Microelectronics – research as the foundation for success

The strong research sector comprises one of the cornerstones of the successful chip ecosystem in Austria. In addition to the private sector’s own in-house research facilities, this ecosystem consists of numerous specialized institutes at universities and universities of applied sciences as well as research centres operated jointly by government bodies and the business community. They all make considerable contributions towards positioning Austria and Europe as a high-tech business location.

One outstanding example is Silicon Austria Labs (SAL). a centre of excellence for electronic based systems. It was founded in 2018 by a consortium consisting of the Austrian Federal Government, the federal states and industry. More than 300 employees in Graz, Villach and Linz work on leading edge solutions in the fields of environmental protection, health, energy, mobility and security. For this purpose, SAL brings together key players from industry and science and thus bundles valuable expertise and know-how, conducting cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain.

In October 2023, SAL opened Austria‘s largest research clean room, located in the Technology Park Villach, and thus set an important milestone for world class research in Austria. The new clean room spanning an area of 1,000 m² serves as more than just a sterile environment for the research and development of innovative technologies for the Micro Nano Fabrication Center of SAL. In line with its claim to be an interface between research development and series production, SAL makes its premises available to industrial partners which do not have their own clean room for the purpose of small batch production.

https://silicon-austria-labs.com/

planqc: "Austria offers enormous advantages due to its excellent research landscape in quantum physics"

The German quantum computing startup planqc really took off in 2024, winning major contracts and investors. In this interview, CEO Alexander Glätzle reveals what he appreciates about the company’s new facility in Innsbruck and the key role that the well-developed infrastructure for research and development there plays in the company's success.

From research to practical application: Quantum technology in Austria

Research institutions and companies are driving the development of quantum technologies in Austria, thereby strengthening the country's leading role as a business location. Initiatives such as Quantum Austria, featuring € 107 million in investments to strengthen the quantum technology ecosystem, are making an important contribution to this.

Austria in the fast lane in quantum technology

From ambitious startups to extensive government funding programmes: Austria is a promising business location for innovative companies and investors in the field of quantum technology. This enables progress and sustainable growth, a fact which is also demonstrated by successful young companies such as ParityQC, qtlabs and planqc.