The federal states of Upper Austria and Vorarlberg stand out in particular.
Upper Austria tops the list in terms of the number of new patent applications (469 patents), while Vorarlberg boasts the highest invention density per inhabitant. These successes reflect the fact that Austria offers a favourable environment for innovation, particularly in the area of green patents. Austria ranks 8th in the world for green patents and 6th in the EU. On average, there are around 30 inventions in this area per million inhabitants in Austria. Austria is and remains very fertile ground for green innovations.
Protecting innovation pays off for founders! According to a recent study by the European Patent Office, the economic success of companies depends largely on whether intellectual property has been protected. Start-ups that protect their intellectual property are ten times more likely to find investors. It therefore pays off several times over to drive innovation forward and rely on the protection of intellectual property.
Switzerland offers an interesting comparison, as it also has remarkable innovative strength. With 9,410 patent applications at the European Patent Office in 2023, Switzerland once again tops the list of applications per capita. With 1,085.31 patents per million inhabitants, Switzerland secures seventh place in the EPO's overall ranking. In comparison, Austria is only in 14th place with 2,355 patents.
Despite these successes, there are also challenges that Austria has to face. The proportion of female inventors in this country is only eight per cent, which is the lowest in Europe. Targeted measures therefore need to be taken to further promote the participation of women in innovation.
Overall, Austria is a country with a flourishing innovation landscape that continues to focus on green patents and recognises the importance of protecting intellectual property for economic success. With the right mix of promotion, protection and diversity, Austria can further strengthen its position as an innovation leader.