Fishcon

What Fishcon does

Fishcon GmbH is a privately held Austrian company founded in 2018 in Linz by Bernhard Mayrhofer, Alkisti Stergiopoulou, and K.u.F. Drack GmbH & Co KG (KFD), which serves as a financial and strategic partner. The company develops, manufactures, and sells the Fishcon Lock — a patented 2-Chamber Organism Bypass (Zwei-Kammern-Fischwanderhilfe) that enables continuous, bidirectional (upstream and downstream) migration of fish and other organisms through dams, weirs, and hydropower plants. The technology uses two countercurrently operated lock chambers connected by a pipe bend (with optional turbine or throttle) and self-cleaning fine screens, available in a DN variant for height differences up to roughly 6 meters and a narrower, lower-cost IPE variant for approximately 1-4 meter drops.

The company targets three primary customer segments: owners and operators of small and large hydropower plants who need compliant fish passage; public and private owners of weirs and transverse structures required to ensure ecological connectivity under the EU Water Framework Directive; and smaller, often family-owned hydropower operators with limited space and capital. Fishcon handles the full project lifecycle — free site assessment, planning support, coordination with partner firms, and commissioning — and prices are project-specific, depending on the lead fish species, height difference, and chosen configuration; a documented simple installation (Aschacharm) was completed in 7 working days for approximately €12,000. Government grants through the Austrian aws IÖB toolbox can cover up to 100% of public-project installations.

Fishcon commercializes in the D-A-CH region through direct sales led by Managing Director Bernhard Mayrhofer and Sales Manager Ing. Clemens Kaltenböck, and internationally through a network of certified regional distribution partners: WWS Wasserkraft (USA, Japan), Troll Systems (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland), Whooshh Innovations (Canada, Sweden), AWMA Water Control Solutions (Australia, New Zealand), and Fishheart (Finland). To date the company reports seven operational locks across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, with additional installations in implementation or planning by end-2025. It has accumulated multiple regional innovation awards (Greenstar 2017, i2B 2nd place 2018, Edison Gold 2019, Allianz Umweltpreis 2nd place 2020), IÖB-compatible certification, and Austrian Federal Ministry recognition as state-of-the-art for smaller rivers.

Name

Fishcon

Legal name

FISHCON GmbH

Website

https://fishcon.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fishcon is an Austrian company that designs, manufactures, and installs its patented 2-Chamber Organism Bypass (Fishcon Lock), enabling continuous bidirectional fish migration through dams, weirs, and hydropower plants. It serves small and large hydropower operators and public water authorities across D-A-CH, the USA, Japan, the Nordics, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fish Passage Systems for Hydropower

akta.pro primary industry

Hydropower Environmental & Fish Passage Solutions (EUACAEAJ)

Keywords

• Fish passage systems
• Hydraulic fish locks
• Hydropower fish migration
• Ecological water connectivity
• Fish migration technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Linz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fishcon Lock Hardware Sales and Installation: Fishcon designs, manufactures, and installs the Fishcon Lock (2-Chamber Organism Bypass) as a modular hardware product. The lock can be equipped with a turbine for hydropower energy generation, which offsets operating costs and can be a revenue source. Pricing is project-specific and quote-based, depending on fish size, height difference, and specific configuration.
2. Hydropower Energy Generation (Turbine Integration): At locations with higher height differences and attraction water volumes, the Fishcon lock can be equipped with a turbine that generates electricity. This enables economic (sometimes highly profitable) operation and provides additional revenue from energy sales.
3. Project Handling and Consulting Services: Fishcon handles the complete project lifecycle from site and suitability assessment through to coordination and implementation with partner companies. Services include free location checks, planning support, and commissioning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fishcon designs, manufactures, and installs the Fishcon Lock (2-Chamber Organism Bypass), a patented hydraulic fish pass system that enables continuous bidirectional fish migration through dams, weirs, and hydropower plants. The company provides complete project handling from site and suitability assessment through coordination with partner companies to commissioning, serving enterprise customers in the hydropower and water management sectors.

