Fast Forward Award - 25 years of future

Innovationspreis Steiermark

The Winners 2023

MasterScheduler, a cloud-based software-as-a-service solution, recognises potential free loading capacity within logistics planning and optimises it with mathematical algorithms to fully utilised transports. The customer significantly reduces its carbon footprint, saves on average a quarter of the costs and relieves its employees.

The newly developed ELIN electric motor is integrated directly into the ship's propeller and eliminates the need for a gearbox, maximising its effect while reducing fuel consumption. The drive allows the vessel to be manoeuvred precisely and turned in the tightest of spaces - particularly important for cargo, crane or ferry vessels.

A team at the University of Graz is developing green and sustainable processes for the production of novel bio-based surfactants. The scientists are tapping into previously neglected regional waste streams of various origins - from agricultural and forestry biomass, used cooking oil to side streams from the paper and pulp industry - as raw material

The innovation is an AI-based platform that detects these novel drug solutions. At its core is a new deep-learning architecture that leads to a "closed-loop" application: A closed loop is created that encompasses the entire design, manufacturing and testing process, integrating complex databases.

ARYS™ is a wrist tracker that motivates people with one-sided paralysis to exercise their limited arm. The high-tech sensor technology specifically promotes active and thus therapeutically successful movements. Ordinary activities such as drinking coffee or hanging up laundry become a workout.

The new Symul8 simulation platform from represents a significant advance over previously established simulation platforms. Even without expert knowledge, users have easy access to a variety of different simulation scenarios; in addition, the software automatically evaluates parameters such as road safety or road performance.

The Winners 2022

30,000 tons of plastic nets are used for food packaging in Europe every year. Packnatur Entwicklungs- und Produktions GmbH is stepping up to replace them with sustainable alternatives.

AVL List GmbH has developed a fully automated process including the associated equipment that can build ultra-compact vehicle battery modules on an industrial scale.

acib GmbH and the start-up Econutri are working together to transform harmful greenhouse gases into high-quality protein. The core of the innovation is the ability of a microorganism called Cupriavidus necator to use CO2 as a source of nutrients and thus to produce a wide variety of biobased substances.

Luxinergy GmbH, a spin-off of the University of Leoben, has developed an innovative resin system including a 3D printer for the production of medical aids such as orthoses and prostheses.

Modern miniaturised hearing aids carry numerous microchips. They communicate with smartphones and cars and will soon translate conversations simultaneously. AT&S's innovation is at the intersection of these trends - miniaturisation versus increasing complexity.

The MCL has developed highly miniaturised nano-sensors that measure harmful and polluting gases with unprecedented precision. The sensor structures are significantly smaller than a tenth of a millimetre, the nanowires about a thousand times thinner than a human hair and the nanoparticles even a hundred times smaller.

The Winners 2019

Electric cars are in the fast lane. EaseLink has developed Matrix Charging so that the annoying fiddling with the charging cable can soon be a thing of the past. The fully automated charging technology connects the vehicle underbody with the power source and is set to conquer the market as a charging standard in the future.

The new satellite communication system provides a permanent, fast data link between the aircraft and the ground for monitoring even in an emergency. SCOTTY developed the new system together with the European Space Agency ESA. For the first time, it creates a robust and fast transmission of a secured HD video stream from the cockpit.

Automated processes for tracking consignments and trucks have long been established on the road. The WaggonTracker now brings digitalisation to rail, delivering cost reduction and increased freight protection. To solve the power supply challenge, the centrepiece is a newly developed wheel hub generator.

The next generation of high-end printed circuit boards comes from Leoben-Hinterberg. AT&S enables the integration of ever smaller microchips. The company is aiming for a zero-defect rate in its groundbreaking technology with 600,000 laser holes per 0.3 square metres, perfect copper filling and micro-precise ultra-fine conductor pattern.

The Large Engines Competence Center, Austria's leading R&D facility for large engines, is making the leap to the next generation of gas and dual-fuel engines with its developments. The new telemetry system is a highly flexible and powerful sensor solution that can withstand the greatest stresses in extreme engine situations.

Strain measurement sensors measure the forces occurring in machines, bearings or motors precisely, promptly and close to the point of load. The patented StrainPad works according to the same principle as conventional strain gauges, but offers a significant advantage: it is neither glued, screwed nor welded, but attached in seconds.

Future, Emotion & Heart and Soul: Our Hall of Fame

2019

Microenterprises: Ease-Link GmbH
Small businesses: SCOTTY Group Austria GmbH
Medium-sized companies: PJ Monitoring GmbH
Large companies: AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG
R&D institution: LEC GmbH
Special prize: ocotgon GmbH

Winner of the VERENA special prize in the field of energy: TDK Electronics GmbH & Co OG

2018

Microenterprises: Aurox GmbH
Small businesses: USound GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Innofreight Solutions GmbH
Large companies: EPCOS OHG
R&D institution: JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH

Winner of the special ECONOVIUS award for particularly innovative SMEs: NEXTSENSE GmbH

2017

Microenterprises: Qualizyme Diagnostics GmbH & Co KG
Small businesses: NEXTSENSE GmbH
Medium-sized companies: HAGE Sondermaschinenbau GmbH & Co KG
Large companies: EPCOS OHG
R&D institution: Medizinische Universität Graz/Institut für Biophysik

2016

Microenterprises: Stirtec GmbH
Small businesses: Microinnova Engineering GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Johann Eberhard GmbH
Large companies: AVL List GmbH
R&D institution: Medizinische Universität Graz/FE für Experimentelle Neurotraumatologie

Winner Staatspreis für Innovation: ams AG

Winner of the VERENA special prize in the field of energy: BDI – BioEnergy International AG

