Up to 90% of all attempts at creating an innovation fail because users’ needs and the context of application have been misjudged, among other reasons. Literature is full of examples for technology-driven innovations in which all attempts to create consumer acceptance later on were in vain. With the call “Users in Focus 2016”, the Vienna Business Agency contributes in raising awareness of this problem and to encourage Vienna-based enterprises in countering this effect by putting future users center-stage starting in the R&D phase. This is an important factor to be able to develop suitable products and services in a cost-effective way.
Jury put projects to the acid test
Twenty-six projects from Viennese companies underwent extensive evaluation. The international jury headed by Reinhard Keil, professor for Computers and Society at the Heinz Nixdorf Institute at the University of Paderborn, identified the best projects and recommended nine for funding. Over the coming years, the Vienna Business Agency will invest 1.6 million euros into these R&D endeavors. Ottobock’s projects has been ranked first place, EXPUTEC second and battenfeld-cincinatti Austria received third place.
Four new life sciences projects in Vienna
- alysis GmbH: Gamification to increase compliance of COPD patients
- dwh GmbH: Digital tools for improving the management of the Health Product Development
- EXPUTEC GmbH: Dashboard to improve critical decisions during biopharmaceutical production processes
- Otto Bock Healthcare Products GmbH: Firmware and app-based training as well as fine-tuning individualized steering of hand prostheses
Additional details about these projects and other proposals that received funding
About the Vienna Business Agency
The Vienna Business Agency is the first point of contact for national and international companies. It offers financial support, real estate and urban development incentives as well as free service and advice. The objective is to strengthen Viennese companies and their innovative force. As a result, the business location is sustainably developed and strengthened in international competition. In 2015, the Vienna Business Agency supported 560 companies and other organizations in Vienna in advancing their projects with a total of some 40 million euros. Additionally, the Vienna Business Agency’s experts conducted some 4,900 individual consultations last year.