The Challenge
Austria stands at a crossroads:
- High public spending (56% of GDP) weakens competitiveness.
- Innovation gap compared to Switzerland, Denmark, and Sweden.
- Brain drain of young talent reduces future capacity.
Without decisive action, Austria risks sliding into long-term stagnation.
The Vision
Austria must transform into Central Europe’s Innovation Hub by 2030:
- AI-driven industries for SMEs and mid-sized champions.
- GreenTech transition: clean energy, circular economy, asset-light models.
- Education-as-a-Service: citizen empowerment through lifelong learning.
The Strategy (3 Horizons)
H1 – Quick Wins (2025–2027):
- Cut bureaucracy, simplify SME rules.
- Launch AI clusters in Vienna, Graz, Linz.
- Tax incentives for GreenTech startups.
H2 – Mid-Term (2027–2030):
- Scale AI-driven B2B exports.
- Build innovation corridors (Austria–CEE).
- Citizen Wealth Programs through asset-light entrepreneurship.
H3 – Legacy (2030+):
- Austria as AI + Green Growth Hub of Central Europe.
- Strong democracy with citizens benefiting directly from innovation growth.
The Key Drivers
- Time: Speed of execution matters.
- Money: Reallocation from subsidies to innovation.
- Convenience: Enable SMEs & citizens to access AI tools easily.
- Sustainability: Growth aligned with environment & democracy.
The Call to Action
Austria has the talent, infrastructure, and location advantage.
👉 What’s missing? Decisive leadership and citizen empowerment.-Josef David
