Gruppenfoto mit mehreren Personen auf der Bühne des Salzburger Innovationspreis 2026. Drei Personen in der Mitte halten einen Award, eine Person eine Urkunde.
Award winners and honorary guests of the Salzburg Innovation Award 2026. Photo: Innovation Salzburg/Benedikt Schemmer

Salzburg Innovation Award 2026

Four Companies recognised

In mid-April, the Salzburg Innovation Award 2026 was presented for the first time. Four outstanding companies were recognised, showcasing how innovation works in Salzburg today.

From left: Alexander Kribus (Messezentrum Salzburg), Markus Graggaber (Innovation Salzburg), Governor Karoline Edtstadler (State of Salzburg), Walter Haas (Innovation Salzburg)

Innovation in Salzburg

SALZ 2026: Innovation and Technology at the Forefront

The SALZ – Festival for Innovation & Technology brought together companies, startups, research institutions and public stakeholders at Messe Salzburg on 11 March 2026. With keynotes, panels, matchmaking and startup pitches, the event provided a platform for emerging technology trends, new collaborations and exchange within the innovation ecosystem.

Presentation of the Life Sciences Center Salzburg, February 17, 2026: Provincial Councillor Daniela Gutschi (Province of Salzburg), Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner, and Walter Haas (Managing Director, Innovation Salzburg)

Research Location Salzburg

Life Sciences Center Salzburg Launched

With the Life Sciences Center Salzburg (LSCS), a new inter-university center is being established to strengthen Salzburg as a hub for research and innovation. The federal government and the Province of Salzburg are jointly investing €15 million in its development. It was publicly presented on February 17, 2026, at Unipark Nonntal.

techno-z-von-oben-c-kadawittfeldarchitektur-web
Techno_Z in Puch/Urstein, Architektur: kadawittfeldarchitektur, Visualisierung: loomilux

Establish & Expand

New Database for Commercial Properties and Sites in Salzburg

The new online platform www.standort-salzburg.at makes it easy to find available commercial properties, business premises, and brownfield sites across the entire province – all with just a few clicks.

This is us

We are Innovation Salzburg. We accompany you and your company on the path to the future. We provide our expertise to assist you in realizing your projects and ideas because the future is a process that we prioritize. We always consider the future and act today with tomorrow in mind.

Let’s talk. Let’s get to know each other. Let’s clarify how we can support you. We are by your side from the beginning of your innovation and investment project and we help you with all your questions along the way.

All services of Innovation Salzburg are free of charge for Salzburg companies.

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Companies

You have an innovation project – we know the funding programmes, the networks and the right contacts. From business location to intellectual property and talent attraction: our consulting is free of charge.

services for

Researchers

Research takes more than good ideas. We advise on funding (WISS, national, EU), intellectual property and cooperation partners, and help make your work visible.

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Start-ups

From idea to market entry: Startup Salzburg supports founders with coaching, networking, funding advice and access to investors. Neutral, free of charge and without any agenda of our own.

services for

Professionals and Expatriates

New to Salzburg? The Work in Salzburg – Welcome Center supports international professionals from IT, engineering and healthcare, as well as their families, in settling in.

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Creatives

From film production to freelance creatives and the makerspace: we support creativity in Salzburg.

Informations about

Business Location Salzburg

Salzburg as a business location: strong in digitalisation, life sciences, green innovation and creative industries. Find out what makes the region tick.

Informations about

Innovation Salzburg

Our founding year, our employees, shareholders and everything else there is to know about Innovation Salzburg.

News

Gruppenfoto mit mehreren Personen auf der Bühne des Salzburger Innovationspreis 2026. Drei Personen in der Mitte halten einen Award, eine Person eine Urkunde.

15. April 2026

From AI to energy: Four Salzburg companies recognised

In 2026, the Salzburg Innovation Award was presented for the first time, introducing a new distinction for particularly innovative companies in the region. The four awarded projects highlight the diversity of innovation in Salzburg – ranging from satellite data and artificial intelligence to recycling technologies and digital energy infrastructure.

12. March 2026

SALZ 2026: Innovation and Technology in Focus – Startups, AI and Future Markets in Salzburg

The SALZ – Festival for Innovation & Technology brought together companies, startups, research institutions and public stakeholders at Messe Salzburg on 11 March 2026. With keynotes, panels, matchmaking and startup pitches, the event provided a platform for emerging technology trends, new collaborations and exchange within the innovation ecosystem.

18. February 2026

SALZ 2026: A Festival for Innovation

How can companies remain competitive, innovative, and resilient in challenging times? SALZ – Festival for Innovation & Technology, together with the startup and investment conference SALT’N’VENTURE, will provide concrete answers on March 11, 2026, at Messezentrum Salzburg, bringing together industry, startups, and investors.

17. February 2026

Life Sciences Center Salzburg Launched

With the Life Sciences Center Salzburg (LSCS), a new inter-university center is being established to strengthen Salzburg as a hub for research and innovation. The federal government and the Province of Salzburg are jointly investing €15 million in its development. It was publicly presented on February 17, 2026, at Unipark Nonntal.

16. February 2026

Kick-off for the Salzburg Innovation Award

The WIKARUS – Salzburg Business Award will be presented every two years in the future. In the intervening years, the Salzburg Innovation Award will be announced, launching for the first time in 2026.

11. November 2025

Eleven Million Euros for Five New Research Centers

Salzburg is investing in research: around eleven million euros from EU and state funds will go toward establishing five new research and transfer centers. They cover key future-oriented topics: artificial intelligence, climate protection, health, tourism, and data security.

24. October 2025

Christian Doppler Laboratory unites Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing in Salzburg

Salzburg is strengthening its cutting-edge research: In the new Christian Doppler Laboratory for the Authentication of Persons and Object Surfaces, innovative solutions for enhanced security are being developed by combining artificial intelligence and image processing. These solutions are created in close collaboration between science and industry.

17. September 2025

Exploring Salzburg’s cuisine: from tradition to diversity

Salzburg is not only famous for its world-renowned Festival, its baroque Old Town, and the picturesque mountain backdrop – the city also has plenty to offer in culinary terms.

28. July 2025

20 Years of Media Summit: A Hub with International Impact

On Saturday, 26 July 2025, more than 200 national and international guests gathered at Schloss Leopoldskron to discuss the future of the film and media industry at the 20th Salzburg Media Summit. The anniversary edition offered a diverse program featuring engaging discussions, distinguished guests, and a special award for one of Salzburg’s most iconic cultural landmarks.

The initiatives of Innovation Salzburg

Standort Salzburg

EdTech Austria

Startup Salzburg

Netzwerk Alpines Bauen

Lehre Salzburg

Healing Alps

Events

19.05.2026
Online

HR TALK: Webinar zur Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte: Internationale Studierende & Absolvent:innen beschäftigen

21.05.2026
Bad Reichenhall

SMASH – das große Zammsitz’n

21.05.2026
Stadt Salzburg

Infotag für Pflege und Elementarpädagogik

26.05.2026
Stadt Salzburg oder Online

Sprechtag: Förderungen

26.05.2026
Stadt Salzburg

Info-Café for Internationals: Welfare System in Austria/Sozialsystem in Österreich

28.05.2026
Salzburg Stadt

Bereit für die europäische Förderliga?

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