Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES)

What Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) does

The Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) is an independent, non-profit research institute (Verein) founded in 1996 and headquartered in Vienna at Tivoligasse 73a, 1120 Wien, with an association address registered in Hainburg/Donau. The organization employs approximately 28 staff and fellows and is governed by a Präsidium led by President Dr. Werner Fasslabend, Vice Presidents Dr. Peter Fichtenbauer and Christine Muttonen, and Director Michael Zinkanell. Its functional mandate is to deliver expert analysis, policy recommendations, and public awareness programming on European integration, EU neighborhood policy, Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and its interaction with NATO, Austrian foreign and security policy, and Indo-Pacific geopolitical developments.

The institute's core 'products' are knowledge artifacts rather than software: three branded publication series (AIES FOCUS policy briefs, AIES STUDIES detailed analyses, AIES COMMENT expert commentaries), a searchable AIES Datenbank of research outputs, the 'Aus sicherer Quelle' podcast, event recordings on YouTube, and structured scenario projects such as 'Ready for 2029' developed jointly with the Austrian Defence Lab and European Forum Wachau/Alpbach. Underlying delivery relies on a multi-channel distribution footprint — website, newsletter, LinkedIn/X/Facebook/Instagram, podcast, and recurring media placements in ORF (Ö1), Die Presse, Salzburger Nachrichten, APA, Frankfurter Rundschau, and Münchner Merkur. There is no proprietary technology platform; web stack is standard (Google Analytics, Tag Manager, Usercentrics consent, YouTube, Zoom).

AIES's go-to-market is sales-led but operates in a public-policy services register rather than a commercial one. Revenue streams are (i) commissioned research contracts and joint workshops with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence (BMLV) and other public bodies, (ii) event revenue from workshops and conferences held in cooperation with ministries and international partners, and (iii) membership/donations supporting the non-profit association. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; publications and public events are provided free of charge, while commissioned research and expert workshops are delivered under contract. Customer concentration sits heavily with the BMLV, supplemented by network co-production arrangements with ETNC, Eurodefense, GLOBSEC, the Diplomatische Akademie Wien, Austrian Defence Lab, VIGS, YATA Austria, and selected foreign missions (e.g., the Vietnamese Embassy in Vienna).

Name

Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES)

Legal name

Austria Institut für Europa- und Sicherheitspolitik

Website

https://aies.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) is an independent, non-profit Vienna-based think tank founded in 1996 (~28 staff) that produces policy analysis, publications, podcasts, and expert workshops on European integration, EU-NATO security, and Indo-Pacific affairs for the Austrian government, ministries, and international partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vienna

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research Contracts: Commissioned research studies and analyses for government bodies, particularly the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence (BMLV). Studies on EU-NATO cooperation, European defense industry, and security policy.
2. Event Revenue: Revenue from organizing workshops, conferences, and expert discussions. Events often held in cooperation with government ministries and international partners.
3. Membership and Donations: Non-profit institute supported by members and institutional donors. Association structure with president and board members.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AIES is an independent, non-profit research institute that produces expert analysis and policy recommendations on European security, defense, and foreign affairs. Its deliverables include the AIES FOCUS (analytical briefs), AIES STUDIES (comprehensive research reports), and AIES COMMENT (expert commentary) publication series, complemented by the "Aus sicherer Quelle" podcast, a searchable publication database, and scenario projects such as "Ready for 2029." Revenue derives mainly from commissioned research contracts with public bodies (notably the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence), events, and membership/donor support.

Product overview

The Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) is an independent, non-profit research institute founded in 1996, providing expert analysis and policy recommendations on security, defense, and foreign affairs. Rather than a unified software product, AIES operates as a think tank offering a portfolio of research publications and knowledge services. The core offerings include the AIES FOCUS series (analytical briefs), AIES STUDIES (comprehensive research reports), and AIES COMMENT (expert commentary) publication series covering topics such as European integration, EU neighborhood policy, Indo-Pacific affairs, and Austrian foreign policy. Supplementary offerings include the 'Aus sicherer Quelle' podcast featuring expert discussions on geopolitics, a searchable database of publications, scenario development projects like 'Ready for 2029', workshops and events, and media engagement services. The institute positions itself as a public awareness and educational resource rather than a commercial product company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AIES FOCUS

Quantifiable outcome

• Organized multiple workshops and events annually with participation from government ministries, international organizations, and academic institutions.
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Bundesministerium für Landesverteidigung (BMLV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence on research security, hybrid warfare, and European defense topics. Joint workshops and commissioned research on defense policy and research security.
• Diplomatische Akademie WiencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on events and expert discussions on European security policy. Joint organization of panel discussions and workshops on defense topics.
• European Forum WachaumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in the 'Ready for 2029' scenario project examining European defense capabilities. Joint workshops held at Forum Wachau on European security scenarios.
• European Forum AlpbachmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the 'Ready for 2029' project and security track programming at the European Forum Alpbach. Expert contributions to Alpbach discussions.
• Austrian Defence LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint founders of the 'Ready for 2029' scenario project on European defense preparedness. Collaboration on scenario development and workshops.
• European Think-tank Network on China (ETNC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member of the ETNC network producing joint reports on Europe's China policy. Contributed reports on de-risking, strategic autonomy, and Indo-Pacific strategies.
• EurodefensecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in Eurodefense Working Groups on European strategic defence. Contributed to publications on NATO-EU interplay and European defence framework.
• Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint organization of events including the 'What if the U.S. got Greenland?' workshop with VIGS and Vienna School of International Studies.
• YATA Austria (Young Academic Transient)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth wing of NATO cooperation. AIES hosts and collaborates with YATA Austria for events and youth engagement on security policy.
• Vietnamesische Botschaft WienminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation on workshop 'Strategic Autonomy: European and Southeast Asian Perspectives' held in Vienna.
• University of ViennaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic cooperation with University of Vienna. Research fellows maintain academic connections and the institute engages with university research programmes.
• GLOBSECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in GLOBSEC Forum in Prague with staff presenting research on European security and defence.
• European Network Conference on Research SecurityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipation in European Network Conference on Research Security held in Delft. Staff led discussions on defense-related technologies.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS):

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AIES_austria
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCC24vD6qckjpVSWnr2rWQCw
• Facebookfacebook.com/aiesvienna
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aies-at
• Instagraminstagram.com/aies_austria

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES)