KLAGENFURT

Welcome to Klagenfurt –your next step into the future.

In Klagenfurt, entrepreneurial spirit meets research excellence and an exceptional quality of life. As Austria’s southernmost state capital, Klagenfurt is a fast-emerging hub for innovation, technology, and talent – and one of the most livable cities in the Alps-Adriatic region.

We are your first and official point of contact if you’re ready to make things happen here – for entrepreneurs, startups, scale-ups, visionary founders, skilled professionals, researchers, and students from all over the world.

Our international, professional, and multilingual business service offers free, hands-on support to help you turn ideas, projects, and future plans into reality.

Whether you’re an established company, a fast-growing startup, a creative mind, a strategic thinker, a business builder, or a researcher – in Klagenfurt you’ll find space to grow, access to strong networks and partners, and an environment that inspires.

Next Stop: Klagenfurt. Because the future begins where opportunities connect – with you.

Klagenfurt – and especially the Lakeside Science & Technology Park – offers ideal conditions and infrastructure for our global IT services. We also benefit from a technologyfocused business and research network that continues to grow. Highly qualified IT professionals are therefore in high demand with us. Today, around 300 colleagues from 17 nations work at our Klagenfurt site –including several graduates from the nearby university.”

– Hansjörg Sonnleitner, Managing Director, Infineon IT-Services GmbH

Klagenfurt offers more:

Innovation & Technology: Partner with leading research institutions and high-tech clusters.

Stable & business-friendly: A liberal economy and political stability for sustainable growth.

International gateway: Direct access to Italy, Slovenia, and the heart of Central Europe.

Talent & Quality of life: Excellent education, top healthcare, and a great place to live.

Attractive tax and incentive system: Ideal conditions for business start-ups and expansion.

Smart infrastructure: Modern transport, strong digital networks, and flexible business space.

76,200

13,500

> 105,000 Inhabitants

Research facilities

500,000 Overnight stays

Airport Klagenfurt

Airports within 2.5-hour radius

Purchasing power index

10,600

Companies

3.5 h

3 h to most important Adriatic ports

2. to most important Alps-Adriatic economic regions

Place for climate-friendly city in the EU

Klagenfurt – Your springboard into the Alps-Adriatic region

Klagenfurt am Wörthersee lies at the heart of Europe – right at the crossroads to Italy and Slovenia, and only a few hours from Croatia and Germany. This unique location makes Austria’s southernmost state capital the ideal hub for investment, innovation, and international cooperation.

The city is not only a vibrant economic driver in the Alps-Adriatic region, but also a gateway to the growth markets of Southern and Southeastern Europe. With direct connections to three international airports (Klagenfurt, Ljubljana, Graz) and the Adriatic

ports of Trieste, Koper, and Rijeka, Klagenfurt is a central node in Europe’s goods and passenger transport network.

The new Koralmbahn – one of Europe’s most important infrastructure projects – will connect the city to Graz in record time, creating a powerful axis between the Adriatic Sea and the Northern Alps. This is complemented by an extensive motorway and rail network, ensuring short travel times in all directions – whether to Vienna, Munich, Venice, or Zagreb.

– Alexander Wagner MSc, Managing Director, KRAUS Betriebsausstattung und Fördertechnik GmbH

For us, it was clear from the start that we wanted to expand our operations in Klagenfurt to keep value creation right here in the region. Of course, there was the temptation to move to neighbouring countries where production costs would have been lower, but we consciously chose to strengthen our local base.

KRAUS stands for quality MADE IN AUSTRIA, and we intend to keep it that way. We have the privilege of working and living in a region where some of our customers spend their holidays – that fact alone speaks for itself.”

A dynamic business location with quality of life

Klagenfurt combines technological expertise, scientific excellence, and entrepreneurial spirit with a strong foundation of long-established family businesses, skilled craftsmanship, and proven industry. International corporations, forward-thinking SMEs, and agile startups benefit from a highly qualified talent pool, strong research institutions, and innovation-friendly infrastructure.

Excellent infrastructure:

At the crossroads of Italy, Slovenia, Croatia & Germany

Just 3.5 hours to major Adriatic ports

6 international airports within 2.5 hours

The city actively promotes education and skills development to ensure that companies can rely on top talent well into the future. For investors, the city offers the perfect conditions: attractive commercial space, efficient administrative processes, stable framework conditions, and a living environment that combines urban diversity with Alpine leisure culture.

