Tabakfabrik

What Tabakfabrik does

Tabakfabrik Linz is a municipally-owned creative and innovation campus in Linz, Austria, operated by Tabakfabrik Linz Entwicklungs- und Betriebsgesellschaft mbH, a GmbH wholly owned by the City of Linz. The City acquired the heritage-listed former tobacco factory (built 1929–1935 by architects Peter Behrens and Alexander Popp) in 2009 and has since redeveloped the 38,000 m² protected complex into a multi-use hub hosting approximately 250 tenant organizations and more than 2,500 daily users across creative industries, technology startups, cultural institutions, and educational facilities. Core tenants include Ars Electronica Solutions, SMEC, Bergardi, Ubitec, Creative Region Linz, Kunstuniversität Linz, Diakonie, Brau Union/Linzer Bier, ARCOTEL (from April 2026), and the ORF's SOKO Linz production; the QUADRILL expansion completed in January 2026 added a 109-meter tower, 175 apartments, ~18,000 m² of office space, and ~3,000 m² of retail.

The business operates three revenue streams: recurring office and atelier rentals across nine+ buildings (CASABLANCA, SMART, HAVANNA, FALK, DAMES, QUADRILL, MEMPHIS, BOSTON, VIRGINIA); one-time event venue rentals across 10 distinct spaces ranging from EUR 310/day (Beppo, 60 m²) to EUR 2,500/day (Hörsaal 0, 232 m²) plus premium-priced Lösehalle (1,300 m²); and ancillary programming (GRAND GARAGE makerspace, Creative Summer School, guided tours, the 90 Jahre Rauch & Schall exhibition). Pricing is mostly pay-as-you-go or annual subscription; 95% of space is currently rented. Distribution is direct sales via email ([email protected]), the termine.gv.at booking platform, and community-led referrals, supported by active Instagram and LinkedIn presence, a press function led by Head of Community & Communications Elisabeth Gail, and event-driven demand generation through weekly Grand Garage tours and the annual Open Day.

The entity is managed by two Geschäftsführer: Denise Halak (strategic) and Markus Eidenberger (commercial, also MD of Immobilien Linz), with Thomas Gegenhuber as Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender. Property management was transferred to GWG (a City of Linz subsidiary) effective January 2026. There are no external equity investors, no traditional funding rounds, and revenue is not publicly disclosed; the company operates as a public-sector development and operating entity rather than a venture-backed business.

Name

Tabakfabrik

Legal name

Tabakfabrik Linz Entwicklungs- und Betriebsgesellschaft mbH

Website

https://tabakfabrik-linz.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tabakfabrik Linz is a municipally-owned creative and innovation campus in Linz, Austria, operating as a multi-use venue and real estate operator offering office rentals, event spaces, and cultural programming across a 38,000 m² heritage site hosting ~250 organizations and 2,500 daily users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Workspace and Event Venue Rental

NAICS

Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices (551114), General Rental Centers (53231)

SIC

Operators Of Nonresidential Buildings (6512), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Mixed-Use Property Management (BPAJAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Rentals (Tents, Furniture, A/V, Decor) (HSACAAAG), Large-Scale Headquarters Convention Hotels (THAGALAH)

Keywords

• Creative workspace rental
• Event venue rental
• Heritage property management
• Innovation campus operations
• Community makerspace programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Linz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Office Space Rental: The Tabakfabrik generates revenue by renting office spaces, ateliers, and co-working areas to around 250 organizations including startups, creative agencies, tech companies, and cultural institutions. Spaces range from individual desks to entire office floors in buildings named after historical cigarette brands (CASABLANCA, HAVANNA, FALK, SMART, etc.).
2. Event Venue Rental: The Tabakfabrik rents out unique event spaces including Hörsaal 0 (232 m², up to 230 persons, €2,500/day), Lösehalle (1,300 m², up to 850 persons, price on request), Klubkantine (150 m², up to 95 persons, €700/day), and various workshop/seminar rooms. Revenue is generated through daily/half-day rental fees plus optional add-ons.
3. Workshop Space Rental: Smaller seminar and workshop rooms (Cuba, Libre, Nautilus, Beppo, Tschick.Galerie, Marktplatz, Freiraum) are rented at daily or unit rates, with optional catering packages and equipment add-ons.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tabakfabrik Linz operates a 38,000 m² municipal creative and innovation campus built around a Peter Behrens-designed 1935 tobacco factory in Linz, Austria. It rents office, atelier, and co-working space to roughly 250 tenant organizations; books out ten distinct event and workshop venues for conferences, galas, weddings, and seminars; runs the nearly 2,000 m² Grand Garage makerspace; and delivers community programming (Creative Summer School, the 90 Jahre Rauch & Schall historical exhibition, and guided tours). The model blends commercial property leasing with event-venue hospitality and educational/cultural programming on a single heritage site.

