As one of the well-established hubs of the vibrant Alps-Adriatic economic region, the City of Villach has long positioned itself as a helpful pioneer and innovative incubator for technological advancement. Here in the tri-border region of Austria, Italy, and Slovenia, intercultural living meets a large pool of well-educated specialists as well as a special commitment to a culture of cooperation in politics and management, which extends across many industries and borders.

In recent years, the €1.6 billion investment in Europe’s most modern microchip factory by Infineon Technologies Austria and being chosen as one of only three locations of Silicon Austria Labs show how important the region has become in the European technology scene. Large and established multinational corporations such as 3M, Imerys, Flowserve and Lam Research, as well as innovative small- and medium-sized companies in the technology and service sectors, characterize the diversified economic structure.

RELOCATION SERVICES & SUPPORT AND FUNDING PROGRAMS

As companies are being established or developed they can benefit from the specially developed funding and other support programs and the one-stop-service approach of the City of Villach. With consultations and advice tailored to the individual requirements of each company, the team in Villach’s city hall ensures engaged and flexible support. This can help start-ups as well as long-established manufacturers, small boutique hotels, or large commercial enterprises.

The support extends from the preparation of comprehensive information about the location, to the identification of concrete site suggestions with city and transport planners, to the accompaniment on site visits. This includes both city-owned business development areas as well as promising privately-owned properties.

A key part of the First Stop Relocation Service is the coordination of all contact persons who are important in the approval process, and subsequently, connecting with relevant development partners. Depending on the field, this could be research centers, educational institutions, or organizations, for example Villach’s city marketing office, the Economic Chambers (Wirtschaftskammer), or the Carinthian International Center.

In terms of infrastructure, this city on the Drau has long shown that it easily meets the expectations for future-oriented investments. Villach has always been exceptionally well connected. In the past it was by rail, and today it is by fiber-optic networks and 220/110 Kv power lines, which contribute to a secure energy supply, as well as by international freeway connections, which turn the region into a highly-frequented transportation junction.

The major investment in a new power substation has ensured future energy supply reliability and voltage quality. Through clean and sustainable hydropower electricity production and a powerful grid support infrastructure, Carinthia is well-prepared for steadily growing energy demands. Additionally, the availability of stable, interference-free, and high-quality communications technology is being continuously expanded. Extensive measures for the provision of ultrafast broadband internet as well as wireless communications networks are already quite advanced.

PLENTY OF SPACE FOR INNOVATIVE IDEAS

The open technology laboratory OTELO serves as an experimental and free space in the technology scene. Attractive co-working spaces facilitate straightforward working and networking from the old town (Co-Quartier) to the more rural outskirts of the city (BizFarm, PGQ3). Working at the lake is also possible with the Business Beach, and the “Gründergarage” provides comprehensive infrastructure for start-ups.

PULLING TOGETHER

More than 20 years ago the “Stadt-Umland-Regionalkooperation” project was established - a cooperative effort between the City of Villach and nearby towns in the region - which has been able to guide, support, co-develop, and advise 110 projects in the Villach region since then. With this regional management strategy, the City of Villach and the 19 surrounding communities have created a platform which pools resources, optimizes the cooperation between municipalities, and strengthens the region. The goal of this cooperative project is to carry out cross-community projects and to create recreational opportunities and living spaces.