Science Park Graz is an academic business incubator for technology-oriented new companies. It is a joint initiative of all academic institutions, both in research and education, located in the area of Graz. Science Park Graz considers itself as a service provider for University and non-university research institutions in Styria in all matters concerning the founding process. The main task of Science Park Graz is to enhance entrepreneurial thinking by awareness-raising, mobilisation and stimulation of the start-up activities in the academic sector. The target group comprises all entrepreneurs coming from the universities e.g. alumni, professors, scientific staff and the growing group of contract researchers working at the universities and other regional non-university research institutions in the region of Graz. Science Park Graz supports the entrepreneurs from the first idea to the foundation of a company by offering consultation and coaching (transfer of entrepreneurship know-how, counselling and assistance during the founding process), opportunities for continuous education, infrastructure, financial support and the use of networks. Regardless of the specific academic background, the fundamental criteria to be successfully accepted inside Science Park Graz is the quality of the business idea and business plan, as assessed by an international Project Advisory Board. The business plan summarizes operational and financial objectives of a business and contains the detailed plans and budgets showing how the objectives are to be realized. Upon acceptance, the entrepreneur is given 18 months to get started and to benefit from additional preparatory training units, including academic mentoring, access to R&D equipment (if necessary) and some financial support as well. Shareholders (in %): 48% Graz University of Technology 26% Karl-Franzens-University Graz 26% Styrian Economic Promotion Agency (SFG) Academic Partners: * Joanneum Research GmbH * Austrian Academy of Sciences, Graz * Technikum Joanneum GmbH * Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Graz * WIFI Steiermark GmbH, Bereich FH-Studiengänge (Campus 02) Supporting partners: City of Graz Zentrum für Angewandte Technologie (ZAT), Leoben and about 20 business mentors. Short Description: Science Park Graz