Boosting Competitiveness: FORWIT at the Technology Talks 2025

The Technology Talks Austria 2025 will focus on the competitiveness of Austria and Europe, and FORWIT is set to make a significant contribution. In a high-profile workshop on the findings of the FORWIT “Science2Business” study, barriers to the commercialisation and scaling of research results will be identified and best practices presented.

Furthermore, Sylvia Schwaag Serger, Thomas Henzinger and Georg Kopetz will be speaking in panel discussions on European and national RTI policy and the necessary framework for strong competitiveness.

The event kicks off on 11 September at the Vienna Museumsquartier – we look forward to seeing you there!

WORKSHOP – FORWIT

Science2Business
Improving the translation of research results into innovative products

Thursday, 11 September | 15:00 | MQ Ovalhalle

Although Austria invests heavily in research and development, its performance reveals a significant divergence between input and output: the resources deployed do not deliver the expected return. Yet the ability to commercialise and scale innovations is crucial for robust, global competitiveness.

This workshop will explore the key question of how we can effectively translate research and development results into economic success and ensure that long-term value creation is secured domestically.

To this end, we will present the findings of the FORWIT “Science2Business” exploratory study, which identifies barriers to the commercialisation and scaling of research results. Together with experts from innovative companies, we will examine aspects such as product-market fit, speed to product, the role of societal risk appetite, how to secure technology within the country for the long term, and strategies to successfully overcome the various obstacles in the transfer process.

Experts

PANEL 4

Framework Conditions for Competitiveness

Friday, 12 September | 10:00 | MQ Stage

Together with Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner (BMFWF), Florian Süssenguth (Future Council, DE), Guy Lalanne (OECD) and Margot Weijnen (Research Council, NL), Georg Kopetz (FORWIT, TTTech) will explore the question of what framework conditions are necessary for RTI ecosystems and start-ups to foster a “new competitiveness” based on innovation, adaptability, talent management and sustainability.

PANEL 5

European RTI Policy

Friday, 12 September | 11:45 | MQ Stage

Sylvia Schwaag Serger (FORWIT), Sabine Herlitschka (Infineon), Maria Cristina Russo (European Commission, DG-RTD) and François Jacq (CNES) will focus on current and future developments and strategies in European RTI policy.

PANEL 6

National RTI Policy

Friday, 12 September | 12:45 | MQ Stage

Following a keynote speech by Thomas Henzinger (FORWIT), he will be joined by Ulrike Diebold (ÖAW), Henrietta Egerth (FFG), Iris Filzwieser (ACR), Georg Knill (IV) and Peter Moser (MUL) to discuss the findings and impetus from the Technology Talks 2025 for the future of Austrian RTI policy.