Association of Automation Technologies Styria

What Association of Automation Technologies Styria does

AT Styria (legal name: AT Styria Plattform Automatisierungstechnik; previously ARGE Plattform Automatisierungstechnik Steiermark) is a member-driven industry networking association founded in 2016 and headquartered within the WKO Steiermark (Chamber of Commerce Styria) facilities at Körblergasse 111-113, 8010 Graz, Austria. The organization operates as an Arbeitsgemeinschaft (working group) connecting automation technology companies, educational institutions (including FH CAMPUS 02), and research organizations (including Fraunhofer Austria Research and Virtual Vehicle Research) across the Styria region. Its stated purpose is to facilitate cross-industry networking, knowledge transfer, capacity matching between member organizations, joint lobbying, and internationalization support for the regional automation sector.

The association's product surface consists of digital directory tools and event programming rather than a unified software product. Core platform features include the Kompetenzatlas (Competence Atlas), an interactive database for mapping member competencies and finding project partners; JobFinder, a regional job-listing platform; TechFinder, a technology discovery tool; and NewsFinder, an industry news aggregator. Beyond digital tools, AT Styria runs recurring event series such as MABiF (Maschinen- und Anlagenbau im Fokus), Breakfast Club networking sessions, EXPERTtalks, and "Hands-on KI in der Praxis" (Hands-on AI in Practice) workshops covering practical AI implementation and EU AI Act compliance.

The revenue model is subscription-recurring via membership fees paid by participating companies, educational institutions, and research organizations; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization is governed by a board including Chairman Herbert Ritter (also Vice President of WKO Steiermark), Managing Director Helmut Röck, and Vice Chairman Udo Traussnigg (FH Campus 02), with staff of approximately five employees. There is no equity ownership, external investment, or parent-subsidiary structure; AT Styria is institutionally embedded within WKO Steiermark. The association's regional economic footprint is significant relative to its own size, with the Styrian automation technology sector employing over 44,000 people and generating approximately €6.3 billion in annual value creation.

Name

Association of Automation Technologies Styria

Legal name

AT Styria Plattform Automatisierungstechnik

Website

https://at-styria.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AT Styria is a member-driven industry association founded in 2016 that connects automation technology companies, educational institutions, and research organizations in Styria, Austria through networking, digital directory tools, and event programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Association and Networking Platform

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Instrumentation, Controls & Automation Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM), Virtual Recruitment Events, Fairs & Webinar Platforms (EDAIACAF)

Keywords

• Industry association networking
• Automation technology cluster
• Competence mapping platform
• Industry research collaboration
• Manufacturing network services

Headquarters

HQ city

Graz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Revenue is generated through membership fees from companies, educational institutions, and research organizations participating in the automation technology network.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AT Styria operates a regional networking platform (ARGE) that connects automation technology companies, educational institutions, and research organizations in Styria, Austria. Its core deliverables include the Kompetenzatlas (Competence Atlas) directory, JobFinder, NewsFinder, and TechFinder digital tools, alongside recurring event series such as MABiF, Breakfast Club, EXPERTtalks, and Hands-on KI workshops that facilitate knowledge transfer, partner matching, and internationalization support for member organizations.

Product overview

AT Styria operates as a networking platform for automation technology companies in Styria, Austria. The organization functions as a connection hub bringing together companies, education, and research rather than offering a unified software product. Its core platform features include the Kompetenzatlas (Competence Atlas) for mapping company capabilities, JobFinder for career connections, NewsFinder for industry news aggregation, and TechFinder for technology discovery. Beyond these digital tools, AT Styria facilitates professional development through event series including MABiF (Maschinen- und Anlagenbau im Fokus), the Breakfast Club, EXPERTtalks, and Hands-on KI in der Praxis workshops on AI implementation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kompetenzatlas (Competence Atlas) A searchable directory mapping the competencies, capabilities, and expertise of automation technology companies in Styria, enabling businesses to find partners for specific technical requirements. Targeted at member companies, educational institutions, and research organizations.
• JobFinder A job search platform connecting job seekers with career opportunities in the Styrian automation technology sector, featuring listings from member companies.
• NewsFinder A news aggregation tool providing curated industry news and updates relevant to the automation technology community in Styria.
• TechFinder A technology search tool enabling users to discover specific technologies and technical capabilities within the AT Styria network.
• MABiF (Maschinen- und Anlagenbau im Fokus) An event series focused on machine and plant engineering, offering site visits, expert presentations, and networking opportunities for industry professionals in the automation technology sector.
• Breakfast Club A networking event series hosting members at company locations for breakfast, presentations, and informal exchange among automation technology professionals.
• EXPERTtalks Expert-focused discussion events addressing specific technical topics like AI applications in industrial settings for AT Styria members.
• Hands-on KI in der Praxis (Hands-on AI in Practice) A workshop series on practical AI implementation, covering data protection, EU AI Act compliance, and AI literacy for companies in the automation technology sector.

