serves a broader economic development mission by strengthening Upper Austria's position as a premier technology hub capable of attracting and retaining exceptional talent and innovative enterprises. The fund's activities directly contribute to regional job creation, intellectual property development, and export potential through advanced technology products and services. By identifying and nurturing tomorrow's economic drivers at their formative stages, the fund plays a pivotal role in Upper Austria's long-term industrial transformation toward higher-value, knowledge-intensive sectors that can compete effectively in global markets.