Enlarged representation
© Martin Steinthaler
Sunrise above Villach science & technology area

About Us

tpv  Technology Park Villach 

Villach has had an aggressive technology policy for years, which focuses primarily on high quality of life, a great site, and economic expansion.

By prioritizing advanced technology, Villach has made a name for itself as a high-tech business location in the Alps-Adriatic region; and as the home of international companies and research institutes, it has staked out a clear position in the field of microelectronics.

Building site at tpv
© Karin Wernig

The basis for the initial development of the original Technology Park Villach and for the future direction is its clear positioning in the areas of microelectronics, electronics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering, renewable energy, information and communications technology, as well as suppliers and services in these fields, based on the three-pillar model of training & education, research & development, and business & industry at one location.

Through using synergies and joining forces the perfect framework for a constructive culture of communication and trust was created.

There are currently more than 40 companies and organizations on-site, with over 700 employees, 1000 university students, and 70 apprentices.

Employees in the clean room of comprehensive
© Comprei

Anchor Tenants & Leading Companies in tpv

 

  • the Villach location of the build! business incubator, which provides support for innovative and tech-oriented start-ups in the region
  • the EMC laboratory of the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences research association, which is currently being built at tpv . The EMC lab is a state-certified testing site for electromagnetic compatibility.
  • the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, with departments in Engineering & IT and Management, the Science & Energy Labs, the Innovation Workshop, and the start-up service organization Gründergarage
  • the GPS - Ausbildungszentrum, an intercompany training center in the areas of metal technology, mechatronics, electronics, and electrical engineering
  • the High Tech Campus Villach GmbH, which is currently building the second building, BA02 (the main tenant will be SAL Silicon Austria Labs). As per the competition, four buildings will be built, each of which will have 4000 m² of space for companies that focus on research, development, and production technology.
  • Intel Austria GmbH, with its research and development on mobile communications, network support, and electronic components
  • the Infineon subsidiary KAI Kompetenzzentrum Automobil- und Industrieelektronik (KAI Automobile and Industry Electronics Competence Center), which researches the performance and reliability of power semiconductors in the application areas of power conversion and load switching
  • the Silicon Alps Cluster (SAC), as a network of domestic partners from business, science, and the public sector, which works to develop and position the electronics and microelectronics industries in the provinces of Carinthia and Styria
  • Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (SAL) research center, a European center of research excellence for electronic based systems (EBS)
  • STUWO student housing, which currently offers apartments for 110 university students
  • T.I.P.S. Messtechnik GmbH, which specializes in the production of electronic devices, such as measuring plates
  • WIFI Villach (Institute for Economic Development) with the district office of the Carinthian Economic Chamber (WKO), which, as a branch office of the Austrian Institute for Economic Development, is one of the best established providers of adult vocational education in the country
  • food service establishments including the AckerBox,as an important part of the infrastructure, complete the offerings
© Karin Wernig
View on the drau directly from tpv

VISION & Next Development Steps

Intensive work on the tpv campus development plan was done until the beginning of 2021, and numerous projects were developed which are expected to be implemented over the coming years.

The concept was structured around the following focus areas:

A comprehensive signage system will be introduced from the campus entrance through to the individual buildings. An “entrance gateway” and an information booth are planned for the entrance area. In the info booth visitors will be able to quickly and easily get information about the companies present on-site - and it will naturally be handicapped accessible. To implement this, the barrier system of the KELAG building will be moved and a new entrance will be created.

visualization of the signage system
© Institute for Cultural Policy

In order to create communication and shared space areas the following projects are planned, which will be built successively over the next few years: 

  • construction of a river platform near building BA01 of the HTCV, including a partial relocation of the bike path,
  • a deck on the river near CUAS, and
  • connecting paths between the buildings and also to the bike paths on the campus

 

Visualization of the planned river platform in tpv
© Institute for cultural policy

 

These improvements will be rounded off with a unified green space concept. In this way, the exterior design will offer room to socialize or relax, and newly planted trees and bushes will provide shade. Garden beds featuring native bushes, grasses, and flowers will complete the design.

In addition to the seating options that are already in place, new sitting areas will be created over the next few years. This will not only create places to socialize or relax, but will also serve to support communication between employees.

park with trees
© Karin Wernig
© Karin Wernig
Pedestrian sitting on a bench
© Karin Wernig
Park with sunshine
© Karin Wernig
Canes and bushes at the river Drau

A new land-use plan for the still-undeveloped areas, which are mostly owned by the City of Villach, is currently being worked out. Besides optimizing the usage of the available space, the main focus of this land-use plan is to take into account the concept of ecological footprint.

450 - 600 new parking places will be created through the construction of a new parking garage. In addition to parking options for students, storage and warehouse space for current and future companies will be created.

By the time the parking garage is built, two new EV charging stations will be set up in the parking area.

Buidling site at tpv Technologypark Villach
© Martin Steinthaler

Planning is under way for the tpv preschool, which will house three preschool groups for children from three to six years old and a daycare for children from one to three years old. Construction should begin in 2022. The preschool will be available not only for the children of on-site employees, but also for the general population of Villach.

Children with their parents in the kindergarden of Infineon
© HP Photo Hannes Pacheiner

 

This offer will be supplemented by a mini educational lab, an early childhood education research lab with a focus on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering/information technology, and mathematics). This is based on a partnership with the Educational Lab of the Lakeside Science & Technology Park GmbH in Klagenfurt.

Children at a playground in Villach
© Karin Wernig

In addition to building BA01 of the HTCV High Tech Campus Villach, which has SAL Silicon Austria Labs GmbH, the build! building incubator (with coworking space), and SAC Silicon Alps Cluster as anchor tenants, construction on building BA02 has been going on since March 2021. The main tenant in this building will be SAL, and completion of the building, which will have approximately 3000 m² of space for offices and laboratories as well as a 1000 m² cleanroom, is planned for fall 2023.

Planning for buildings BA03 and BA04 is scheduled for 2021/22. 

Visualization of the new building in tpv
© High Tech Campus Villach