About Empower Austria
Empower Austria is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 with the purpose of fostering social, economic and environmental resilience throughout Austria. By connecting entrepreneurs, NGOs, academia and public institutions, the organization creates collaborative ecosystems that turn bold ideas into tangible solutions.
Based in Vienna, Empower Austria works nationwide, with regional hubs in Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Linz and Klagenfurt. The team consists of policy analysts, project managers, sustainability experts and a growing volunteer network of over 1,200 individuals.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
To enable a thriving, inclusive Austria where innovative ideas, sustainable practices, and social equity intersect to improve quality of life for all citizens.
Our Vision
- Zerocarbon communities across the Alpine region by 2035.
- A vibrant startup landscape focused on circular economy and green tech.
- Equal access to education, digital tools and job opportunities for marginalized groups.
Key Programs
GreenTech Accelerator
A 6month intensive program for earlystage startups developing renewable energy, wastetoresource, or sustainable mobility technologies. Participants receive mentorship, seed funding (50000 total per cohort) and pilot opportunities with Austrian utilities.
Social Inclusion Labs
Cocreation workshops that bring refugees, people with disabilities and local entrepreneurs together to design products and services that address realworld barriers. Successful prototypes receive microgrants and market testing support.
EcoEducation Initiative
Curriculum development for primary and secondary schools, focusing on climate literacy, circular design thinking and local biodiversity. Over 150 schools have adopted the modules, reaching more than 30000 students.
Policy Bridge Forum
Quarterly roundtables that connect policymakers with industry leaders and civilsociety representatives. The forum drafts actionable recommendations on topics such as carbon pricing, digital infrastructure and labor market reforms.
Impact Highlights (20222025)
- Startups supported: 84 GreenTech ventures; 45% have secured followon investment.
- Jobs created: Approx. 1,200 fulltime positions in sustainable sectors.
- Carbon reduction: Projects under Empowers umbrella have cut CO emissions by an estimated 2.3million tonnes.
- Social outcomes: 1,500 participants in Inclusion Labs; 78% reported improved employability.
- Education reach: 200 teachers trained; 35% increase in student climateaction projects.
Our Partners
Collaboration is at the core of our work. We partner with public agencies such as the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, private corporations like Siemens Austria and BB, academic institutions including TU Vienna and the University of Innsbruck, and international NGOs such as ClimateActionNetwork and EuroSocial.
Corporate partners provide inkind expertise, funding and access to testing facilities, while research partners contribute data, evaluation tools and joint publications.
Get Involved
Whether you are an entrepreneur, a researcher, a volunteer or a citizen who wants to make a difference, there are many ways to engage with Empower Austria:
- Apply to a program: Check our programs page for upcoming application windows.
- Volunteer: Join our network of mentors, event hosts or community outreach ambassadors.
- Donate: Contributions support seed grants, educational kits and operational costs.
- Partner with us: Companies and institutions can become strategic partners to codevelop solutions.
Email: info@empower-austria.at | Phone: +4315550101