Quantifiable outcome

• 44,000+ employees supported through the network
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GMAR (Gesellschaft für Mess-, Automatisierungs- und Robotertechnik)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026AT Styria supports the 6th Bodenseegespräche (Lake Constance Talks) organized by GMAR, an established platform for exchange on robotics, automation and industrial innovation. Anna-Lena Pösendorfer from AT Styria moderates the 'Styrian/Carinthian Success Stories' session.
• ÖVIA (Österreichische Vereinigung für Instandhaltung und Anlagenwirtschaft)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2026Partnership between AT Styria and ÖVIA (Austrian Association for Maintenance and Plant Management) to combine expertise at the interface of automation and modern maintenance. The nearly 40-year-old ÖVIA serves as a neutral knowledge platform connecting research, industry and practice.
• International Forum MechatronikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025AT Styria co-organized the International Forum Mechatronik 2025 in Graz, bringing together nearly 400 guests from Austria and abroad to discuss latest developments in mechatronics.
• WKO Steiermark (Chamber of Commerce Styria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAT Styria is hosted at and closely collaborates with WKO Steiermark, Austria's regional chamber of commerce. The organization is headquartered at WKO facilities and benefits from institutional support and network access.
• Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung SFGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFG (Styrian Economic Promotion) is a key partner for funding support and economic development initiatives. SFG co-sponsored events like MABiF (Maschinen- und Anlagenbau im Fokus).
• FH CAMPUS 02coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFH Campus 02 is a key educational partner, providing automation technology programs and collaborating on events, research projects, and talent development. Udo Traussnigg serves as Vice Chair of AT Styria.
• Mechatronik Plattform ÖsterreichminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of mechatronics study program directors from seven universities of applied sciences across Austria, founded in 2005, working to connect students, graduates and teaching staff with industry.
• ICS Steiermark (Internationalisierungscenter Steiermark)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerICS supports Styrian companies in exploring foreign markets. Representatives of AT Styria participated in ICS delegation trips to India to explore international opportunities for Styrian automation companies.
• AI5Innovation (European Digital Innovation Hub)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the European network of Digital Innovation Hubs supporting manufacturing companies with up to 2,999 employees in digital transformation through AI and digital technologies. Offers subsidized projects up to €40,000.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau): Germany's main mechanical and plant engineering industry association, representing thousands of companies across automation, robotics, and adjacent sectors. Comparable as a much larger industry association serving overlapping automation members; provides a benchmark for what scaled association services look like.
• Swissmem: Swiss mechanical and electrical engineering industry association representing the broader MEM sector. Comparable as a DACH industry association covering automation-relevant manufacturing and engineering with similar advocacy, networking, and internationalization functions.

Direct peers

• Silicon Saxony: One of Europe's largest microelectronics and ICT industry clusters, networking companies, research, and policy in Saxony, Germany. Directly comparable as a regional technology cluster organization with membership-based networking, events, and industry-development mandate.
• Bayern Innovativ: Bavarian innovation and technology network supporting cross-sector knowledge transfer, partnerships, and internationalization. Directly comparable as a state-level cluster and innovation network with similar mission around connecting industry, research, and education.
• ÖVIA (Österreichische Vereinigung für Instandhaltung und Anlagenwirtschaft): Austrian association for maintenance and plant management, acting as a neutral knowledge platform connecting research, industry, and practice. Directly comparable as an Austrian industry association adjacent to automation; recently partnered with AT Styria.
• Mechatronik Plattform Österreich: Austrian network of mechatronics study program directors from seven universities of applied sciences, connecting students, graduates, and teaching staff with industry. Directly comparable as a national-level Austrian mechatronics/automation network with overlapping academic and industry stakeholders.
• Plattform Industrie 4.0 Österreich: Austrian national platform coordinating Industry 4.0 transformation across industry, academia, and policy. Directly comparable as an Austria-based multi-stakeholder platform operating in the same automation/digitalization space, but at national scale rather than regional.
• GMAR (Gesellschaft für Mess-, Automatisierungs- und Robotertechnik): German society for measurement, automation, and robotics technology that organizes the Bodenseegespräche and similar industry platforms. Directly comparable as a DACH-region automation society with overlapping event programming and member base; already collaborates with AT Styria.

Regional players

• Automation Arena (Sweden): Swedish innovation environment and automation cluster for industry, academia, and public-sector collaboration. Comparable as a regional automation cluster organization with networking and demo/testbed functions, but operating in Scandinavia rather than Austria.

Others

• ICS Steiermark (Internationalisierungscenter Steiermark): Styrian internationalization center supporting regional companies in exploring foreign markets via delegation trips and export advisory. Not a competitor but an adjacent ecosystem partner that co-delivers services relevant to AT Styria's internationalization value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/61559305923485
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/at-styria
• Instagraminstagram.com/atstyria/?igsh=MWRwdWtpNXRzbGl1aw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• TikToktiktok.com/@at.styria?_t=8llCKHkqQhk&_r=1

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 Association of Automation Technologies Styria