xista science ventures

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬! Our recap of the 5th Edition of the OCCIDENT Pitch Event 2025 in Munich. At xista science ventures, we believe that true innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—it takes bold ideas, strong execution, and the right partners. That is why we were thrilled to cohost the OCCIDENT Pitch Event 2025, celebrating the power of early-stage science-driven startups together with OCCIDENT and Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft / Helmholtz Association. 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲-𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐧-𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐬 are at the heart of what we do at xista science ventures. During the event, 18 inspiring founders pitched game-changing ideas, including some from our own portfolio: 🔹 Daniela Buchmayr from Sarcura 🔹Tomaz Bizjak from ReCatalyst In uncertain times, 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 between investors, founders, and the ecosystem is more critical than ever. We believe that funding innovation, empowering teams to succeed, and creating sustainable value for society are the cornerstones of rewarding investments. 𝐀 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨-𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 and everyone who joined and contributed to such a high-impact day. Austria’s innovation landscape is more energized than ever, and xista is excited to be at the heart of it! #VentureCapital #Investment #AustriaInnovation #Deeptech Photos: OCCIDENT

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞, 𝐚 𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲, 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚! What started as a Technische Universität Wien research project is now a €63M-backed AI powerhouse, helping companies like Audi, BMW, and Lufthansa predict supply chain risks before they happen. Now making headlines in DER STANDARD and Trending Topics, Prewave’s journey proves that deep-tech innovation from Austria can go global—and we’re proud to support them every step of the way! From bold ideas to global impact—that’s what we invest in at xista science ventures. 🔗 Read more about our investment: https://lnkd.in/dFZUFJYd 🔗 Read more on Der Standard: https://lnkd.in/d5YhCsM6 🔗 Read more on Trending Topics: https://lnkd.in/dkUMBAnc #DeepTech #AI #SupplyChain #StartupSuccess #VentureCapital #Globalimpact

𝐇𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐒-𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞! 40,000 applications. 80 finalists. 10 track winners. And HEPHAISTOS-Pharma, one of our portfolio companies, is among them, securing the top spot in Medical Biotech & Pharmaceuticals. The Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge is a leading competition for deep-tech startups transforming industries with breakthrough science. Winning a track is not just an achievement, it’s validation of the scientific and commercial potential behind a truly disruptive innovation. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐒-𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚’𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: 🔹Developed ONCO-Boost, a novel TLR4 immunotherapy. 🔹Secured several million Euro to reach clinical stage. 🔹Recognized as a track winner at Hello Tomorrow. 𝐇𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐒-𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 HEPHAISTOS-Pharma is developing next-generation immunotherapies for cancer. Their lead drug candidate, ONCO-Boost, activates the patient’s innate immune response, training the body to recognize and attack non-responsive tumors and offering new hope where standard treatments fail. At xista science ventures, we invest in breakthrough science with real-world impact—backing visionary teams like HEPHAISTOS to bring pioneering research out of the lab and into the clinic. Big congratulations to founders Martine Caroff, Charles Dumontet, CEO Frederic CAROFF and the team 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭? 🔗 Discover our portfolio: xista.vc/portfolio 🔗 Learn more about HEPHAISTOS-Pharma: https://lnkd.in/e4ffNCAc #DeepTech #Biotech #Immunotherapy #VentureCapital #HelloTomorrow #LifeSciences #CancerTherapeutics

𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝. 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 2024 was a tough year for venture capital - market uncertainty, scarce exits, and a challenging fundraising landscape. While some funds struggle, others push forward. A recent trend. article highlights how Austrian VCs are adapting: expanding into emerging markets, doubling down on healthtech and femtech, and responding to the demand for alternative financing models. 𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩. 🔹 The fund xista science ventures II launched last summer. With a first close secured in December, we ensured a seamless transition, growing our capacity to invest in breakthrough lifescience- and deep tech startups. 🔹 Our second fund will be even bigger and goes beyond Austrian spin-offs, backing cutting-edge science ventures across Europe. 🔹 Austria’s VC market still lags behind the EU average, but this only strengthens our mission: turning scientific innovation into impactful startups. Innovation doesn’t wait. And neither do we. 🔗 Want to know more? Join us at our Portfolio & Investors Day in April. ➡️ Learn more about our vision: xista.vc #VentureCapital #DeepTech #Biotech #Innovation #Austria

𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭. This is why, yesterday, we broke ground on the newest expansion of the xista science park. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 4,060 𝐦² 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞, this new facility will give science-driven startups the infrastructure they need to turn their scientific breakthroughs into real-world solutions. Since 2019, the xista science park has provided state-of-the-art labs and offices for startups at the intersection of research, technology, and entrepreneurship as part of our xista innovation ecosystem. Demand keeps growing and so does our commitment to supporting the next generation of innovators. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 €22 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 to expand the park and create new, fully equipped lab space alongside flexible office areas. Markus Wanko, 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚, comments: "The xista science park addresses a central challenge of the Austrian biotech scene: there is excellent research, but in comparison, too little implementation in start-ups. Especially for young biotech companies, the search for suitable laboratory infrastructure is a major hurdle. By expanding the park, we are offering existing companies opportunities for growth, creating additional labs for start-ups and thereby strengthening our position as an attractive location for biotech and deep tech companies.” This milestone was made even more special by the presence of Federal Minister Martin Polaschek, Martin Hetzer, President of Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Member of the Lower Austrian Parliament Mayor Christoph Kaufmann (representing Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner) , Helmut Miernicki, Managing Director of ecoplus. Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH, and Markus Wanko, Managing Director of xista science park. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭? This is just the beginning. xista’s vision is to grow into a hub for science-driven startups, bridging the gap between research and application. ▶️ Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/d9mua9c2 ▶️ Looking for lab or office space to build your biotech or deep tech venture? Let’s talk. Rendering © F+P Architekten ZT GmbH Photographs © ISTA #Biotech #DeepTech #Innovation #Startups #ScienceToImpact

