Business Upper Austria

Name

Business Upper Austria

Legal name

OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH

Website

https://biz-up.at

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Linz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding and Public Funding Programs: As a state-owned economic development agency (OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH), Business Upper Austria is funded primarily through the Government of Upper Austria. The organization also facilitates access to various regional, national, and European funding programs for client companies, including FFG (Austrian Research Promotion Agency) projects and Interreg programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Business Upper Austria (OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH) is the official state location agency of Upper Austria, delivering tailor-made solutions for national and international companies seeking to invest, expand, or innovate in the region. Core offerings include investor and location management, human capital management (skilled worker recruitment, qualification, retention), research and innovation funding advice, and cluster-based networking across 11 industry clusters (Automotive, Mechatronics, Medical Technology, Food, IT, Cleantech, Building Innovation, Plastics, Human Capital Management, Softwarepark Hagenberg, and Investor Service). Services are funded primarily by the Government of Upper Austria and provided free of charge to companies.

Product overview

Business Upper Austria (OÖ Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH) is the business location agency of the State of Upper Austria, operating as a cluster-based platform rather than a traditional product company. Its core offerings are organized around ten industry clusters (Automotive, Mechatronics, Medical Technology, Food, IT, Cleantech, Building Innovation, Plastics, Human Capital Management, and Softwarepark Hagenberg), each providing a partner database, ERFA experience-exchange rounds, qualification programs, and media/sponsorship services. Cross-cutting services include Investor & Location Management, Research & Innovation Funding Advice, and Human Capital Management. Strategic initiatives include #upperVISION2030 (the region's economic and research strategy), the Future Mobility Region, and UpperWork 2030. Notable funded projects include ROBERTA (automated bus operations), FoodAIcademy, SustainTool, AMRT, CAM-Sustain, and the Step by Step towards Sustainability program. Publication products include the MC-report (Mechatronics Cluster) and MTC-connect (Medical Technology Cluster).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Automotive Cluster: Automotive sector network and cooperation cluster
• Building Innovation Cluster
• Cleantech Cluster
• Human Capital Management
• IT Cluster
• Plastics Cluster
• Food Cluster
• Mechatronics Cluster
• Medical Technology Cluster
• Softwarepark Hagenberg

Products and services

• Cluster & Cooperation Services Cross-sector networking and cooperation across 11 industry clusters, offering partner databases, ERFA experience-exchange rounds, workshops, media/sponsorship opportunities, and qualification programs tailored to each sector. Each cluster functions as an ongoing service program that companies can join.
• Investor & Location Management National and international investor onboarding and location expansion support, including site selection, permits, and regulatory guidance, aimed at creating jobs and economic value in Upper Austria.
• Human Capital Management Specialized recruitment, qualification, and retention support for skilled workers, including international talent management, workforce training, and labor market services for Upper Austrian companies.
• Research & Innovation Funding Advice Advisory services connecting companies with regional, national, and European research and innovation funding programs (FFG, EU Horizon Europe), plus technology transfer support and intellectual property guidance.
• Automotive Cluster A cross-sector network of approximately 2,200 companies supporting the automotive (supplier) sector, with qualification programs in quality management and project management and the Future Mobility Region flagship initiative.
• Mechatronics Cluster Cross-sector mechatronics network bridging mechanical engineering, plant engineering, and technology suppliers, with key topics in smart engineering, intelligent production, and industrial services. Co-sponsored with ecoplus (Lower Austria).
• Medical Technology Cluster (MTC) Cross-sector network positioned as the central interface between business, science, and medicine in Austria, focusing on digital health, medical materials, regulatory affairs, care technologies, MedTech Incubator, and Smart MedTech Check. Partners include JKU Linz.
• Food Cluster (LC) Cross-sector food sector network bridging companies, research institutions, and decision-makers, focused on food safety, quality management, sustainable packaging, digital transformation, and innovative production technologies.
• IT Cluster Network supporting IT companies and professionals in Upper Austria, connecting them with industry partners and facilitating collaboration across the regional technology ecosystem.
• Cleantech Cluster Cluster focused on environmental and clean technology solutions, supporting companies in sustainability, circular economy, and green innovation initiatives.
• Building Innovation Cluster Network supporting innovation in the building and construction sector, facilitating cooperation between companies and research institutions.
• Plastics Cluster Sector network for the plastics industry covering sustainable packaging, circular design, recycling, and advanced plastics processing technologies.
• Softwarepark Hagenberg Technology park and software industry hub at Hagenberg, providing office space, community management, and networking for software companies and research institutions in Upper Austria.
• Human Capital Management Cluster Dedicated cluster supporting workforce-related initiatives including talent acquisition, international talent management, upskilling, and organizational development for Upper Austrian companies.

Quantifiable outcome

• 280 companies and research institutions engaged in Future Mobility Region initiative
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major and minor.

• GoogleflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Google broke ground on its first Austrian data center in Kronstorf, Upper Austria. Business Upper Austria framed this as a significant boost to Upper Austria's competitiveness as an innovation and business hub. The project creates 100 direct jobs and thousands more through construction, suppliers, and local businesses.
• University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (Steyr Campus, Logistics Center)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead project management for ROBERTA automated bus initiative. Developing foundations for integrating highly automated buses into existing public transit systems.
• DigiTrans GmbHflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead for Upper Austria Pilot Region and Lead for Pilot Regions Work Package in ROBERTA automated bus project.
• KEBA Group AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides passenger assistance system on the automated bus in the ROBERTA project.
• Robert Bosch AGmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes charging management, connectivity, and cybersecurity expertise to the ROBERTA automated bus project.
• Software Competence Center Hagenberg GmbHmajorTechnology or IntegrationHandles evaluation and data processing for the ROBERTA automated bus project.
• OÖ Verkehrsverbund-Organisations GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResponsible for planning and scheduling of buses in the Upper Austria Pilot Region of the ROBERTA project.
• Wilhelm Welser Verkehrsbetriebe GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus operator for the Upper Austria Pilot Region in the ROBERTA automated bus project.
• ALP.Lab GmbHmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead for the Styria and Carinthia Pilot Regions in the ROBERTA automated bus project.
• JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the ROBERTA automated bus consortium.
• Virtual Vehicle Research GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner contributing to ROBERTA automated bus project.
• Austrian Road Safety BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes road safety expertise to ROBERTA automated bus project.
• Graz Energy AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner in ROBERTA initiative focused on energy aspects of automated buses.
• Innsbruck Public Transport and Stubaitalbahn GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in Tyrol pilot region of ROBERTA automated bus project.
• FH OÖ Studienbetriebs GmbH, Campus WelsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institution partner in the FFG qualification project 'Step by step towards sustainability' for the food industry, providing food technology and nutrition expertise.
• MV Chili-Manufaktur GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood industry partner in the sustainability training consortium.
• Guschlbauer Backwaren GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBakery company partner in sustainability training program.
• Multikraft Produktions- und HandelsgmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood production company participating in sustainability qualification project.
• Concept fresh Vertriebsgesellschaft m.b.H.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood distribution company partner in sustainability training consortium.
• University of Applied Sciences Upper AustriamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI skilling collaboration partner with Google's data center in Kronstorf, Austria.
• JKU - Johannes Kepler University LinzmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner of the Medical Technology Cluster, providing academic research connections.
• ecoplus. Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur GmbHflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Mechatronics Cluster together with Business Upper Austria. Manages the St. Pölten office of the Mechatronics Cluster. Joint initiative of Upper Austria and Lower Austria.
• Research and Technology Council for Upper Austria (RFT OÖ)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpert committee advising the Upper Austrian state government on research, innovation and technology topics since 2003. Works under the motto 'Encourage, Initiate, Give Impulse'.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Enterprise Singapore: Singapore government agency driving enterprise development, industry transformation, and international company attraction. Operates the same public-sector cluster + transformation + investor model at a national scale with parallel programs around industry upgrading.
• NRW.Global Business: North Rhine-Westphalia's state economic development corporation providing investor consulting, cluster management, and innovation promotion. Operates the same German Bundesland-style model targeting international companies, making it directly comparable in mandate and service portfolio.
• SelectUSA: U.S. federal program within the International Trade Administration promoting and facilitating business investment in the United States. Comparable public-sector investment promotion mandate with cluster and regional outreach focus.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): Japanese government-affiliated agency promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and supporting Japanese companies abroad. Provides a national-scale analog to Business Upper Austria's investor attraction and industry support mandate.
• Invest in Bavaria: Bavaria's state-level business location and investment promotion agency with cluster-based industry promotion. Operates an essentially identical cluster + investor + innovation service model to Business Upper Austria and is its cross-border peer via shared Interreg projects.
• Austrian Business Agency (ABA): Austria's national investment promotion agency providing international investor attraction and location consulting. Operates the same public-sector model at the federal level, serving as a structural peer for cross-border investor flows that Business Upper Austria targets regionally.
• Business France: French national agency supporting international expansion of French companies and attracting foreign investment into France. Structurally comparable as a national-level public agency performing investor services, innovation support, and cluster facilitation.
• ecoplus. Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH: Lower Austria's state economic development agency operating the same Standortagentur model with industry clusters, investor attraction, and innovation funding advisory. Co-sponsors the Mechatronics Cluster with Business Upper Austria, making it the most directly comparable peer.

Others

• FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency: Austria's national research funding agency that provides substantial funding (€3.5M for ROBERTA) and serves as a key financial partner to Business Upper Austria's innovation programs. Adjacent enabling partner rather than direct competitor.
• JKU - Johannes Kepler University Linz: Major Upper Austrian university and strategic partner of the Medical Technology Cluster. Functions as an adjacent enabling partner for innovation, talent, and research commercialization within Business Upper Austria's cluster ecosystem rather than as a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/businessupperaustria
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/businessupperaustria
• Instagraminstagram.com/upperazzi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Business Upper Austria