Austrian Research and Technology Report 2020

Types of support available for the successful in-
ternationalisation of technology
Before the end of 2020, TECTRANS will be on hand 
to help Austrian companies become more competi-
tive internationally with three modules: funding for 
studies (formerly “kit4market”), funding for pilot and 
demonstration facilities (formerly “tec4market”) and 
“freedom to operate” (FTO) support – a professional 
analysis of how much commercial scope an exporting 
company is likely to have. With its established “Aus-
trian Technology Days” format and modern website 
(www.tecxport.at) showcasing innovative technolo-
gies, the TECXPORT programme (Austrian Research 
Promotion Agency (FFG)) offers additional targeted 
marketing support abroad. 
It is also worth remembering that having positive 
testimonials from Austria is a decisive factor in suc-
cessfully marketing innovations abroad. The instru-
ments offered by the Public Procurement Promoting 
Innovation (PPPI) initiative, for instance, can help 
companies through what is often a difficult phase up 
to the launch of their first product. 
Bilateral RTI partnerships for focused positioning 
in selected target countries
Experience shows that bilateral RTI partnerships are 
a suitable instrument for positioning Austria’s tech-
84 See 
http://openinnovation.gv.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Open-Innovation-barrierefrei.pdf
nological pioneers on the international stage. Em-
ploying a targeted approach, Austrian technology 
providers are to be given the opportunity to work on 
an applied research project together with foreign 
partners. This instrument is set to see greater use in 
the future in collaborations with countries that also 
offer significant potential for Austrian exports.
Monitoring implementation of the “Open