Product overview

Tabakfabrik Linz operates as a multi-faceted creative and innovation campus offering three core product lines: (1) Event venue rental — a portfolio of 10 distinct spaces including the flagship 1,300 m² Lösehalle, the brewery-view Hörsaal 0 (232 m², up to 230 persons), Klubkantine, Nautilus, Beppo, Cuba, Libre, Tschick.Galerie, Marktplatz, and Freiraum; (2) Workspace and office rental — flexible office spaces across 9+ buildings (CASABLANCA, SMART, HAVANNA, FALK, DAMES, QUADRILL, MEMPHIS, BOSTON, VIRGINIA) for approximately 250 tenant organizations; and (3) Cultural and maker offerings — the GRAND GARAGE maker space with digital fabrication equipment, the Creative Summer School educational program, and the '90 Jahre Rauch & Schall' historical exhibition featuring an AI-powered interactive exhibit. The venue booking system operates via email inquiry rather than a self-service web portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Office space rental (Bürofläche mieten) Flexible office, atelier and co-working rentals across nine heritage and new buildings (CASABLANCA, SMART, HAVANNA, FALK, DAMES, QUADRILL, MEMPHIS, BOSTON, VIRGINIA), currently occupied at 95% by approximately 250 tenant organizations ranging from individual desks to large team offices on the 38,000 m² campus.
• Hörsaal 0 event venue 232 m² premium event space on the first floor of Haus KRAFTWERK inside the Linzer Bier brewery, accommodating up to 230 persons with cinema, standing, school-table, banquet, gala and standing-table layouts, panoramic brewery views, and cinema seating, AV system, microphones and 6x3m stage. Priced at EUR 2,500 net/day.
• Lösehalle flagship event hall 1,300 m² flagship event hall in Haus CASABLANCA for galas, concerts, congresses and trade fairs accommodating up to 850 persons, with backtrussing, indirect ceiling lighting, 6x4m stage, indoor pre-zone, ticket office and 120 m² pre-zone. Price on request.
• Klubkantine event space 150 m² versatile event space for private celebrations and business gatherings, accommodating up to 95 persons, with stage, sound system, customizable lighting and high tables for 60. Priced at EUR 700 net/day.
• Nautilus workshop/seminar room 140 m² lab-style workshop space accommodating up to 50 persons, divided into two halves with cinema seating (50) on one side and a U-table (20) with Webex video conferencing on the other, projector and screen. Priced at EUR 610 net/day.
• Beppo workshop room 60 m² workshop room in Haus FALK Art Magazin accommodating up to 10 persons in U-table or lounge-circle setups, with HDMI monitor, video conferencing, flipcharts, moderation kit and optional catering. Priced at EUR 310 net/day plus EUR 16/person/day package.
• Cuba seminar room 170 m² seminar room in Haus HAVANNA with the building's distinctive glass-brick facade, accommodating up to 80 persons, kitchenette included, combinable with adjacent Libre room. Priced at EUR 710 net/day.
• Libre workshop room 65 m² workshop room in Haus HAVANNA for up to 20 persons with HDMI monitor, 3 flipcharts and 3 pinboards, usable standalone or combined with Cuba for breakout space. Priced at EUR 360 net/day plus EUR 16/person/day package.
• Freiraum wellness/coaching room 50 m² bright light-filled room on Haus FALK 3rd floor for up to 10 persons, suited for yoga, relaxation exercises, coaching and consultations, with yoga mats and related equipment provided. Priced at EUR 25 net per 2.5-hour unit.
• Marktplatz open event space 400 m² flexible event surface located between Tangible Music Lab and Valie Export Center in Haus CASABLANCA for up to 150 persons, with WLAN and bring-your-own catering option. Priced at EUR 800 net/day.
• Tschick.Galerie creative event space 161 m² creative event space for up to 50 persons with reception and bar, lounge area, sound system, 4 flipcharts, 3 pinboards and library; available Monday to Thursday. Priced at EUR 650 net/day.
• Grand Garage makerspace Nearly 2,000 m² innovation workshop in Haus SMART providing access to 3D printers, laser cutters, plotters, screen printing and sewing/embroidery machines, with free guided tours every Friday at 4 PM. Operated as part of TGW Future Wings.
• Creative Summer School (children's program) One-week summer program for children aged 8–12 exploring creative industries through daily themes including future fashion design, photography, robotics and architecture, including meals and materials, priced at EUR 300 incl. VAT per child/week, with a 20% discount for Creative Region Members.
• 90 Jahre Rauch & Schall — 90-year anniversary exhibition Historical exhibition marking 90 years of the Tabakfabrik, tracing the site's transformation from a 1935 tobacco factory to a creative and innovation quarter, including the AI-powered Poldi interactive cigarette-vending-machine exhibit. Free admission.
• Guided campus tours (Führungen) Public and private guided tours of the Tabakfabrik campus including weekly free Grand Garage makerspace tours every Friday at 4 PM (no registration), SOKO Linz TV-set tours, Linzer Bier brewery tours, and custom group tours for 10+ persons arranged via [email protected].