Product overview

Fishcon offers a single core product: the Fishcon Lock (also known as Fishcon-Schleuse or 2-Chamber Organism Bypass), a patented hydraulic fish pass technology. The product is available in two standardized designs: the DN Version (for larger height differences up to 6m with energy generation capability) and the IPE Version (narrower, more economical design for smaller applications 1-4m). Fishcon also develops a video monitoring system for automated fish detection and a small hydropower plant concept as future products. The company provides complete project handling from location assessment through implementation with partner companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fishcon Lock (Fishcon-Schleuse / 2-Chamber Organism Bypass) A patented hydraulic fish pass technology using two lock chambers that enables continuous fish migration in both upstream and downstream directions through dams, hydropower plants, and water barriers. For hydropower operators, weir owners, and public authorities. Available in DN and IPE versions, with optional turbine for energy generation.
• Fishcon Lock DN Version Standard Fishcon lock design with two parallel pipes, adjustable to site height differences up to approximately 6 m. Allows multiple adjustments and energetic use of conducting current via optional turbine. For hydropower operators needing energy recovery at sites with larger height differences.
• Fishcon Lock IPE Version Narrower and more economical Fishcon lock design for smaller bodies of water and height differences of approximately 1 to 4 m. Features natural lighting of chambers; does not support energetic use of conducting current. For smaller hydropower sites and family-owned operators with constrained space.
• Project Handling and Consulting Services Full project lifecycle services including free location checks, site and suitability assessment, planning support, coordination with partner companies, and commissioning. For hydropower operators, weir/dam owners, and public authorities evaluating or implementing fish passage solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% water savings compared to conventional slot fish passes at comparable sites
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AWMA Water Control SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 July 2025Australian company AWMA Water Control Solutions (118 Roviras Road, PO Box 433, Cohuna, Victoria, Australia 3568) specializes in hydraulic steel structures and fish protection. AWMA has completed numerous projects across Australia and New Zealand and serves as the regional partner for Fishcon Lock distribution in these markets. Contact: Brett Kelly (Managing Director), +61 3 5456 3331.
• Multiconsult (Norway)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Norwegian engineering and consultancy firm Multiconsult collaborated with Fishcon and Troll Systems during a site visit to a Norwegian fish farm in March 2025 to assess the potential application of the Fishcon Lock for a site with significant height differences and minimal water flow requirements (50 l/s).
• Whooshh Innovations, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 January 2024Seattle-based Whooshh Innovations, Inc. (Pier 91 – Port of Seattle, Bldg 156, 2001 West Garfield Street, WA 98119) entered into partnership with Fishcon at the end of 2023 to distribute the Fishcon Lock in Canada and Sweden. Whooshh is known for innovative fish passage technology. Contact: Mike Messina (Director of Business Development).
• WWS Wasserkraft GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 September 2022Family-run Austrian company WWS Wasserkraft GmbH, based in Neufelden, Austria (Oberfeuchtenbach 11, 4120), enjoys an excellent worldwide reputation for high quality and innovative hydropower products. WWS serves as the exclusive sales and distribution partner for the Fishcon Lock in the USA and Japan markets. Contact: Markus Peherstorfer (Technical Sales), +43 7282 5922 44.
• Fishheart Ltd. (Kalasydän Oy)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 September 2022Finnish company Fishheart Ltd. has developed innovative fish migration and fish protection solutions including the 'Hydraulic Fishway'. Fishheart serves as sales and distribution partner for Finland, offering the Fishcon Lock alongside its own product range.
• Troll Systems AScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Norwegian company Troll Systems AS (Bodø, Norway) handles sales and distribution of the Fishcon Lock in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland. Troll Systems brings local hydropower expertise and market relationships to these Scandinavian markets. Contact: Rune Rørstad (CEO), +47 930 52 911.
• Graz University of Technology (TU Graz)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Fishcon began turbine development in collaboration with TU Graz in 2019, aiming to integrate small-scale hydropower generation into the Fishcon Lock system.
• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Fishcon developed the Fishcon Lock from 2016 to 2020 in cooperation with BOKU, which conducted scientific investigations of the technology. BOKU performed comprehensive fish-ecological monitoring of pilot plants (2017, 2019) and provided functionality assessments (Grade 1). The partnership established the scientific credibility of the Fishcon Lock technology.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights15 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC5eK7mCw_3abCZkYtk3AZnw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FISHCON.GmbH

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fishcon