Innovation

The innovation ecosystem at the Medical University of Graz sees itself as a closely-knit network of committed innovation partners.

Your idea is the starting point.

Research, study programmes and patient care provide the ideal foundation for groundbreaking new projects. We encourage you to make the most of your start-up potential.

The Innovation Service Point is your partner on the path to a successful spin-off.

Graz Medical University’s Start-up and Technology Transfer Service Centre

The Innovation Service Point is the central point of contact for anyone at the Medical University of Graz interested in start-ups and innovation. Through tailored programmes and support, we foster a vibrant start-up and technology transfer culture for students, researchers, staff and alumni – with a focus on medicine, life sciences and health tech.

The Department for Research Promotion and Technology Transfer supports the effective transfer of research findings from the Medical University of Graz into industry and society. It provides advice on intellectual property and organises the secure transfer of materials and know-how to external partners. It also reviews invention disclosures and, as part of the Innovation Service Point, supports inventors from the initial idea right through to commercialisation.

An ideal location for start-ups and businesses

Active collaboration between academia and industry: the ZWT and the ZWT ACCELERATOR are directly linked to the Med Uni Graz campus (MED CAMPUS Graz) and the LKH University Hospital Graz. The Austrian Science Fund (SFG) and the Medical University of Graz, as co-owners of the ZWT, support these close links with industry through their networks. Owing to this dynamic development, the ZWT was expanded in 2022 to include the ZWT ACCELERATOR, specifically designed for start-ups and spin-offs in the life sciences sector. 

The Life Science Pre-Seed Programe is Styria’s first specialised early-stage support initiative for science-based start-up projects in human technology. We bridge the crucial gap between a research idea and the launch of a start-up – where other programmes are only just getting started, we support potential start-ups with bespoke services. Our Life Science spin-off coaches provide personalised support to researchers, medical professionals and teams – with sector-specific expertise, on an ongoing basis and as equals.

Furthermore, the location plays a key role in fostering innovation in healthcare. In this regard, the Medical University of Graz and Medical Science City have an extraordinary amount to offer. The location comprises a dense network of a wide variety of partners, thereby providing an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, the exchange of knowledge and, consequently, innovation.

However, this location not only offers access to first-class research and infrastructure, but also to a broad network of industry stakeholders who facilitate collaboration and partnerships. The creation of favourable framework conditions, funding programmes and flexible regulation has helped Graz and Styria to become a dynamic centre for health innovation. 

Overall, it is clear that collaboration and the right location are of crucial importance for promoting health innovation. Through close cooperation and the creation of a supportive environment, societies and economies worldwide can benefit and better tackle the challenges facing the healthcare sector.

The importance of cooperation between different stakeholders in the healthcare sector cannot be overstated. Close collaboration enables resources to be pooled, expertise to be shared and synergies to be created, making it possible to drive innovation forward more quickly and tackle major challenges. This is precisely where the activities of the Medical University of Graz come into play.

Collaborations provide access to funding opportunities for research and development, the exchange of best practices, and the shared use of infrastructure and resources. They also promote interdisciplinarity by bringing together experts from different disciplines to tackle complex problems and develop innovative solutions.