Quantifiable outcome

• 250+ organizations, 2,500+ daily users
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Creative Region Linz & Upper AustriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 August 2026Creative Region Linz organizes the Creative Summer School program for children ages 8-12 at the Tabakfabrik. Partners include Kunstuniversität Linz (Fashion & Technology, Creative Robotics), afo, ms.fotogroup, and Ars Electronica Solutions. Creative Region also operates the Behrens Lab workshop space.
• ARCOTEL TabakfabrikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Austria's ARCOTEL Hotels group opened the Arcotel Tabakfabrik in April 2026 with 189 rooms and suites, approximately 1,000 m² conference space, and Q27 restaurant/bar on the 27th floor. The hotel is located in the QUADRILL Tower.
• BRAU UNION ÖSTERREICH (Linzer Bier Brauerei)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2026The Linzer Bier brewery returned production to the Tabakfabrik site in 2022, operating in the former Kraftwerk building. Since March 2026, BRAU UNION ÖSTERREICH's headquarters resides in Haus VIRGINIA. Brewery tours with tastings are offered during Open Days.
• Real-TreuhandminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 February 2026Real-Treuhand provides technical maintenance services for the Tabakfabrik and QUADRILL, including 24/7 technical emergency service.
• BODNER GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Tiroler construction company Bodner Gruppe developed and owns the QUADRILL four-building ensemble. The EUR 190 million project was completed in early 2026 after construction started in February 2021. Bodner Gruppe partnered with architecture firm Zechner & Zechner (Vienna) and construction consortium DYWIDAG BODNER.
• GWG (Gemeinnützige Wohnungsgesellschaft der Stadt Linz GmbH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026The Tabakfabrik Linz has commissioned GWG, the municipal housing company of Linz, with property management for the historic listed site. Starting January 1, 2026, GWG handles tenant management, rent billing, operating cost settlements, and procurement of services. Per February 1, 2026, GWG also assumed management of the QUADRILL complex including the 27-story tower. This is the first cooperation between Tabakfabrik Linz and GWG as subsidiaries of the City of Linz group.
• Hack-Nation (Global AI Hackathon)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 May 2025Hack-Nation's 6th Global AI Hackathon took place July 18-19, 2026 at the Tabakfabrik. The event attracted 2,000+ builders from 65+ countries with $200k+ in API credits and $35k in prizes. Top teams could pitch at MIT AI Conference.
• TGW Future Wings (TGW Group)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2019GRAND GARAGE, the nearly 2,000 m² makerspace, is part of TGW Future Wings - the social entrepreneurship initiative of TGW Group. TGW Future Wings creates innovative educational projects for positive social change. Grand Garage opened February 28, 2019 in Haus SMART.
• Diakonie (Diakoniewerk)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDiakonie has provided integrative facility management at Tabakfabrik for over 10 years. Seven supported employees work with two specialist staff maintaining grounds, green areas, and building cleanliness. The partnership exemplifies the social mission of the Tabakfabrik.
• Immobilien Linz GmbH & Co KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs the property owner, Immobilien Linz GmbH & Co KG partnered with Tabakfabrik Linz on the international landscape architecture competition for the Peter-Behrens-Platz (PBPneu) redesign. The competition process involves the Tabakfabrik community in selecting the winning design.
• SOKO Linz (ORF)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerORF's crime series SOKO Linz has filmed at the Tabakfabrik since 2021, using it as their main filming location including a police commissariat set with pathology. Tours of the SOKO set are offered during Open Days.
• Responsive SpacesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResponsive Spaces designed the '90 Jahre Rauch & Schall' exhibition celebrating 90 years of Tabakfabrik Linz. The exhibition uses digital presentations to make the history tangible at the site of transformation.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• HafenCity Hamburg: Large-scale urban development project in Hamburg converting a former port into mixed-use office, residential, cultural, and retail space. Comparable to QUADRILL's role as a major mixed-use development adjoining the Tabakfabrik heritage site.

