Silicon Alps Cluster

Offer

The Silicon Alps Cluster is an Austrian technology and innovation cluster for electronic based systems. As a public-private partnership, the cluster brings Austrian players from industry, science and public authorities together to develop and position the electronics and microelectronics sector with a regional focus on Carinthia and Styria. The Silicon Alps cluster equally represents the interests of its members and the public in objective regional development based on facts and opportunities. Our services are geared especially towards SMEs, start ups and collaboration project development.

Market&Potential

In the context of Europe’s microelectronics industry, Austria provides a highly sophisticated industrial profile, total market potential comprises 130 companies, 30k employees and 15 billion Euros in turnover per year. Carinthia combines superior expertise, advanced technologies and an attractive mix of industries with a highly innovative environment. Its R&D rate has been on the rise since 2009; with 2.9%, Carinthia currently ranks fifth (2013) in Austria. At the same time, Carinthia sees an extraordinary high share of research based in the companies (75%). Leading global enterprises, such as Infineon Technologies Austria, Lam Research, KapschTrafficCom, Mahle or Flextronics International, are key factors in Carinthia’s exceptional technology expertise. No other Austrian federal province brings as many innovative products and services onto the market as Styria. With an R&D rate of 4 percent, Styria has been above the EU targets for 2020 for many years and occupies a top position among all European regions, thanks to an outstanding training, research and business landscape. Five universities with over 40,000 students, an internationally renowned system of universities of applied sciences and numerous research institutions have turned Styria into a veritable technology hub. On top of that, the majority of Austria’s competence centres conduct their research and other work in Styria; university spin offs are ubiquitous, and independent research institutions, such as Joanneum Research, are always open for companies and collaboration.

Mission & Goals

The Silicon Alps cluster regards itself as a long-term strategic alliance and a tool for cooperative, efficient and business-oriented regional development. The high level goals are to boost the competiveness and innovative performance of its members, to add value in Carinthia and Styria, to promote the region’s international visibility and to enhance the region’s attractiveness for start ups and business establishment.