2015

Microenterprises: EcoCan GmbH
Small businesses: Insort GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Brauerei Murau
Large companies: ams AG
R&D institution: acib GmbH

Winner of the special ECONOVIUS award for particularly innovative SMEs: Geodata Ziviltechnikergesellschaft mbH

2014

Microenterprises: sch.epp OG
Small businesses: Pieps GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Geodata Ziviltechnikergesellschaft mbH
Large companies: AT & S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG
R&D institution: JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH/Institut für Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien

2013

Microenterprises: Verpackungszentrum Graz Susanne Meininger e.U.
Small businesses: g.tec Guger Technologies OG
Medium-sized companies: INNOFREIGHT Speditions GmbH
Large companies: NXP Semiconductors Austria GmbH
R&D institution: JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH, MATERIALS – Institut für Oberflächentechnologien und Photonik
Public Forward Award: M&R Automation GmbH

2012

Microenterprises: IM Polymer GmbH in Kooperation mit PCC Leoben
Small businesses: AXIS Flight Training Systems GmbH
Medium-sized companies: MAG Maschinen- und Apparatebau AG
Large companies: AVL List GmbH
R&D institution: Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH
Public Forward Award: Fischzucht Quester

Winner of the special ECONOVIUS award for particularly innovative SMEs: Im Polymer GmbH

2011

Microenterprises: SunnyBag
Small businesses: Insort GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Jsw Life Sciences GmbH
Large companies: AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik AG
R&D institution: Joanneum Research – Health
Public Forward Award: MedUni Graz – Abteilung für allgemeine Pädiatrie

Winner Staatspreis für Innovation: ACC Austria GmbH

2010

Microenterprises: YLOG GmbH
Small businesses: Hecus X-Ray Systems GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Alutechnik Matauschek
Large companies: ACC Austria GmbH
R&D institution: Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering GmbH
Public Forward Award: FORMINGRUEN GMBH

2009

Microenterprises: Tyromotion GmbH
Small businesses: PIEPS GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Secar Technologie GmbH
Large companies: Binder Co AG
R&D institution: JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsges. mbH
Public Forward Award: Bongfish GmbH

Winner Staatspreis für Innovation: Binder+Co AG

Winner of the special ECONOVIUS award for particularly innovative SMEs: Tyromotion GmbH

2008

Microenterprises: Kielsteg Bauelemente
Small businesses: G.tec Guger technologies
Medium-sized companies: Kompetenzzentrum für angewandte Biokatalyse
Large companies: Siemens Transportation Systems GmbH & CO KG
Innostar: Eco Technologies GmbH

Winner of the special ECONOVIUS award for particularly innovative SMEs: g.tec Guger Techonologies OEG

2007

Microenterprises: NextSense Mess – und Prüfsysteme GmbH
Small businesses: Plasmait GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Ceram Porzellanfabrik Frauenthal GmbH
Large companies: AVL List GmbHInnostar: Stirling Power Module Energieumwandlungs GmbH

2006

Microenterprises: UAP Austria
Small businesses: Innofreight Consulting & Logistics GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Piezocryst Advanced Sensorics GmbH
Large companies: EPCOS OHGInnostar: austriamicrosystems AG

Winner of the special ECONOVIUS award for particularly innovative SMEs: Innofreight Consulting &v Logistics

2005

Microenterprises: SensorDynamics AG
Small businessesn: S.O.L.I.D. Gesellschaft für Solarinstallation und Design GmbH
Medium-sized companies: EFKON AG
Large companies: Pankl Emission Control Systems GmbH
Sonderpreis Ökotechnik: Saubermacher Dienstleistungs AG

Winner Staatspreis für Innovation: EFKON AG

Winner of the special ECONOVIUS award for particularly innovative SMEs: S.O.L.I.D. Gesellschaft für Solarinstallationen & Design mbH

2004

Microenterprises: pro aqua Diamantelektroden Produktion
Small businesses: IPUS Industrie- Produktions- & Umwelttechnisches Service
Medium-sized companies: EFKON
Large companies: AVL List
Special Award Food Design and Product Design: Feldbacher Konserven mit dem Projekt Steirer Kren
Special Award Food Technology: Lactoprot – Alpenländische Milchindustrie mit dem Projekt Spaltung von Milchzucker
Special Award “Hallo Nachbar”: TECOS

2003

Microenterprises: Hecus X-Ray Systems Ges.m.b.H.
Small businesses: CLEARjet GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Seidel Elektronik GmbH
Large companies: EPCOS OHG

Winner Staatspreis für Innovation: EPCOS OHG

2002

Microenterprises: Alicona Imaging GmbH
Small businesses: CNSystems Medizintechnik GmbH
Medium-sized companies: Rochus Penz GmbH
Large companies: Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG

Winner Staatspreis für Innovation: CNSystems Medizintechnik GmbH

2001

Category “Homepage”: Hotelbetriebsgesellschaft der Therme Blumau GmbH & CoKG
Category “Webshop”: Bilderland GmbH
Category “Portal”: Wirtschaftskammer Steiermark

2000

g.tec – guger technologies
JSW Join Science Worldwide Research Forschungslabor GmbH
Concept Technologie GmbH

Winner Staatspreis für Innovation: Infineon Technologies
Austria GmbH

1999

SME: Platingtech, Kollmann & CoGmbH
Large companies: Infineon Technologies Microelectronic

1997

AVL LIST GmbH
FANCYFORM Design Engineering
VENTREX Ventilfabrik GmbH

1995

DEWETRON elektronische Meßgeräte Ges.m.b.H.
AUDIT Software Entwicklungs- und Handelsges.m.b.H.
THERMOCRAFT Innovative Heiztechnologien