GSA AT CARINTHIA INNOVATES, FOSTERING CROSS-BORDER INNOVATION
Global Startup Awards (GSA) is excited to attend Carinthia Innovates this May, joining a dynamic gathering of innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers and industry leaders in one of Europe’s fast-emerging deep-tech ecosystems. The event represents a key meeting point where research excellence and entrepreneurial ambition converge, fostering new connections across borders and disciplines.
CARINTHIA INNOVATES: A PLATFORM WHERE IDEAS TURN INTO COLLABORATION
Guided by the principle that conversation sparks cooperation and cooperation drives co-creation, Carinthia Innovates brings together national and international stakeholders interested in the region’s evolving economic and scientific landscape. The conference is designed not only to showcase Carinthia’s strategic approach to innovation-driven growth, but also to actively enable exchange between business, research, and investment communities. Through curated interactions and open dialogue, the event creates a space where ideas can be tested and transformed into collaborative opportunities.
FOCUS ON DEEP TECH AND FRONTIER INNOVATION
This year’s program places strong emphasis on technologies shaping the next wave of industrial and scientific transformation.
A central theme, Drones meet Autonomic Resilience, explores the future of autonomous systems and their ability to operate in complex, real-world environments. Alongside this, dedicated deep-dive sessions on Quantum Technology and Photonics will highlight breakthroughs that are redefining the boundaries of computation, communication, and sensing.
Participants will also gain access to presentations showcasing cutting-edge research and emerging investment opportunities, offering a forward-looking perspective on technologies moving from lab to market. Complementing this, Voices of Impact will bring forward perspectives from founders, researchers, and ecosystem builders driving tangible innovation across sectors.
CONNECTING ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH DIALOGUE AND OPPORTUNITY
Networking remains a core pillar of the conference, with formats such as Meet2Match designed to facilitate targeted conversations. These structured exchanges aim to accelerate collaboration and open pathways for scaling ideas internationally.
Startups will play a visible role throughout the event, particularly in the Start-Up Corner & PitchingSessions, where selected teams will present their solutions on stage. These sessions reinforce the event’s commitment to supporting early-stage ventures and enabling meaningful market access.
INNOVATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND REAL-WORLD TESTING ENVIRONMENTS
A key highlight of Carinthia’s innovation landscape is the University of Klagenfurt’s dronehub, a leading research centre for unmanned aviation systems. The facility has recently expanded with the development of the Outdoor Drone System Arena, set to become the largest of its kind worldwide. Together with Europe’s largest Indoor Drone Hall, this infrastructure offers researchers and companies a unique environment for testing and validating autonomous drone technologies under real-world conditions.
Full program details and registration are available at: www.carinthia-innovates.at
About THE GLOBAL STARTUP WARDS
The Global Startup Startup (GSA) is the world’s largest startup ecosystem platform, which covers 154 countries worldwide. The GSA discovers and empowers high-growth and innovative entrepreneurs and their startups through global competitions, events, collaboration, and community.