Klagenfurt Airport on your doorstep

High-speed Koralmbahn rail link

Extensive, high-capacity transport network

Klagenfurt: City of Opportunity, City of the Future

Innovative, connected, and future-ready.

Klagenfurt is focusing on the topics of tomorrow and steadily evolving into a hotspot for technology, science, and business. Whether you are a startup, a research team, or an internationally active company – if you want to shape the future, you will find ideal conditions here, along with plenty of space for ideas, growth, and success.

The capital of Carinthia is not only perfectly positioned geographically, but also strategically focused: with clear priorities in digitalisation, sustainable technologies, life sciences, logistics, startups, and the creative industries, Klagenfurt is creating a unique ecosystem that offers perspectives for skilled professionals, companies, and investors alike.

Embedded Intelligence – Electronics & Digitalisation with a Future

Digital applications and IT expertise now shape almost every area of our lives – from leisure to the workplace. Rapid technological progress and increasing automation demand highly qualified skills and open up entirely new opportunities. This is exactly where Klagenfurt comes in, positioning itself as a central hub for information and commu-

nication technologies as well as electronic and software-based systems – the technological backbone of digitalisation.

Here, solutions are developed for e.g. automated driving, IoT applications, smart infrastructure, and Industry 4.0.

For 100 years, Klagenfurt has been the ideal location for the Goerner Group to create sustainable packaging solutions. Its central location, strong infrastructure, and close cooperation with funding institutions such as the KWF drive our growth and international focus.”

– Elisabeth Goerner, CEO, Goerner Packaging GmbH

© Goerner Group

When drones land on Mars, some of the know-how comes from Klagenfurt. The algorithm powering NASA’s Mars helicopter Ingenuity was developed with the contribution of a research team from Klagenfurt – a symbol of world-class expertise in autonomous systems.

A hotspot for air and ground robotics.

Here, cutting-edge technology meets academic excellence:

• Europe’s most advanced indoor drone testing facility

• Leading research institutions such as Lakeside Labs and JOANNEUM RESEARCH Robotics

• Decades of expertise from the University of Klagenfurt

Whether UAV technologies, cyber-physical systems, or connected mobility – Klagenfurt is shaping the autonomous world of tomorrow.

Green Tech – sustainable business, smart investment.

Klagenfurt is emerging as a leading hub for green technologies – from e-mobility and the energy transition to the circular economy. Companies benefit from strong networks, sustainable infrastructure, and a city committed to promoting ecological innovation. Startups, SMEs, and global players work side by side to create solutions that unite environmental responsibility and economic growth – with a clear focus on the future. The city, with its “Living Lab” approach, is ready to be your partner.

Life Sciences – rethinking health.

From medical technology and biotechnology to e-health and pharmaceuticals – Klagenfurt brings together expertise for a healthier tomorrow. Life Sciences are among the fastest-growing global industries, and Klagenfurt is right at the heart of it:

• Research and development in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics

• Biotechnological production of food ingredients and active substances

• Medical technology innovations and digital healthcare solutions

Here, business, science, and real-world applications are seamlessly connected.

Logistics – efficiency meets intelligence.

Klagenfurt stands out with excellent transport links and a dynamic logistics cluster: modern intralogistics and automation, smart and digital logistics solutions, traditional warehousing and distribution, as well as intermodal rail, transport, and freight forwarding. With proximity to three international airports, globally connected Adriatic ports, and the high-performance Koralm Railway, the city is becoming the central logistics hub of the Alps-Adriatic region – a true competitive advantage for companies that want to move goods efficiently and sustainably.

Creative industries & startup scene –ideas that inspire.

A vibrant creative scene in design, media, gaming, architecture, and content creation is breathing new life into the city center. At the same time, Klagenfurt’s diverse startup ecosystem –from tech to green innovation – is growing fast, supported by coworking spaces, incubators, and forward-thinking funding programs.

Klagenfurt is more than a business location – it’s where ideas become the future.

Research Hub

Klagenfurt is no longer a hidden gem – it’s a rising key location for high-tech, research, and forward thinkers.

