PROFACTOR
PROFACTOR is an Austrian applied research company (founded 1995, Steyr) that develops and transfers industrial automation, NIL-based micro/nano-manufacturing, and inkjet technologies to manufacturing clients, funded by industrial projects and public R&D grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersSteyr, Austria
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What PROFACTOR does
PROFACTOR GmbH is an Austrian applied research company founded in 1995 and headquartered in Steyr-Gleink, with a secondary office in Vienna. It operates at the interface between science and industry, delivering customized technology development from initial idea through industrial implementation to manufacturing clients. The company is publicly owned: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH holds 51% and Upper Austrian Research GmbH holds 49%, giving it stable access to national and EU research funding.
The company focuses on two core technology areas. The first, Industrial Automation Systems, covers cognitive assistance systems, robotics, human-centered computing, AI-enabled sensor integration, non-destructive inspection, and Zero Defect Manufacturing for flexible and high-variant production. The second, Additive Micro- and Nano-Manufacturing, centers on a 20-plus-year nanoimprint lithography (NIL) platform — including UV-NIL, wafer-level, roll-to-plate, and Step & Repeat processes — together with multi-material inkjet technologies and proprietary consumables such as the BGL-GZ-96 anti-sticking layer and HMNP 12 adhesion promoter. The product portfolio spans Step & Repeat NIL Lab Systems, NIL prototyping and small-series services, NIL metrology, and RoboInkjet handling, with a stated cleanroom infrastructure supporting prototype-to-mass-production transitions.
PROFACTOR generates revenue through two streams that together produced approximately €10M in operating performance: roughly €6M from national and international funded research projects (FFG, EFRE, Interreg, EDIH) and roughly €4M from direct industrial-sector projects. The company reports more than 500 customers and partners, with named logos spanning automotive (BMW, Mercedes-Benz), semiconductors (Infineon), aerospace (FACC), machine tools (Danobat), industrial manufacturing (Georg Fischer, RK Metalltechnik), consumer products (Häcker Küchen, Sony DADC), and building materials (Helopal). Pricing is project-based and quote-driven; the firm publishes >14 peer-reviewed journal articles and >59 peer-reviewed conference contributions annually, evidencing a research-led commercial model rather than a venture-funded SaaS or product play.
PROFACTOR firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PROFACTOR
- Legal name
- PROFACTOR GmbH
- Website
- https://profactor.at
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- PROFACTOR is an Austrian applied research company (founded 1995, Steyr) that develops and transfers industrial automation, NIL-based micro/nano-manufacturing, and inkjet technologies to manufacturing clients, funded by industrial projects and public R&D grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PROFACTOR industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Research and Manufacturing Technology Development
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (32599), Industrial Design Services (541420)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH), Professional Training & Workforce Upskilling (AM) (IMAAAJAC), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)
Keywords
Where PROFACTOR is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Steyr
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
PROFACTOR business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Industrial Sector Projects: Direct industrial projects with manufacturing companies for technology development and implementation, generating approximately 4 million Euro in operating performance.
- Funded Research Projects: National and international research projects funded by bodies such as FFG, EFRE, Interreg, generating approximately 6 million Euro in operating performance with funded projects.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
PROFACTOR product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PROFACTOR is an Austrian applied research company that develops customized manufacturing technologies for industrial customers, spanning two focus areas: Industrial Automation Systems (cognitive assistance, robotics, AI-based sensor systems, and non-destructive inspection) and Additive Micro- and Nano-Manufacturing (UV nanoimprint lithography, multi-material inkjet printing, microstructuring and 3D printing at micro/nanoscale). It delivers technology development from initial idea through validation to industrial-scale production transfer, supplemented by prototyping services, metrology, lab systems, and proprietary coating materials.
Product overview
PROFACTOR operates as a research company specializing in applied manufacturing technologies with two core product areas: Industrial Automation Systems (covering Automation for Flexible Manufacturing, Industrial Inspection and Quality Control) and Additive Micro- and Nano-Manufacturing (covering Functional and Freeform Inkjet Printing and the Nanoimprint Lithography technology platform). The Nanoimprint Lithography portfolio includes NIL Prototyping and Small Series services, Step & Repeat NIL Lab Systems, specialized Nanoimprint Coating Materials (Anti-Sticking Layer and Adhesion Layer products), and NIL Metrology Services. These solutions are tailored for industrial customers seeking technologies from prototype development through to production implementation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Automation for Flexible Manufacturing
Companies that use PROFACTOR
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
PROFACTOR technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
PROFACTOR partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- JKU LinzminorHost venue partner for AI5production Symposium 2025 on digitalization in manufacturing. Located at the OIC Stufenforum, Altenbergerstraße 69, Linz.
- Silicon Austria Labs GmbHcoreTechnology partner in PrintedRadar project developing additive manufacturing processes for radar 3D waveguide antennas. Combines expertise in electronics and manufacturing technologies.
- Infineon Technologies Austria AGcoreProject partner in PrintedRadar initiative focused on radar sensor technologies for autonomous mobility. Provides semiconductor and radar system expertise.
- TIGER Coatings GmbH & Co. KGcorePartner in PrintedRadar project providing coating and metallization expertise for additive manufacturing of 3D waveguide structures.
- LuxinergyminorListed as proven partnership in nanoimprint technology applications.
- LumoscribeminorListed as proven partnership in nanoimprint technology applications.
- LithozminorListed as proven partnership in nanoimprint technology applications for ceramic microstructures.
- StensborgminorListed as proven partnership in nanoimprint technology applications.
- EVGminorEquipment partner in NIL technology value chain.
- upnanominorListed as proven partnership in nanoimprint technology applications.
- EPICminorEuropean Photonics Industry Consortium - partner in photonics events and technology meetings.
- Photonics AustriaminorNational photonics industry association partnership.
- micro resist technologyminorMaterials partner providing coating materials for nanoimprint lithography processes.
- Sony DADCminorEvent host partner for EPIC Technology Meeting on photonics miniaturized optics. Also a customer.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PROFACTOR competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Heidelberg Instruments: Swiss-German manufacturer of direct-write and nanoimprint lithography systems used in photonics, MEMS, and quantum device R&D. Overlaps with PROFACTOR's NIL and micro-fabrication customer base as an equipment vendor with services.
- Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest non-university applied research organization with multiple institutes covering production technology, micro/nano fabrication, and automation. Closest structural analogue to PROFACTOR's applied research model and public funding mix, but at vastly greater scale and broader scope.
- CSEM: Swiss public-private applied research center with strong programs in micro/nano fabrication, MEMS, and industrial automation. Directly comparable in operating model (public funding + industrial contracts) and in dual focus on nano-manufacturing and automation.
- TNO: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, a publicly funded applied research organization with activities in nanomanufacturing, robotics, and industrial digitalization. Closely comparable as a European public applied-research peer with similar revenue mix.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: State-owned Finnish applied research organization with similar public-funding-plus-industrial-project revenue mix and capabilities in micro- and nanofabrication, industrial automation, and smart manufacturing. Directly comparable in operating model and customer base across European industrial manufacturers.
Direct peers
- Morphotonics: Dutch-Norwegian NIL specialist focused on large-area roll-to-plate nanoimprinting for AR/VR, displays, and photonics. Competes directly with PROFACTOR's roll-to-plate NIL capability and targets the same emerging photonics customers.
- EV Group (EVG): Austrian-headquartered global leader in NIL and wafer-bonding equipment. While primarily an equipment vendor, EVG also operates NIL process services and is a stated PROFACTOR partner, making it both a channel partner and a potential competitor as NIL production scales.
- NIL Technology: Danish specialist in nanoimprint lithography and optical components serving AR/VR, photonics, and life sciences. Competes head-to-head with PROFACTOR's NIL prototyping and small-series services for the same industrial and photonics customers.
- Stensborg: Denmark-based developer of nanoimprint lithography equipment and services for R&D and small-series production. Listed as a PROFACTOR partner, but also competes for similar NIL prototyping customers in Europe.
Emerging players
- Lithoz: Austrian high-resolution ceramic additive manufacturing company and stated PROFACTOR partner in NIL/ceramic microstructures. Comparable as a Vienna-region deep-tech AM specialist serving overlapping industrial customers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
PROFACTOR social profiles
Digital presencePROFACTOR financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PROFACTOR leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
PROFACTOR funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PROFACTOR M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PROFACTOR
What does PROFACTOR do?
PROFACTOR is an Austrian applied research company that develops customized manufacturing technologies for industrial customers, spanning two focus areas: Industrial Automation Systems (cognitive assistance, robotics, AI-based sensor systems, and non-destructive inspection) and Additive Micro- and Nano-Manufacturing (UV nanoimprint lithography, multi-material inkjet printing, microstructuring and 3D printing at micro/nanoscale). It delivers technology development from initial idea through validation to industrial-scale production transfer, supplemented by prototyping services, metrology, lab systems, and proprietary coating materials.
Is PROFACTOR a public or private company?
PROFACTOR is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was PROFACTOR founded?
PROFACTOR was founded in 1995. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is PROFACTOR based?
PROFACTOR is headquartered in Steyr, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does PROFACTOR make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Industrial Sector Projects are the primary driver. The others are funded Research Projects.
Who are PROFACTOR's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Heidelberg Instruments, Fraunhofer Society, CSEM, TNO and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Direct peers are Morphotonics, EV Group (EVG), NIL Technology and Stensborg. Lithoz is listed as an emerging player.
Does PROFACTOR have an API?
No public API is recorded for PROFACTOR.
What industry is PROFACTOR in?
PROFACTOR's product category is Industrial Research and Manufacturing Technology Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAAAJAA, Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs, with a secondary code of EDAMADAH, 3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs. Its NAICS code is 541713 and its SIC code is 8731.