𝐑𝐞𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞. 4,500 applications. 80 selected. 7 in Energy. And ReCatalyst, one of our science-driven portfolio companies, is among them. The Hello Tomorrow Global Challenge is one of the most prestigious platforms for deep-tech startups transforming industries with real technological breakthroughs. Being selected as a finalist is a recognition of both scientific excellence and commercial potential. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: 🔹 2023 – Joined Hello Tomorrow as a pre-seed startup. 🔹 2024 – Returned as a Seed-stage DeepTech Pioneer. 🔹 2025 – Now competing as a finalist on the global stage. 𝐑𝐞𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭'𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 ReCatalyst is developing a nanotechnology platform for next-generation (electro)catalysts, optimizing platinum use in fuel cells and water electrolysis. Their work could significantly reduce costs and improve scalability, making hydrogen energy a real alternative for industry and transport. At xista science ventures, we invest in lab-developed science ventures with clear commercial potential. ReCatalyst aligns with our investment thesis: breakthrough lab science, strong execution, and the ability to reshape entire industries. Congratulations to co-founders Tomaz Bizjak, Matija Gatalo and their team! 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭? 📍 Meet ReCatalyst: March 12 - 14 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/g6PsQFAt ▶️ Explore our portfolio: xista.vc/portfolio #Cleantech #DeepTech #FuelCells #EnergyInnovation #HelloTomorrow

𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚.𝐢𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐈-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. xista science ventures portfolio company nista.io has partnered with Schneider Electric, a global leader in sensor-, monitoring technology and automation. Sustainable energy systems require ambitious goals, innovative technology, and precise execution. nista.io develops AI-powered data analysis software that makes energy management smarter, faster, and more adaptive to the real-world demands of energy-intensive industries. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬: ✔️ 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬 – Integrate nista’s AI-driven software with Schneider’s industry-leading hardware and monitoring solutions. ✔️  𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬  – Partnering with Schneider Electric means global impact. ✔️ 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 – Furthering nista.io’s mission of providing real-time energy consumption insights to drive energy savings. Startups like nista prove that deep-tech solutions can redefine entire sectors. Congratulations to Anna Pölzl and Dr. Benjamin Mörzinger and the team. 🔗 Read more about the partnership: https://lnkd.in/dk_2Gy_n ▶️ Explore our portfolio of science-driven startups: xista.vc/portfolio #Cleantech #AI #EnergyManagement #DeepTech #IndustrialInnovation #Sustainability #ClimateTech #ImpactInvesting #VentureCapital © Oskar Fleischanderl

𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭. As investors in science-driven startups like infrared.city, ReCatalyst, and Rivus Batteries, we see firsthand how European innovation is reshaping infrastructure, and industry and energy. But to unlock its full potential, we need policies that match the ambition of the startups driving change. That’s why today xista science ventures joins over 100 leading cleantech innovators and investors from across Europe in an open letter calling on the European Commission to deliver an ambitious Clean Industrial Deal. The letter, addressed to Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen and relevant Commissioners, emphasizes the urgent need for action in 2025 to address Europe’s geopolitical challenges, energy costs, and intensifying global competition.  𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐔 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬. As venture partner, Bernhard Petermeier aptly put: "By fostering our ecosystem through an ambitious Clean Industrial Deal, we demonstrate to the world that Europe is the foremost region for cleantech innovation and impact investment." 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬: 1️⃣𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡: Leveraging programs to incentivize adoption and support industry transformation to state-of-the-art cleantech. 2️⃣𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐝𝐞-𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐬: Expand EU funding and guarantees to mobilize Europe’s €38 trillion in private capital, scaling cleantech manufacturing while ensuring fiscal efficiency. At xista science ventures, we believe cleantech is about sustainability AND industrial competitiveness, innovation, and global leadership. Together, we can ensure that our startups have the support they need to thrive. 🔗  𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: https://lnkd.in/e_8zcV3P ▶️ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 startups: https://xista.vc/portfolio #Sustainability #CleantechForEurope #ImpactInvesting #InnovationLeadership #CleanIndustrialDeal

What to join an early-stage #fund with strong relationships to one of the most exciting top research institutions and up and coming #innovation #ecosystems in Europe? If you come from a background in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Physics and want to work with founders of #groundbreaking next generation #technologies at the intersection of hardware, software, and industrial technologies, check out our #job ad below ⬇️ Looking forward to meeting you!

𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 #𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 We are excited by the caliber of talent that’s already applied for our open role - and there’s still time to get your name in the mix! Are you an expert in innovation at the intersection of hardware, software, and industrial technologies? xista science ventures is seeking a Principal - Industrial Technologies to join our investment team. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗨𝘀? Drive Investments: Source, screen, and execute high-potential early-stage startup deals in industrial technologies. 🔸𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱: Work with partners, portfolio companies, co-investors, and industry experts to foster growth and innovation. 🔸 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Manage and support our portfolio companies to drive impactful outcomes. 🔸𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺: Represent xista science ventures at industry events, share thought leadership, and cultivate relationships within the startup ecosystem. If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and help shape the future of innovation, we’d love to hear from you! ▶️ Check out the full job ad: https://lnkd.in/dmnEhrva #jobs #investment #sciencedriveninnovation