Venture Day by VERBUND X and xista: “Strengthening the cleantech ecosystem for Austria and CEE”
Austria produces outstanding research results. However, there is still room for improvement when it comes to implementing these results in the economy. A decisive factor here, as everywhere in the start-up sector, is financing. At Venture Day, xista and VERBUND X Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Austria's largest energy provider VERBUND set out to explore what role corporate venture capital plays in the cleantech sector. We brought together leading innovators, investors, and thought leaders from across Europe to focus on one goal: Accelerating the Energy Transition through sustainable innovation.
Strengthening the cleantech ecosystem
Accordingly, the Venture Day focused not only on technological developments in the cleantech sector, but also on the opportunities and challenges of financing cleantech start-ups and spin-offs. One goal emerged very clearly: the strengthening of the cleantech ecosystem in Austria, which combines these aspects. VERBUND and ISTA have already been working together for several years.
“Beyond the engaging presentations and discussions, the Venture Day proved to be fertile ground for meaningful new connections. I am happy to share that several participants have already embarked on promising follow-up conversations about potential partnerships, investments, and more.”, comments Alexander Schwartz, partner at xista science ventures.
The Program: From Key Speakers to Interaktive Labs and Spin-off success stories
A whole series of high-caliber speakers also discussed topics such as the European VC market in the cleantech sector, European spin-off ecosystems and digital business models in the energy sector in keynotes and panels on Venture Day. The program was rounded off by startup pitches xista and Verbund X spin-offs. xista porfolio companies in the spotlight:
- ReCatalyst: Next-generation Fuel Cell Catalysts.
- infrared.city: AI-powered Environmental Simulations.
- subdron: Advancing Underwater Infrastructure Management.
- Rivus Batteries: Pioneering Renewable Energy Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Another important part of the half-day Venture Day were three interactive labs on the topics of electricity storage technologies, investments in cleantech start-ups and ecosystems. In the labs best practices in corporate venturing were demonstrated in order to encourage other corporates to implement such activities.
The Venture Day was a resounding success, reinforcing the importance of a connected ecosystem as the true driver of CleanTech innovation. Spin-offs and new collaborations are already taking shape, fueling a shared commitment to a sustainable energy future.
Further exciting news from our ecosystem
Venture Day by VERBUND X and xista: “Strengthening the cleantech ecosystem for Austria and CEE”
Austria produces outstanding research results. However, there is still room for improvement when it comes to implementing these results in the economy. A decisive factor here, as everywhere in the start-up sector, is financing. At Venture Day, xista and VERBUND X Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Austria's largest energy provider VERBUND set out to explore what role corporate venture capital plays in the cleantech sector. We brought together leading innovators, investors, and thought leaders from across Europe to focus on one goal: Accelerating the Energy Transition through sustainable innovation.
Strengthening the cleantech ecosystem
Accordingly, the Venture Day focused not only on technological developments in the cleantech sector, but also on the opportunities and challenges of financing cleantech start-ups and spin-offs. One goal emerged very clearly: the strengthening of the cleantech ecosystem in Austria, which combines these aspects. VERBUND and ISTA have already been working together for several years.
“Beyond the engaging presentations and discussions, the Venture Day proved to be fertile ground for meaningful new connections. I am happy to share that several participants have already embarked on promising follow-up conversations about potential partnerships, investments, and more.”, comments Alexander Schwartz, partner at xista science ventures.
The Program: From Key Speakers to Interaktive Labs and Spin-off success stories
A whole series of high-caliber speakers also discussed topics such as the European VC market in the cleantech sector, European spin-off ecosystems and digital business models in the energy sector in keynotes and panels on Venture Day. The program was rounded off by startup pitches xista and Verbund X spin-offs. xista porfolio companies in the spotlight:
- ReCatalyst: Next-generation Fuel Cell Catalysts.
- infrared.city: AI-powered Environmental Simulations.
- subdron: Advancing Underwater Infrastructure Management.
- Rivus Batteries: Pioneering Renewable Energy Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Another important part of the half-day Venture Day were three interactive labs on the topics of electricity storage technologies, investments in cleantech start-ups and ecosystems. In the labs best practices in corporate venturing were demonstrated in order to encourage other corporates to implement such activities.
The Venture Day was a resounding success, reinforcing the importance of a connected ecosystem as the true driver of CleanTech innovation. Spin-offs and new collaborations are already taking shape, fueling a shared commitment to a sustainable energy future.