The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, together with AustrianStartups and the WU Startup Center, has published the seventh edition of the Austrian Startup Monitor (ASM). The monitor is regarded as a central reference study on the dynamics, structure and challenges of the Austrian startup landscape. The new Austrian Startup Monitor was presented last Friday at the Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism in front of representatives from research, politics and business - including State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner.
Despite an overall gloomy view on the current business situation, startups in Austria continue to be growth-oriented: 79% of the companies surveyed plan to hire new employees this year - this corresponds to an expected increase in employment of around 10,000 people. Internationalisation also remains a key goal, with around 80% of startups planning to expand abroad this year.
The results were also widely reported in the media, including in numerous ORF programmes (ZIB 1 from 16.5.2025)
Shifting Culture: More Diversity and Impact-Driven Startups
The share of female founders continues to rise, reaching 22% (up from 17% in 2023). More than one-third of startups now have at least one female founder involved. At the same time, 56% of startups prioritize social and/or environmental goals, reflecting a growing commitment to sustainability and social responsibility in the Austrian innovation landscape.
Deep-Tech as a Driver of Innovation
A special focus of this year’s report is on deep-tech startups, which build advanced solutions based on the latest scientific and technological insights. As Dr. Karl-Heinz Leitner, Senior Researcher at AIT, summarizes: “17% of startups can be classified as deep-tech. These companies are pioneering the use and development of AI applications, have attracted more venture capital, and demonstrate significantly higher company valuations.”
Education as a Catalyst for Entrepreneurship
A growing number of founders report that the desire to launch a business began during their education. Today, around 20% of Austrian startups originate from academic spin-offs, with a strong increase in education-based ventures. However, the number of research-driven spin-offs has remained stagnant.
Funding Environment Showing Signs of Recovery
While access to funding remains a key concern, the mood has improved compared to the previous year. Only 45% now report a worsening of the funding environment, down from 57% in 2023.
Policy Priorities Remain Unchanged
Startups continue to call for targeted policy support. Tax relief, especially regarding non-wage labor costs (62%), remains the top demand, followed by faster and less bureaucratic access to public funding (56%), and stronger incentives for private venture capital investments (49%).
The Austrian Startup Monitor 2024 provides a detailed snapshot of the country’s startup environment and offers clear recommendations for policy and innovation strategies moving forward.
Download the full report at www.austrianstartupmonitor.at