Here, education, science, and business merge into a powerful innovation ecosystem.

International companies, SMEs, and startups meet creative minds, strong research partners, and a results-driven environment that delivers solutions, not excuses.

A center for research and innovation.

In the Lakeside Science & Technology Park – right next to the University of Klagenfurt – around 70 companies with more than 1,800 employees are shaping smart ideas for tomorrow.

Klagenfurt stands for ICT, robotics, drone technologies, AI – and what’s next?

Leading institutions such as AIT, JOANNEUM RESEARCH, Lakeside Labs, University of Klagenfurt, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS), the build! startup center, and the Drone Hub Klagenfurt are paving the way – with Europe’s most advanced indoor drone facility (1,000 m³) and autonomous drone swarms.

The University of Klagenfurt ranks among the world’s best young universities, with research priorities in connected and autonomous systems, robotics & AI, energy management and technology, and sustainability.

CUAS brings research straight into practice – from engineering and IT to health and business.

Robotics made in Klagenfurt.

JOANNEUM RESEARCH Robotics focuses on humanmachine collaboration and safety in smart production processes.

Its Digital Twin Lab brings virtual reality into real-world business applications.

And with KI4LIFE, Fraunhofer Austria has established its Center for Artificial Intelligence in Klagenfurt. Fields of application include language models, machine vision, and time-series analysis – everything that makes your processes smarter.

Green Tech Valley Cluster.

Klagenfurt is also at the forefront of sustainability. As part of the Green Tech Valley, it is home to smart solutions for a CO2-free future – from biomass, solar thermal energy, and intelligent control systems to sustainable mobility, green building, and the circular economy.

In short: Klagenfurt is your launchpad to the future.

Educational Campus

Klagenfurt is your campus of opportunities –right in the heart of Europe and full of future potential. Over 13,500 students, around 70 educational institutions, a strong and ambitious university, the practice-oriented Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, numerous higher technical colleges, and career-focused vocational schools all contribute to a steady flow of fresh talent and highly skilled professionals for the world of tomorrow.

With its dual education system, you don’t just learn theory – you learn how to live innovation.

Klagenfurt doesn’t think in borders, but in opportunities – at every stage of education. From apprentices to high-tech researchers, this is where knowledge is built with real impact.

Klagenfurt is more than just a place of learning –it inspires.

13,500+ students

~70 educational institutions

Dual education system Future-oriented degree programs

Klagenfurt is our strategic location for managing our healthcare IT business across Central and Eastern Europe. The excellent infrastructure and highly qualified professionals enable us to drive digitalization in healthcare and expand internationally.”

– Fabio Rossi, CEO, PCS Professional Clinical Software GmbH

Locations with a Future

Whether you’re an industrial or commercial enterprise, a startup, scale-up, or research team – Klagenfurt offers a soft landing and rapid growth potential.

From smart technology parks and vibrant creative hubs to expansive business and industrial areas, you’ll find the right space for your company – whether you’re just starting out or already operating on a global scale. Here, innovation, infrastructure, and quality of life meet the perfect environment for growth:

Lakeside Science & Technology Park

Lakeside Park is the beating heart of Klagenfurt’s technology and research scene – located right next to the university and internationally well-connected. More than 70 companies and research institutions – including Infineon, SKIDATA, and JOANNEUM RESEARCH – are developing solutions for tomorrow here: from ICT and robotics to drones, AI, and smart systems.

EastX Business District

In the East of the city, smart production and logistics are in full swing. The EastX Business District offers large, fully serviced plots for industry, warehousing, and smart manufacturing. With companies like Magna, DHL, and Amazon on site, the district is not only internationally visible

but also ideally connected – to the motorway, the airport, and the new Koralm Railway. Available plots make this location especially attractive for companies with growth ambitions.

Medicine. Research. Life Sciences

Klagenfurt’s north is developing into a hub for life sciences, medical technology, and healthcare innovation. Close to the Klagenfurt State Hospital and the emerging Medical Campus, premium sites are available for research-driven companies, medical spin-offs, and healthcare service providers.

A dynamic industry mix

From international logistics leaders to innovative food producers – the south of the city is home to a diverse business community. The SouthX Business District brings together high-tech machinery manufacturers, startups, and industrial enterprises in a vibrant, future-focused environment. Perfect for those who want to benefit from a strong industry mix and proximity to the A2 South Motorway.

