AplusB - Academia plus Business

AplusB supports innovative, technology-oriented spin-offs from the academic sector. The programme funds the so-called AplusB-Centres providing professional support for scientists in the difficult process of turning a good idea into a viable business. This involves both: not only counselling and assistance during the actual start-up phase and but also establishing the idea of entrepreneurship more firmly in academic theory and practice.

Nine AplusB-Centres were established in which start-ups are qualified, counselled and coached.

Background

Start-up activity in Austria is generally not very dynamic by international standards; this is particularly true for the high-tech sector, which accounts for less than 10% of all new companies. The fact that the number of new companies founded by university graduates and scientists is so small is significant. The AplusB impulse programme therefore aims to bring about a sustainable increase in the number of innovative, technology-oriented spin-offs from the academic sector.

Objectives of the programme

• Ensuring a sustainable increase in the number of academic spin-offs; 
• enhancing the quality of these new companies (i.e. their technology and knowledge intensity), as well as their likelihood to succeed; 
• increasing the potential for spin-offs from universities, Fachhochschule colleges and non-university research institutions; 
• enhancing the exploitation of research results by business; 
• supporting other technology transfer measures.

AplusB is a programme developed, implemented and managed by the FFG on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT).