The Twin City Future Innovation Manufacturing Hub is being operated under the project code 404101DXL3 and implemented as part of the Interreg VI-A Slovakia–Austria funding program, financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Project Budget: 2.509.280,18 €
ERDF Funding: 2.007.424,14 €
Co-Funding Lower Austria: 57.522,73 € from the Granting Body Niederösterreichischer Wirtschafts- und Tourismusfonds based on the funding contract number WST3-F-5030641/014-2023.
2C FIMH is a cross-border initiative to promote innovation, cooperation and sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector between Austria and Slovakia. By involving key players from industry, science, administration, and civil society, the project aims to create a resilient and competitive manufacturing ecosystem in the Vienna-Bratislava Twin City Region.
Over the course of two years, pilot activities on incubation, education, and cooperation will be carried out to promote cross-border collaboration between universities, companies, and start-ups. Through targeted activities such as exploratory trips, pilot programs, and recommendations, the project is building a solid foundation for a joint innovation strategy between Austria and Slovakia.
To drive impact, the project focuses on these key objectives:
- Providing strategic direction through a jointly developed handbook that outlines actionable recommendations for a cross-border innovation strategy in the manufacturing sector.
- Securing long-term political commitment by facilitating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among key stakeholders.
- Creating a sustainable innovation infrastructure by establishing and operating the Twin City Hub in Vienna and Bratislava as a central platform for ongoing collaboration.
- Fostering continuous knowledge exchange across borders through expert groups, thematic workshops, and exploratory visits to strengthen networks and share best practices.
Future Incubation: Piloting new Support Models
As lead partner of the Future Incubation work package, accent — in collaboration with EIT Manufacturing, Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy (SAPIE), and Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STU)— designs and pilots several new support models to accelerate cross-border innovation:
- Sprint formats to help startups prototype and scale their solutions across borders.
- Roadshow formats to better connect startups and businesses at the regional level.
- A call system to help identify and support high-potential initiatives.
- A cooperation model to lay the groundwork for a future cross-border incubator.
The accent Makerspace serves as a central location for interregional collaboration, where start-ups can jointly develop prototypes and drive innovation.
Outlook on Project Results
The project results include ongoing cross-border cooperation between organisations, formalized through agreements and partnerships, and jointly developed solutions taken up or scaled by organisations, such as the handbook for a cross-border innovation strategy, the Memorandum of Understanding, and various pilot support models.
From Prototype to Industry Programme: Applications are open
Prototype to Industry is a structured five-month support programme that helps hardware, industrial and deep-tech teams turn their prototypes into validated, manufacturable products — through hands-on support, industry access and expert feedback.
Running from October 2026 to March 2027, the Prototype to Industry Programme osupports up to five selected teams as they make smarter product decisions, identify critical challenges early, and learn from what others have learned the hard way.
The programme is designed for teams whose prototype is no longer just an idea, but not yet ready for production — that challenging middle phase where technical, manufacturing and market questions come together.
Applications are open until 17 August 2026, 11:59 CEST. Apply here.
What the programme offers
Five thematic sprint days
The core of the programme is five full-day, in-person sprint days at the accent Makerspace, focused on the key challenges you face when moving from prototype to production.
Experts guide you through each topic and help you apply the input directly to your own prototype.
The sprint days help you:
- Make smarter product decisions
- Catch critical challenges early
- Prepare your prototype for validation, manufacturability and scale-up
accent Makerspace access
You receive full access to the accent Makerspace in Tulln, Lower Austria, giving you the tools, space and facilities to continue working on your prototype and directly implement what you learn during the sprints.
Industry Connection Days
Through the Industry Connection Days, you visit manufacturing or testing environments in Austria and Slovakia, meet potential industry partners, validate assumptions and explore collaboration opportunities.
Mentoring
You are matched with business mentors who help sharpen your value proposition and empower you to take the necessary validation steps.
Peer exchange, visibility and ecosystem access
You connect with other tech startups, innovators and ecosystem partners — and have the opportunity to showcase your progress at Manufacturing Day Vienna.
Click here for insights from the first round of the programme.
Who should apply?
This programme is for startups and innovation teams developing physical products, devices, systems or enabling technologies with manufacturing potential (TRL 3–6).
If your prototype is past the idea stage but not yet ready for production, the Prototype to Industry Programme helps you turn open questions into concrete next steps towards production.
Information Session: 29 July, 10:00. To register, please contact Julia Bauer.
For more information, please contact Reka Dancsecs or Julia Bauer.
Project Partners: EIT Manufacturing East (EITM) (Lead-Partner), Slowakische Technische Universität Bratislava (STU), accent Inkubator, Industry meets Makers, Verein Industrie 4.0 Österreich – die Plattform für intelligente Produktion, Stadt Wien – Magistratabteilung 23, Slovak Alliance for Innovative Economy (SAPIE)
Strategic Partners: Capital of the Slovak Republic Bratislava (BA), Trnava self-governing region (TSK), Bratislava self-governing region (BSK), Technisches Museum Wien (TMW), Junior Achievement Austria (JA AT), Junior Achievement Slovakia (JA SK), Wirtschaftsagentur Burgenland (WAB), Impacthub Vienna (IHV), Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information (CVTI SR), Wirtschaftsagentur Wien (WAW)
Learn more on the project website
Explore the INTERREG SK-AT 2021-2027 programme website
Follow the project on linkedIn
See more details in the project catalogue