OPEN AUSTRIA EAST COAST

Ambassador Petra Schneebauer and Georg Lack with attendees at the kick-off event for OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast earlier this year.
Photo: Austrian Embassy Washington

Since its founding in Silicon Valley, OPEN AUSTRIA has supported 2,500 Austrian companies with over 5,000 consulting services – helping them succeed in the U.S. market while fostering economic growth in both Austria and the U.S.

OPEN AUSTRIA is an initiative of the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs in partnership with Austria's organization for the promotion of trade at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (Advantage Austria). Its mission is to connect Austrian and U.S. entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers, scientists, and creative minds – supporting collaboration, fostering innovation, and creating value for both countries.

Following successful years in Silicon Valley, OPEN AUSTRIA has recently expanded to the U.S. East Coast, with a new presence in Washington, DC, and Boston, Massachusetts, under the name OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast. These cities offer unique ecosystems, with distinct opportunities for new transatlantic collaboration. While the Boston focuses on life sciences and biotech innovation, the Washington, DC centers on U.S. tech and digital policies.

The official kick-off of OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast took place on February 24, 2025, at the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC). The event welcomed approximately 180 guests from business, research, venture capital, and the startup ecosystem. Massachusetts had high-level representation, including Naomi Berlin, Assistant Secretary at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development, and Jeevan Ramapriya, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment. Both welcomed Austria’s new engagement and highlighted the potential for deeper collaboration. Leading the expansion are Co-Directors Georg Lack and Victoria Liedl, who are committed to strengthening Austria’s presence and meaningful partnerships.

Boston: Driving Life Sciences and Biotech Innovation

Boston grants access to the most innovative square mile in the world and is home to a uniquely dense and diverse mix of academic institutions, start-ups, large industrial companies, and investors across various sectors. Especially in the field of life sciences, Boston has established itself as a global innovation hub. Similarly, Austria is among the top life sciences players in the European Union, with approximately 1,000 companies in the sector, an annual industry revenue growth of over 10%, and an R&D intensity of 20.5%. The industry is backed by 55 research institutions alongside strong government support for investment in this field.

OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast aims to strengthen Austria’s presence in Boston’s life sciences and biotech ecosystem by fostering strong ties between the greater Boston area and Austria. This ensures that both regions benefit from innovation, collaboration, and shared expertise. For Austrian companies and start-ups, OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast provides innovation and technology scouting, individual coaching, specialized trade missions, and business networking opportunities—helping them navigate the U.S. market and engage with key industry players. Additionally, it facilitates academic and research networks by connecting Austrian organizations with top U.S. research institutions, think tanks, and international organizations, fostering cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Washington, DC: The Center of U.S. Tech and Digital Policy

With its presence in Washington, D.C., OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast serves as Austria’s gateway to U.S. tech and digital policy. As the seat of the U.S. government, Washington, D.C. is a key regulatory center, shaping policies that influence emerging technologies worldwide. The city is also home to over 176 think tanks, making it the nation's leading hub for policy research and analysis. Additionally, Washington, D.C. offers a diverse funding landscape with opportunities for Austrian businesses and research institutions to engage in innovation and participate in policy-driven projects.

Strategically located near the U.S. administration, OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast provides Austrian stakeholders with key insights into U.S. regulations, funding programs, and global tech developments, while also fostering transatlantic cooperation in business, innovation, and science. At the same time, OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast works closely with tech envoys from other EU countries to convey a unified European message and strengthen dialogue on key regulatory developments.

Ambassador Petra Schneebauer and Georg Lack with attendees at the kick-off of OPEN AUSTRIA East Coast.
Photo: Austrian Embassy Washington