Salzburg’s focus areas can be found in business informatics, trade and banking sectors, control and regulation technology, special mechanical engineering, as well as access systems for leisure and sports facilities. Salzburg is also home to developers of industrial and business software, delivering cutting-edge technology for industrial automation worldwide.
Apart from the IT industry, it is the headquarters and leading companies from other sectors that have their own system houses, data hubs, or IT development departments in Salzburg, revealing themselves as exciting technology companies upon closer inspection. Innovative business informatics can be found in the strongly represented sectors of trade, industry, especially in the automotive sector, and banking.
The creative industry complements the ICT location with numerous digital agencies, design studios, gaming developers, and media companies. Both large media clusters and dynamic startups can be found here.
IT as a significant economic factor
Information and communication technologies, known as ICT, are thus an extremely important economic sector in Salzburg. Approximately 600 companies with around 3,400 employees are active in IT services and the manufacturing of data processing equipment alone. The value added per employee in Salzburg’s data processing equipment manufacturing sector is about twice as high as in the accommodation sector, and the same applies to revenue per employee.
Leading IT companies in Salzburg:
Business Informatics:
- Porsche Informatik: Developer of software solutions for the Porsche Holding
- SPAR ICS: The IT company of the SPAR Austria Group develops solutions for food & retail, sports & fashion, and shopping centers.
- Wüstenrot Technology: Developer of financial services products for Wüstenrot.
Communication Technology:
- conova communications: One of the largest data center operators in Salzburg, offering comprehensive hybrid cloud solutions to businesses
- eurofunk KAPPACHER: One of the largest system specialists for the planning, construction, and operation of control centers and emergency call centers in the public safety, industry, and transportation sectors
- Commend: Developer of security and communication solutions for the protection of people, buildings, industry, and transportation.
Industrial Automation:
- COPA-DATA: COPA-DATA’s software supports industrial companies in automating their machinery, plants, and buildings in the automotive, pharmaceutical, metal industries, and many other sectors. It is one of Austria’s six unicorns.
- Sigmatek: Developer and manufacturer of innovative automation solutions for plastics engineering, logistics, food industry, and many other sectors
- B+R Industrial Automation: Manufacturer of automation technology specializing in robotics and manufacturing automation
Access Systems for Leisure and Sports Facilities:
- SKIDATA: World market leader in mass access systems for individuals and vehicles
- Axess: Modern access systems and software solutions for sports, leisure, culture, and transportation.
Creative Industry:
- Red Bull Media House: Producer of media products for TV, mobile, digital, audio, and print in the fields of sports, culture, and lifestyle. Servus TV, Bergwelten, and carpe diem magazine. Red Bull Records is one of Red Bull Media House’s most successful media outlets.
- KISKA: Internationally successful digital, branding, and design agency
- elements: Full-service agency for digital marketing
- loop: The digital agency loop serves renowned clients such as Puma, Audi, or Nespresso and has locations on four continents. Its headquarters are in Salzburg.
- pixelart: A pan-European digital agency
ICT Start-ups in Salzburg:
It’s not only established leading companies that distinguish the ICT location. Young entrepreneurs bring innovative ICT applications to the market. Here is a selection of successful start-ups in the ICT field:
- sproof: Software for legally binding digital certifications and signatures
- Fact AI: Develops AI assistants for personalized online shopping
- LiveVoice: The app for smart live event streaming
- Polycular: VR and AR development for unique and interactive learning experiences
- Ecosensors: Develops AI sensors for environmental monitoring to provide real-time data, for example, during natural disasters
- NativeWaves: Enables personalized viewing of live broadcasts, creating a unique live experience
- Cognify: Develops machine learning algorithms for businesses.
- Augmenterra offers soil and structural monitoring services using radar satellites (InSAR).
-
Sleep2: an app that provides highly accurate sleep analysis and effective sleep training based on scientific insights.
The digitalisation strategy for the state of Salzburg
As part of the Science and Innovation Strategy 2025, the state of Salzburg also developed the Innovation and Research Master Plan ICT Salzburg to further develop the ICT location. These measures have been implemented and further advanced:
- Broadband expansion in Salzburg
- Funding program Salzburg.Digital
- Digital to support digitalization projects in SMEs
- Location marketing to increase the visibility of the ICT location
- Creating new training opportunities to prevent skill shortages
- Establishing new research positions to promote scientific innovation
- Strengthening the transfer from science to business and fostering research collaborations
A new ICT master plan is currently being developed.
Innovation Salzburg and its cooperation partners support ICT companies with the following concerns:
- Consulting and support in the development of innovation and cooperation projects
- Assistance with funding applications
- Finding research partners
- Qualification workshops
- Specialized events
- Start-up support through the incubator Startup Salzburg
24. October 2025
Christian Doppler Laboratory unites Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing in Salzburg
Salzburg is strengthening its cutting-edge research: In the new Christian Doppler Laboratory for the Authentication of Persons and Object Surfaces, innovative solutions for enhanced security are being developed by combining artificial intelligence and image processing. These solutions are created in close collaboration between science and industry.
6. March 2025
salz21: Necessary Steps for the Future
On March 5, 2025, salz21 | Home of Innovation once again provided a platform for future topics, innovations, and interdisciplinary exchange. More than 1,000 visitors took the opportunity to learn about current developments and discuss perspectives for tomorrow. Three topics were particularly dominant: climate protection, artificial intelligence, and a strong Europe.
15. August 2024
Sunbeam Yachts: Where Craftsmanship Meets Digitalization
Sunbeam Yachts has been building exclusive sailing yachts at Mattsee for generations. The production is done by hand, with some processes now digitally supported.
12. August 2024
SBS: One Software for Many Self-Service Devices
As a leading provider of banking software in Salzburg, SBS is now exploring new markets. The company remains true to its core segment by offering manufacturer-neutral software for self-service devices in additional sectors.
30. July 2024
Meissl: Updating Established Structures
There is a great deal of know-how, technology, and experience in umbrellas—especially those built by Meissl. With the support of funding, the company has also made significant progress in the digitalization process.
29. July 2024
AI and Creativity in Focus: Highlights from the Media Summit 2024
At the traditional event of the media and creative industry, 220 people gathered at the end of July. In the prestigious Schloss Leopoldskron, the high-profile panels of the main program discussed topics such as AI, creativity, incentive funding, and algorithms in streaming TV.