STARTS

Name

STARTS

Legal name

Ars Electronica Linz GmbH & Co KG

Website

https://starts.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Arts, Science & Technology Innovation Programs

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAJ

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAHAC

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• Art science collaboration
• Artist residency programs
• Innovation funding initiatives
• Technology arts projects
• Creative research grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Linz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. European Commission Funding: STARTS is an initiative of the European Commission, launched under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. It receives EU funding through various projects and consortia to support collaborations between artists, scientists, engineers, and researchers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

STARTS is a European Commission initiative that funds and operates artist residencies, prize competitions, Digital Innovation Hubs, and academies at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts. The initiative awards grants and prize money through annual open calls and consortium-managed projects, partnering artists with scientists, engineers, researchers, and SMEs to develop innovative projects addressing social, ecological, and economic challenges. Since 2016 it has funded 390 residencies with €18,420,000 and honored 274 S+T+ARTS Prize projects, with no fees charged to participants.

Product overview

STARTS (Science, Technology & the Arts) is an initiative of the European Commission launched under Horizon 2020 to support collaborations between artists, scientists, engineers, and researchers. It is not a single product but a platform of interconnected programs including: Residencies (artist-in-residence programs like Hungry EcoCities, Afropean Intelligence, AQUA MOTION, Buen-TEK, and Ec(h)o), Prizes (S+T+ARTS Prize, Prize Africa, Prize Buen-Tek), Digital Innovation Hubs (Better Factory, MediaFutures, VOJEXT), Academies, Regional Centers, and Thematic Pilots. Since 2016, the initiative has funded over 390 residencies with €18.4 million and honored 274 S+T+ARTS Prize projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• S+T+ARTS Afropean Intelligence: Initiative creating Afro-European spaces for reflection and experimentation through S+T+ARTS Prize Africa and 10 residencies in African countries
• S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION
• S+T+ARTS Buen-TEK
• Hungry EcoCities
• ReSilence
• S+T+ARTS4AFRICA
• Better Factory
• MediaFutures
• VOJEXT

