Regions
AT - Salzburg
Salzburg, a federal state in Austria, is continuously growing and evolving as a location for research and innovation. With its science and innovation strategy – WISS2030 – the state follows clear guidelines in this regard. One of five main focuses in the strategy is Tech4Green. Several high specialized companies and research institutions in Salzburg are dealing with wood technologies, smart circular buildings, smart materials, smart settlement systems and green engineering, and circular design.
If you are looking for a cooperation partner in Salzburg, Innovation Salzburg will be happy to help you to find a suitable partner for implementing your idea.
Innovation Salzburg GmbH
As Salzburg’s provincial development agency, Innovation Salzburg GmbH (Inno Sbg) coordinates and implements the technology-, innovation-related policies of the regional government, especially through SME and Start-Up support, Cluster Networks and knowledge/ technology transfer into SMEs. Inno Sbg’s focus is to raise awareness for promising future-oriented business topics and bring these to businesses in Salzburg. Inno Sbg advances Salzburg’s existing economic strengths in cooperation with other institutions and is therefore an important partner for implementing the Province of Salzburg’s economic model.
It is our mission to establish a creative and dynamic environment for innovation and cooperation in Salzburg as a business location – between individual businesses and business sectors, educational institutions, and scientific and research facilities. Therefore, international exchange, learning from and working together with similar partners from other regions or other countries is vital for our work.
Inno Sbg provides know-how in the realization of innovative projects and business creation, fosters collaboration, activates regional hubs, and provides pre-consulting services. Businesses are accompanied throughout their entire innovation processes; new innovation methods and trends are introduced via workshops or one-to-one meetings.
Innovation Salzburg is part of Bioeconomy Austria, an Austria-wide bioeconomy network of regional clusters and platforms, as well as companies, research, politics, and society. The aim is to exchange knowledge, and develop and implement joint projects, with an initial thematic focus on wood.
Renewable raw materials from forests, water and agriculture areas are considered to achieve regional added value, promote security of supply, and create sustainable living conditions.
AT - Upper Austria
Upper Austria is a federal state in the north of Austria and an economic hotspot with different types of industries. The most important sectors are automotive, environmental engineering, chemistry, material processing such as metals, plastics, paper, wood, energy, and the food industry, which is a key economic factor in Upper Austria and encompasses a wide range of activities.
Upper Austria is on TOP10 in the fDI ranking “Small European Regions of the Future 2022/2023”, it generates almost a quarter of Austria’s total production, and more than a quarter of the Austrian exports come from Upper Austria.
INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATION is practised in the Upper Austrian cluster networks.
If you are looking for a cooperation partner in Upper Austria, a great variety of Cluster networks will be happy to help you to find a suitable partner for implementing your idea. Eight of nine clusters and networks are managed by Business Upper Austria.
Business Upper Austria – OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH
Business Upper Austria is the Upper Austrian government’s location agency: an innovation driver and the first contact partner for companies in Austria and abroad to whom customised solutions for their investment and innovation projects are offered.
Food Cluster (FC)
Food Cluster is a network which covers the entire supply chain in the food industry. This regional network of companies in the food industry which works closely with suppliers, universities, research institutes, educational and public institutions, forms the basis for a national competitive edge.
Building Innovation Cluster (BIC)
Building Innovation Cluster is a cross-industry network in the fields of architecture and design, construction and ancillary construction trades as well as furniture and timber construction. Members are companies, research and education organizations whose activities and services are related to buildings and furnishings.
Cleantech Cluster (CTC)
Cleantech Cluster is a platform for environmental- and energy-technology companies in Upper Austria. Innovative, ecologically and economically viable solutions for now and future are developed and implemented together.
Automotive Cluster (AC)
Automotive Cluster is a cross-industry network for the automotive sector which initiates, promotes and coordinates successful cooperation between companies, research institutes and decision-makers.
IT Cluster (ITC)
IT Cluster is a cooperation network for the IT sector, especially the software industry and a competence hub for digitization in all branches.
Plastics Cluster (KC)
Plastics Cluster is a cross-regional (Lower and Upper Austria) cross-industry network for the plastics sector which initiates, promotes and coordinates successful cooperation between partner companies, research institutions and decision-makers.
Mechatronics Cluster (MC)
Mechatronics Cluster is a cross-regional (Lower and Upper Austria) cross-industry network for companies from the fields of mechanical and plant engineering as well as related industries, such as equipment and apparatus engineering, technology and component suppliers, research and development and educational institutions.
Medical Technology Cluster (MTC)
Medical Technology Cluster is the central interface between business, science, and medicine. The aim is to link partners from all over Austria and initiate collaborative projects as well as to support newcomers and those moving into the medical technology sector.
Logistics Network (Verein Netzwerk Logistik - VNL)
VNL is Austria's largest and liveliest business platform for all topics in logistics and supply chain management (SCM) to support the efficiency of companies and people. It offers an ideal basis for discussing, get to know new developments, making contacts - and taking logistics and SCM to new levels.
CH - Canton of Fribourg
The canton of Fribourg, the eighth largest of the 26 Swiss cantons, is idyllically situated between the Swiss Plateau and the foothills of the Alps. As an important center of research and education between French-speaking Romandy and German-speaking Switzerland, around two thirds of the population speak French and just under a third German.
Fribourg's economic development strategy builds on the dynamism and diversity of the local economy and focuses on two key areas: Bioeconomy and Industry 4.0. The canton of Fribourg has decided to place innovation and activities with high added value at the heart of its development strategy. Knowledge and technology transfer is an essential part of the Fribourg ecosystem and makes it possible to strengthen the competitiveness of companies and develop collaborative projects.