Direct peers

• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused innovation hubs combining co-working, event venues, and incubation programming. Comparable to Tabakfabrik Linz's blended creative-economy ecosystem with social mission overlay (similar to TGW Future Wings / Diakonie partnerships).
• Betahaus Berlin: Berlin co-working and event space operator offering flexible office rentals, workshops, and community programming. Comparable to Tabakfabrik's workshop and event venue rental product line (Freiraum, Beppo, Cuba, Libre, Marktplatz, etc.).
• The Trampery: UK-based social enterprise operating creative campuses, co-working spaces, and event venues with a mission focus on inclusion and community. Comparable to Tabakfabrik Linz's mix of office, event, and educational programming with public-sector / mission-driven ownership model.
• Lokremise St. Gallen: Cultural and event venue housed in a heritage-listed former railway depot in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Directly comparable to Tabakfabrik Linz's adaptive reuse of a 1930s industrial heritage building into event, cultural, and community programming space.
• Station F: Station F is the world's largest startup campus in Paris, offering office space, event programming, makerspace facilities, and a curated community of 1,000+ startups. Directly comparable as a destination startup/creative campus with mixed office + event + maker model.
• Factory Berlin: Factory Berlin operates large-scale creative and tech campuses in Berlin combining office rentals, event venues, makerspaces, and curated communities. Closely comparable to Tabakfabrik Linz as a multi-tenant innovation campus with event revenue streams.
• Garage Italia: Milan-based creative lab and event venue housed in a heritage former aircraft hangar, combining design showroom, event space, and brand experience programming. Comparable to Tabakfabrik Linz's heritage industrial space repurposed for creative-economy tenants and premium events.

Regional players

• Ars Electronica Center Linz: Neighboring Linz institution and former parent ecosystem of Tabakfabrik's first tenant Ars Electronica Solutions. Operates the Ars Electronica Center museum and festival. Comparable as a Linz-based creative-economy anchor but focused on cultural exhibitions rather than property.
• Sektor5 Coworking Vienna: Austrian co-working operator (Sektor5) serving Vienna-based startups and creative tenants. Comparable as an Austrian co-working/event space peer though smaller in scale and without the heritage industrial campus or municipal ownership dimension.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tabakfabrik-linz
• Instagraminstagram.com/tabakfabriklinz
• Xx.com/tabakfabriklinz
• Facebookfacebook.com/tabakfabriklinz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Tabakfabrik