Products and services

• S+T+ARTS Residencies Artist residency programs connecting artists with scientists, researchers, and technology companies to develop innovative projects at the intersection of art, science, and technology. Active sub-programs include Hungry EcoCities, Afropean Intelligence, AQUA MOTION, Buen-TEK, Ec(h)o, and ReSilence.
• S+T+ARTS Prize Annual European Commission competition recognizing innovative projects at the nexus of science, technology, and the arts, awarding two Grand Prize winners €20,000 each across Innovative Collaboration and Artistic Exploration categories.
• S+T+ARTS Prize Africa African edition of the STARTS Prize highlighting and awarding regional best practices at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts in Africa. Awards one Grand Prize of €15,000 and five Awards of Distinction of €3,000 each.
• S+T+ARTS Prize Buen-TEK Prize promoting a S+T+ARTS approach to digital innovation in South America, honoring projects merging indigenous technology and Lo-TEK philosophy with socio-environmental impact, with €30,000 distributed to 2-6 projects.
• Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs) One-stop-shop programs supporting companies (especially SMEs, startups, and mid-caps) to improve business, production processes, products, and services through digital technology and artistic perspectives. Includes Better Factory, MediaFutures, and VOJEXT projects.
• S+T+ARTS Ec(h)o EU-funded project fostering ecologically conscious and human-compatible digital technology through residencies, the S+T+ARTS Prize, and AIxMusic program at Sónar festival.
• S+T+ARTS4AFRICA Program promoting S+T+ARTS approach to digital innovation rooted in African sub-Saharan culture, including residencies, Prize Africa, mentoring, academies, and sylloge activities.
• Hungry EcoCities S+T+ARTS residency project exploring how digital technologies can lead to reduced food waste, sustainable value chains, and ethical food consumption through 20 residencies developing AI-enabled responsible solutions for the agri-food industries.
• S+T+ARTS Afropean Intelligence Initiative creating Afro-European spaces for reflection and experimentation with 10 residencies deployed in Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, and Democratic Republic of Congo.
• S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION Project transforming water management in Europe by merging artistic experimentation with technological innovations, focusing on four major European water basins.
• S+T+ARTS Buen-TEK Program exploring how indigenous knowledge and advanced technologies can blend to tackle socio-environmental challenges through 18 months of artist collaborations.
• Thematic Pilots (Lighthouses) Large-scale demonstration projects showcasing the integration of arts, science, and technology for societal challenges.
• Academies Educational and training programs promoting digital and art-driven innovation skills.
• Regional Centers Regional hubs supporting STARTS activities and collaborations across different European regions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 390 residencies funded with €18,420,000 since 2016
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GLUONcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Brussels-based non-profit realising projects at crossing borders of visual art, research and industry. Maximising collaborations between artists, researchers and companies through Art & Research department.
• AfricaMuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Part of S+T+ARTS Afropean Intelligence consortium working to create Afro-European spaces for reflection and experimentation.
• CHRONIQUEScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in S+T+ARTS Afropean Intelligence initiative supporting African artists in their creation process by providing digital tools and Afro-European expertise.
• AIR CENTREcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION project transforming water management in Europe through artistic experimentation and technological innovations.
• WAAG (Waag Futurelab)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in S+T+ARTS AQUA MOTION and VOJEXT projects, reinforcing critical reflection on technology and developing technological and social design skills.
• TBA21coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in S+T+ARTS Buen-TEK exploring how indigenous knowledge and advanced technologies can blend to tackle socio-environmental challenges.
• Barcelona SuperComputing CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partner in S+T+ARTS Buen-TEK providing high-performance computing capabilities for artistic and technological collaborations.
• INOVA+coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Part of the STARTS Ec(h)o consortium, providing innovation consultancy and managing multiple regional and transcontinental projects including S+T+ARTS in the City and S+T+ARTS4AFRICA.
• La French Tech Grande ProvencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024French Tech regional hub bringing together innovation ecosystem players in cultural and creative industries, supporting STARTS activities in the Avignon region.
• Media Solution Center Baden-WürttembergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024First institution in Europe to directly transfer cultural and creative industries to technology and knowledge in a federal supercomputing center. Leading S+T+ARTS Regional Center AIR.
• Salzburg FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024World's largest and most important festival, providing platform for showcasing STARTS initiatives and artistic collaborations.
• SónarcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Music and creative technology festival in Barcelona since 1994. Hosts annual AIxMusic program as international platform for digital technology and artistic thinking.
• T6 EcosystemscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Consulting and research SME specializing in socio-economic impact assessment of research and innovation initiatives, policy analysis, and policy communication.
• TUD Dresden University of Technology (Kustodie)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024University's art works and exhibition activities including permanent exhibitions at interfaces between contemporary art, science and research. Initiates Art Science Labs and artist residencies.
• PiNAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Slovenian association promoting socially responsible practices and strengthening culture of dialogue, operating as multimedia and youth centre and contact point for Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values program.
• Emerging Communities AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Associated partner dedicated to fostering technology development in emerging communities throughout Africa, supporting creation of sustainable tech startups and SMEs.
• Buni HubminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Associated partner in Tanzania focusing on community engagement, provision of tech co-creation workspace and technology entrepreneurship to startups, with 400+ registered members annually.
• hapaFoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Associated partner in Ghana founded to assist young adults in Kumasi to build start-ups and develop skills in STEAM, offering co-working space and incubation programs.
• Picha asblminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Associated partner - independent art initiative in Democratic Republic of Congo supporting and promoting artistic creation in Lubumbashi region.
• Goethe InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Associated partner - German cultural institute promoting cultural exchange and running artist residencies and training programs in cultural management, with focus on digital networks and youth self-organisation.
• Brno University of TechnologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Coordinator of the Hungry EcoCities project, leading a consortium focused on AI-enabled responsible art-driven solutions for the agri-food industries.
• Ars ElectronicacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Leading cultural institution managing STARTS.EU through STARTS Ec(h)o project, coordinating multiple residency programs and the annual S+T+ARTS Prize.
• INOVA+coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Expert provider of consultancy services in innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. Key actor in S+T+ARTS initiative since 2016, contributing to design and consolidation of the S+T+ARTS mission.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of FinlandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2020Coordinator of Better Factory Digital Innovation Hub, enabling European Manufacturing SMEs to grow through new personalized products by connecting artists with manufacturing SMEs.
• Leibniz University HannovercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Coordinator of MediaFutures project, bringing together startups, SMEs and artists in the media value chain to create unconventional ways for people to engage with quality journalism, science education and democratic processes.
• Universidad Politécnica de MadridcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2020Coordinator of VOJEXT project, encouraging producers and SMEs to adopt cognitive autonomous systems for human-robot interaction through Value Of Joint EXperimentation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IRCAM: French research institute affiliated with the Centre Pompidou focused on music, sound, and computational sciences. Comparable to STARTS as a publicly-funded institute that places artistic creation at the center of scientific and technological research.
• Eyebeam: New York-based art and technology center running artist residencies and fellowships that connect artists with technology and social impact work. Directly comparable to STARTS Residency programs in structure and mission.
• European Cultural Foundation: Amsterdam-based foundation supporting arts, culture, and cross-border collaboration across Europe with grantmaking and capacity-building programs. Directly comparable to STARTS as a European grantmaking body supporting cross-disciplinary cultural and societal projects.
• Ars Electronica: The cultural institution that directly manages STARTS.EU through the STARTS Ec(h)o project. Operates one of the world's leading art-technology festivals and is the operational backbone of STARTS, making it the closest comparable entity in both mission and execution.
• ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe: German museum and research center for art and media technology, with exhibition, residency, and research programs at the intersection of art and technology. Closely comparable to STARTS as a publicly-funded institution bridging artistic practice and technological innovation.
• Rhizome: Nonprofit organization dedicated to digital art preservation, commissioning, and research. Comparable to STARTS in its art-tech focus and as a nonprofit/network-driven platform supporting artists working with emerging technologies.
• Creative Europe Programme: EU funding programme supporting the cultural and creative sectors across Europe, administered by the European Commission. Directly comparable to STARTS as a parallel EU funding instrument for cultural and creative-industry collaboration.
• NEW INC: New York-based art and technology incubator and creative R&D studio led by the New Museum. Comparable to STARTS as a structured program supporting artists and technologists in residency-style engagements with commercial and institutional partners.
• V2_ Lab for the Unstable Media: Rotterdam-based art and technology research lab running artist residencies, workshops, and publications at the intersection of art, technology, and society. Directly comparable to STARTS as a European art-tech residency and research institution.

Broad incumbents

• Mozilla Foundation: Global nonprofit advocating for an open and healthy internet, with arts-and-culture and creative-tech grantmaking programs (e.g., Mozilla Foundation grants, Creative AI awards). Comparable to STARTS as a mission-driven foundation funding art-tech work at scale beyond Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/STARTSEU
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@startseu6182/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/STARTSEU1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/starts-eu
• Instagraminstagram.com/startseu/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about STARTS