Applied Research and Development at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg 
The School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg is the first point of contact for innovative projects at the interface between research and business. In ten research institutes, the university offers expertise in application-oriented research and development:
ChemTech – Institute of Chemical Technology
Applied chemistry at the service of the industry
ENERGY – Institute of Applied Research in Energy Systems
Towards simpler and more efficient energy systems
HumanTech – Technology for Human Wellbeing
Between humans and technology
iCoSys – Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Complex Systems
The partner of choice for industrial digitalization
iPrint – Institute for Printing
Digital manufacturing by inkjet printing
iRAP – Institute for Applied Plastics Research
From materials to polymer applications
iSIS – Institute of Smart and Secured Systems
Security and reliability at the service of society
iTEC – Institute of Construction and Environmental Technologies
Laying the foundations for the construction of tomorrow
SeSi – Sustainable Engineering Systems Institute
From ideas to industry
TRANSFORM – Institute of Architecture: Heritage, Construction and Users
Transformation: a synonym for innovation
The institutes receive subsidiary support for the implementation of innovative projects via the university's internal fund for application-oriented research and development.
INNOSQUARE – Platform for collaborative projects
With INNOSQUARE, the university has an innovation platform with access to a broad network of local companies. INNOSQUARE coordinates the promotion of cooperation projects between companies and research institutes as part of the new regional policy on behalf of the cantonal economic development agency.
It works closely with the regional clusters:
Cluster Food & Nutrition
DE - Bavaria
The Free State of Bavaria, the largest federal state in Germany, is one of the leading innovation locations in the country with collaboration and markets all around Europe and the world. Its innovation strategy Innovationsland.Bayern highlights Bavaria’s commitment, goals and measures to strengthening and expanding its leading position with a specific focus on five specialization fields: mobility, life sciences, energy, materials and digitalisation. The Free State's innovation policy focuses on supporting innovations that offer holistic solutions to economic, scientific, social and ecological challenges. Towards this goal, an emphasis is laid on sustainable innovation that enable economy and society to transform towards a resource efficient and climate neutral future.
The (circular) bioeconomy offers Bavaria many advantages: by promoting resource-efficient agricultural practices and the use of renewable raw materials, Bavaria can not only minimize its environmental impact, but also create new economic opportunities. Sustainability in companies not only creates new jobs, but also room for innovation.
The state's rich agricultural and forestry base provides an ideal platform for sustainable developments. Through political support and the integration of these concepts into existing initiatives, Bavaria can take a leading role in promoting sustainable practices while encouraging economic growth and improved quality of life for the population.
It is therefore also of great interest in Bavaria and will continue to grow in importance in the coming years.
Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy
The Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, responsible party and publisher of the regional bioeconomic strategy, focusses on maintaining and promoting Bavaria's competitiveness as a business location, strengthening Bavaria's economic performance, supporting start-ups and creating attractive employment opportunities. Therefore, the Ministry is offering a variety of funding opportunities for established and young companies. Additionally, a broad network of partners and business support organisations is affiliated with and supported by the ministry offering day-to-day support and hands-on experiences in fostering collaboration and innovation:
In 2006, Chemie-Cluster Bayern was founded within the Cluster Initiative Bavaria aiming at increasing Bavaria’s competitiveness in strategic sectors. On behalf of the Ministry, Chemie-Cluster Bayern supports networking between companies in the chemical sector and cooperation between industry and science. The network supports companies in their innovation and market development and the creation of value chains from research and development to the final product. Additionally, it advises the Ministry on strategic issues and support it in its activities, e.g., in the area of internationalization by establishing contacts and initializing cooperation.
As a cluster it is our mission to contribute to the strengthening of the knowledge base of Bavarian institutions, to accelerate the introduction of new technologies and to facilitate the development of new markets. Furthermore, hidden markets for existing products, technologies and services are to be found worldwide.
If you are looking for a cooperation partner in Bavaria, Chemie-Cluster Bayern will be happy to help you to find a suitable partner for implementing your idea.
If you are looking for a cooperation partner in Bavaria in another sector, a great variety of Cluster networks is available and will be happy to support you:
https://www.stmwi.bayern.de/wirtschaft/forschung-technologie/cluster-offensive-bayern/
DE - Brandenburg
Brandenburg is a federal state and, together with Berlin, is part of the capital region of Germany. Berlin-Brandenburg has the highest density of research facilities in Germany. Businesses have access to research institutes, universities and specialist colleges, as well as numerous technology and start-up centres, to collaborate and exchange knowledge with.
The Economic Development Agency Brandenburg (WFBB) helps investors, established companies and innovative start-ups in the state of Brandenburg to grow their businesses. The WFBB offers a wide range of business and employment promotion services under one roof – everything from assistance with relocation and expansion through innovation, internationalization and networking to the recruitment and training of skilled workers. It also acts as the state’s energy agency and supports local authorities and companies in the efficient use of energy. WFBB supports sector-specific economic clusters in the German capital region Berlin-Brandenburg and the sustainable development of industrial and commercial sites.
The Food Industry Cluster and Cluster Plastics and Chemistry provide the platform for all bioeconomy players in the German capital region. It links the entire value chain with industry-related economic sectors and the scientific potential of the region. Consequently, it ensures sustainable growth through innovation and value creation. All companies, scientific institutions, associations and networks are welcome to be active partners in the Food Industry Cluster and Cluster Plastics and Chemistry.
The managements of the Food Industry Cluster and Cluster Plastics and Chemistry see their combined role as source of inspiration, initiator and moderator in the field of Bioeconomy. Most crucial is to encourage and sustainably establish the cooperation of all active Cluster members. This is achieved through promoting transparency, initiating contacts and launching both small and large-scale projects among companies or between scientific institutes and companies; nationally and internationally.