The green tech sector in Austria: fertile ground for green innovation

Austria’s green tech sector is booming: 228 start-ups are driving innovation forward. REPS generates energy from road traffic, whilst over 600 green technologies have already been researched in Green Tech Valley. An attractive location for sustainable solutions for the future.

Austria is known for its breathtaking natural beauty – and its innovation landscape is green too. 228 young companies are active in the field of environmental and climate protection. This is shown by the latest Green Tech Startups Austria 2026Green Tech Startups Austria 2026 () survey. Compared to the previous year, this represents growth of six per cent. The Austrian Startup Monitor 2025Austrian Startup Monitor 2025 () also confirms this trend. 62 per cent of start-ups pursue an environmental or social mission. This creates a strong environment for international green tech companies. 

A particularly large number of green tech start-ups and established companies are based in the Green Tech Valley in Styria and Carinthia, which is regarded as one of Europe’s leading green tech clusters. There, 300 green tech companies are working alongside 20 leading technology firms and 2,300 researchers towards a greener future.

More on green tech in AustriaMore on green tech in Austria ()

Energy storage, battery recycling and electronics

Austria has set itself the target of sourcing all its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. The Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG) – the key piece of legislation governing support for renewable energy – provides for annual subsidies of one billion euros to achieve this.

A clever system developed by the Tyrolean start-up REPSREPS () harnesses energy from road traffic. The system is integrated directly into existing road infrastructure and converts the kinetic energy generated by vehicles when braking into electricity. The company is thus focusing on what is known as energy harvesting. REPS has raised 23.6 million US dollars for its international expansion.

Intelligent energy storage on a large scale is also taking place in Upper Austria: in Wagenham, NGENNGEN () is building a battery storage system with a capacity of 85 MW and 170 MWh. This marks the creation of one of Europe’s largest energy storage facilities. It is scheduled to come online in 2026.

This is how NGEN is driving the energy transition in AustriaThis is how NGEN is driving the energy transition in Austria ()

Upper Austria is also setting new standards in battery recycling: the plant manufacturer FillFill () recently unveiled the “BattBoxBattBox ()” project. This is a modular disassembly concept for drive batteries. Customers can use it to flexibly optimise their battery recycling facilities. Lower Austria is making waves in the field of battery diagnostics: the e-tech scale-up AvilooAviloo () secured an investment of 30 million euros with its battery solution.

refurbedrefurbed () is also enjoying success: the Vienna-based scale-up refurbishes used electrical appliances, thereby preventing electronic waste. With this business model, Refurbed has exceeded the three-billion-euro mark in external turnover and is now expanding into 13 further European countries. The company is now represented in a total of 24 markets.

Sustainable building materials, 3D printing and more

Green innovations are also springing up in many other sectors, such as construction. The Styrian start-up Fiber ElementsFiber Elements () is developing basalt fibres as a sustainable alternative to reinforced concrete. This has secured the young company an investment of 2.6 million euros, including funding from the Amadeus Apex Technology FundAmadeus Apex Technology Fund ().

These green innovations are also shaping Austria’s start-up landscape:

• BauBlocksBauBlocks (): has developed a reusable all-in-one building block that can be integrated into all essential wall layers.
• DurameaDuramea (): supplies hydrogen membranes (MEAs) for electrolysers and fuel cells.
• PulpStackPulpStack (): has devised an innovative 3D printing technology. This enables cellulose to be used industrially in 3D printing for the first time. 
• HASHLYNK: HASHLYNK: ()has designed smart energy recovery solutions that convert surplus renewable energy into computing power and usable heat.
• PureSurfPureSurf (): focuses on ‘green’ chemistry and bio-based high-performance surfactants.
• YflavourYflavour (): gives vegan foods a ‘meaty flavour’ using natural flavourings.

A European Campus for GreenTech

Austria is also investing in the future of green tech research. The “Europacampus Hainburg”, which specialises in green technologies and sustainable innovations, is being established in Lower Austria. The opening of the education and research hub, which will provide 480 study places and 200 jobs, is planned for 2028. Partners include the University of Applied Sciences (USTP) St. Pölten and the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien). 

You can find out more about starting a business in Austria in our GreenTech brochure:

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