Team Silicon Alps

We are looking forward to working with you as the team of the Silicon Alps Cluster. You may see the responsibilities of each team member and easily find your proper contact person. Our team is pleased to get in contact with you.

DI Dr. Robert Gfrerer, MPH

Managing Director and CEO

I have extensive experience as a Managing Director, most recently at the build! Startup Center in Klagenfurt. Before that, I served as the Managing Director of Ortner Reinraumtechnik GmbH and spent a decade in a managerial role for a cluster, specifically the Human.technology Styria GmbH. With my background in telematics and a doctorate in electrical engineering, I bring both academic knowledge and practical experience from the business and industrial sectors. Out of 40 applicants, I was chosen as the ideal candidate for the roles at the SILICON ALPS Cluster. My main focus is on initiating cooperative projects and fostering a culture of collaboration in the region. I firmly believe that networks and clusters are pivotal for innovations, economic success, and regional and corporate competitiveness. I’m eager to dive into industry-relevant project developments in the cluster and am particularly excited about collaborating with a strong, cross-state team.

Portrait Robert Gfrerer

Welcome Note by the CEO

Anna Katholnig, MSc.

2015 – 2019      Master of Science at Karl-Franzens University Graz Sustainability oriented management

2011 – 2015       Bachelor of Science at Karl-Franzens University Graz Environmental system sciences with economics as main area of focus

Executive Assistance

I did my studies at the Karl-Franzens University in Graz on sustainability oriented management, with operational environmental- , sustainability- and innovation-management as main areas of focus. During the finalization of my master thesis I started as a Trainee at Intel Austria GmbH. In this internationally operating company I worked as an accounting assistant and was responsible for the coordination of purchase orders and invoices. Furthermore I gained general experience in the areas of administrative support, finance and human resources.

Since July 2020 I am part of the Silicon Alps Cluster team as executive assistant.

 

Work Experience

2017 – 2020     Intel Austria GmbH

Elisabeth Berghold, BEd, MBA

2019-2021 MBA Human Resource Management

2012-2015 BEd Pedagogics

HR Development Manager

My occupational life started within the textile branch, there I learned what it means to be a founder. After developing my own brand further, I moved slowly into the adult education field and pedagogics. Thus brought me lately to the amazing area of human resource management and its exciting operations. I was working for a textile corporation as an operational HR-Manager, where I had to serve a specific sales area within Austria, Slovenia, Swiss and Turkey. As well I worked as an HR-Project-Manager globally and cooperate around organisational developments.

In Silicon Alps Cluster I am responsible for the HR Development of the region. My aim is to enhance the competitive advantages of the electronic based systems industry through strengthening HR.

 

Work Experience

2015-2020 – COS, Manager

2013-2014 – Perfektes GMBH, Co-Founder

2004-2014 – Moda Lisa, Founder

DI (FH) Gernot Eder

2005 – 2009 University of Applied Sciences Graz, Health Care Engineering

Business Development & Innovation Manager

After my studies as a Health Care Engineer – focusing on medical technologies and health informatics – at the University of Applied Sciences Graz, I made my first professional experiences at GS1 in Vienna. In the field of logistics, I have been involved in numerous projects with hospitals, medical technology and pharma companies. After my return to Graz, I was able to shape the field of medical technologies at the Human.technology Cluster as a business developer, pushing important topics such as sensor technologies, microelectronics or production technologies in the life science context on the national and international levels. With the foundation of nubid, I have been able to support numerous companies and start-ups in the field of medical technologies and digitization in expanding their business.

As Business Development and Innovation Manager I can perfectly use my experience and network from science and business to generate added value for our partners at the Silicon Alps Cluster. Especially in the context of sensor technologies and microelectronics, I will push the topics of start-up ecosystem and project development as well as internationalization.

“one plus one is more than two”

 

Work Experience

2019 – 2021 nubid GmbH, CEO & Co-Founder

2018 – 2019 SteadySense GmbH, Senior Manager Business Development

2012 – 2018 Human.technology Styria GmbH, Business Development MedTech

2010 – 2012 GS1 Austria GmbH, Project Manager Healthcare

Mag. Michael Zwantschko

2001 – 2006 Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
mag.rer.soc.oec. Betriebswirtschaft

2004-2005

Business Development & Innovation Manager

After finishing my master in business administration at the Karl-Franzens-University at Graz I started my professional career at an international operating automotive supplier where I gained a lot of experience in leading international project teams and working in an industrial area. As a Project & Business Development Manager I had the chance to evolve several projects in the renewable energy sector as well as in the engineering industry before I started my career as a Business Consultant for foreign direct investments.