WestX Business District

In the west, a vibrant hotspot for ICT, robotics, artificial intelligence, and drone technology is taking shape. The WestX Business District links the university, Lakeside Park, and the build! startup incubator into a dynamic “innovation triangle.” Here, research institutions, tech startups, and international companies work side by side. If you’re looking for innovation, talent, and technology – you’ll find it here.

Creative spaces with urban flair

Coworking and community in Klagenfurt offer more than machines and labs – it’s about ideas, exchange, and creative energy.

The city operates three coworking spaces in the lively Lendhafen district: Hafenstadt, Anlegestelle, and Hafen 11 – all embedded in a vibrant neighborhood that sparks inspiration.

Ready for your next move?

Whether it’s office space, a production hall, or an available commercial site – in Klagenfurt you’ll find the right location for your vision.

With a clear focus on both established and future industries, an excellent position in the Alps-Adriatic region, and an innovation-friendly climate, we offer more than just square meters: We’ll help you find the perfect site – and beyond that, we’ll guide you through the entire relocation process and remain at your side whenever you need us.

Klagenfurt offers high quality of life and a thriving tech scene. Proximity to universities ensures access to talent, while the Lakeside Park creates ideal conditions for innovation and work-life balance.”

– Jörg & Gernot Kerschbaumer, Managing Directors, Imendo GmbH

Live. Work. Grow. In Klagenfurt.

Looking for more than just a job? Searching for a place that inspires, connects, and creates opportunities? Welcome to Klagenfurt! The capital of Carinthia is not only a great place to live – it’s a true magnet for international talent, smart minds, and ambitious future-builders like you.

Whether you’re a researcher, developer, founder, or student – Klagenfurt offers the perfect base for your future. With excellent infrastructure, reliable safety, and a stable environment, you can not only work productively here but also live well. From high-tech to craftsmanship, from visionary projects to established

strengths – companies in Klagenfurt are looking for exactly you: motivated, multilingual, ready for the next step.

The vibe? Mediterranean, open, and diverse. Tradition meets startup DNA, old-town charm blends with international networks. The Alps in sight, Lake Wörthersee at your doorstep – and right in the middle: you.

At the university, the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, or directly in a company – you’ll find space here to think, research, and take off.

Klagenfurt is ready. Are you?

Klagenfurt offers an innovative environment with access to talent from the University of Klagenfurt and proximity to Slovenia and Italy – making it especially attractive for international collaboration. In addition, the support from regional funding programs and networks such as KWF and the build! incubator plays a key role.”

– Dr. Davide Righini, CEO, PiktID FlexCo

Our services for you–tailored for business & talent

For companies, startups & investors.

We are your free one-stop shop for site selection, networking, funding advice, regulatory check-ins, and everything else your business needs.

Whether you’re looking for a tech park, city center office, or industrial site – we’ll find the ideal location for your vision. You’ll also get access to the right contacts, smart financing solutions, and a vibrant business ecosystem.

Looking for staff or relocating with your team? We can help – including relocation services for you and your family.

And if you own a vacant commercial property in Klagenfurt, we’ll bring it back into play.

For international talent, researchers & students.

Looking for more than just a job – but a perspective?

We’ll help you get settled in Klagenfurt.

From personal relocation support and language course tips to recommendations for housing, childcare, and navigating local authorities.

We’ll connect you with companies, universities, and research institutions, show you study and career opportunities – and help you quickly feel at home.

The Bottom Line: Two Target Groups. One Promise: We make it easy for you.

Ready? Let’s talk!

Klagenfurt is safe, green, family-friendly – and refreshingly down-to-earth. Perfect for everyone who wants to do more than just work – but truly live.

Invest in Klagenfurt

Paulitschgasse 13 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee Austria

+43 (0) 463 537 2285 invest@klagenfurt.at

Credits

Responsible for the content: Invest in Klagenfurt, Paulitschgasse 13, 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria. Concept and design: MehrWERT GmbH, Feldmarschall-Conrad-Platz 8, 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee. Status: September 2025. Printed by: StadtDruckerei/Abt. StadtKommunikation, Neuer Platz 1, 9010 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee. This