As a Project Manager for Technology & Innovation within the Silicon Alps Cluster I use my network and my professional know-how about the business locations to develop projects, represent the eco system on an international level and connecting people for success.

 

Work Experience

2021 – 2022 Energetica Industries GmbH, Key Account Manager

2020 – 2021 Parental leave

2017 – 2020 BABEG – Carinthian Investment promotion agency, Head of International Investors Service

2016 – 2017 Jacques Lemans GmbH, Business Development Manager

2014 – 2015 Entwicklungsagentur Kärnten GmbH, International Investors Service

Benjamin Rammel, MMSc

2017 – 2019 Master’s degree:
Industrial Ecology

2017 – 2019 Master’s degree:
Sustainability Management

2014 – 2017 Bachelor’s degree:
Environmental System Science

Business Development & Innovation Manager

While doing my studies at the university of Graz on sustainable oriented management and Industrial Ecology, I work as a study assistant building bridges between students and the administrative system of the university. At the largest Energy Provider in Carinthia, I operated as the direct link to the wind power projects in Romania & Bulgaria, dealing with their economic development and stakeholder management. Within the IT-start-up I co-founded, I was dealing with the Key Account Management and the Public Relations.

Since April 2022 I am part of the Silicon Alps Cluster team as Business Development and Innovation Manager, where I want to build bridges within the Silicon Alps Cluster, strengthen the cooperation and exchange of information within our Stakeholders and initiate innovative projects.

“Good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity. And I think there is no bridge that cannot be build.”

 

Work Experience

2021 –  Business Consultant

2021 – 2022 ICN Software & Consulting, Head of Sales & Business Development

2020 – 2021 – KELAG, Business Development

2018 – 2019 University of Graz, Student assistant (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research)

Christina Seifried, MSc

2018- 2021 Karl-Franzens University Graz
Master’s degree: Business Education

2015 – 2018 Karl-Franzens University Graz
Bachelor’s degree: Business Administration

Project Manager Silicon Alps Peak Performer

During my studies at the university of Graz on Business Education I started to work at a small IT company as assistant to the management. Over the years, I developed towards project management in the areas of funding and HR. In addition I was responsible for project controlling and financial management. In my master’s thesis I dealt with the holistic sustainability approach in the school context.

Since January 2023 I am part of the Silicon Alps Cluster team, where I am responsible for our funding program Silicon Alps Peak Performer.

 

Work Experience

2019-2022 – chax.at, Project Manager Funding & HR

2018 – FH Joanneum, Student Administration

Mag. (FH) Tamara Schmölzer

2002- 2006 FH Technikum Kärnten
Master’s degree: Public Management

Marketing & Communication Manager

After my studies of Public Management at the Carinthian University of Applied Sciences I managed the EHS (Environment, Health & Safety) area of GE Healthcare in Upper Austria. When I returned to Carinthia I then switched to the fields of Marketing & Communications at Volksbank Kärnten and HIRSCH Armbänder.

 

Competitiveness, value creation, visibility, attractiveness and employment – these superior goals to which Silicon Alps is committed are so simple and at the same time complex. Therefore they fully appeal to me to use my commitment and my strengths for a better future. Since February 2023 I am responsible for Marketing & Communications within the Cluster.

 

 

Work Experience

2009-2023 – Hirsch, Corporate Marketing Communications Manager

2008-2009 – Volksbank, Marketing Manager

Quentin Weber-Seban, MA

2011- 2014 Sciences Po Lille / WWU Münster
Master’s degree: Europastudien

2008- 2011 Sciences Po Lille / WWU Münster
Bachelor’s degree: Europastudien

Project Manager Innovation & Technology

During my bachelor and master in European Studies at Sciences Po Lille (France) and at the University of Münster (Germany), I specialised in project management and funding. I then pursued this way during my professional career, notably for a charities union. By realising concrete projects, I helped rebuild and expand a regional network of organisations.

Lastly, I worked as funding officer for innovative projects at the IT company Prologue Group, and I gained an operational experience in the product management of a digital signature solution.

In May 2023, I joined the Silicon Alps Cluster team as a project manager for Innovation & Technology and will be mainly responsible for the Area of Excellence RFID & wireless Internet of Things.

 

 

Work Experience

2022 – API – Advanced Prologue Innovation, Product Owner

2020-2021 – Blockchain Secure, Business Developer

2019 – 2020 – PROLOGUE Group, Innovation and Funding Manager (Digital Identity)

2015 – 2018 – Uriopss Alsace, Social Projects Manager

Your contact person attends and guides you through the whole project. Supporting, experienced – smoothly!