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

robert.gfrerer@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 88245808
www.linkedin.com/robertgfrerer
Portrait Robert Gfrerer
Welcome Note by the CEO
Anna Katholnig, MSc.

anna.katholnig@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 882 26 265
www.linkedin.com/annakatholnig
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
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
Eva-Maria Jobst, BA

eva.jobst@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 500 70 84
www.linkedin.com/evajobst
2015 – 2020 Alpen-Adria Adria Universität Klagenfurt, Media- and Communication Sciences
2010 – 2015 EUREGIO HTBLVA Ferlach, Industrial Design
My creative career began during my training at the Higher Technical Education Institute with a training focus on industrial design. In addition to drawing, drafting and designing, the education here was also on the training of graphic skills as well as the technical implementation of design projects with the help of model building.
Afterwards I’ve started my studies on media and communication sciences and strengthen at the same time my interest in film work. Through an internship at a film company I gained practical knowledge in the editorial work of various TV short films as well as in the production management of various other film projects. In addition to my skills in film production and postproduction, I’ve collected a lot of experience in DTP design, which I’m now using for Silicon Alps.
Work Experience
2018 – 2020 Five Elements Films
Elisabeth Berghold, BEd, MBA

elisabeth.berghold@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 88 22 62 67
www.linkedin.com/elisabethberghold
2019-2021 MBA Human Resource Management
2012-2015 BEd Pedagogics
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 concern 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, HR-Manager
2013-2014 – Perfektes GMBH, Co-Founder
2004-2014 – Moda Lisa, Founder
Dr. Manfred Hall

manfred.hall@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 88 22 62 54
www.linkedin.com/manfredhall
2005 – 2009 University of Graz
doctorate, Biology
During my education in the natural sciences at the University of Graz, I was able to gain my first experience in interdisciplinary cooperation at the IFZ. As the knowledge transfer representative of the University of Graz, the first accents as a networker were then set. Solution and cooperation partners from science for SMEs were sought – and found. I immersed myself in the world of clusters as part of my work at SFG: As a key account manager, my responsibilities were to oversee the mobility, food and human technology clusters. In the fields of electronics, measurement and control technology, I set impulses with initiatives such as the RFID Hotspot Styria or the event series “Digitaldialog”. A transition to the industry followed in order to learn more about a company’s everyday work, research, and related needs.
As a Strategic Business Development Manager, I can now bring my experience and network from science and business as well as my knowledge of “cluster business” to my daily work at Silicon Alps – to generate added value for our partners. True to the motto: cluster > prosper > conquer!
“The key to success is not information. It’s people.” (Lee Iacocca)
Work Experience
2016 – 2021 M&R Automation / PIA Automation Austria
2009 – 2016 Styrian Business Promotion Agency (SFG)
2003 – 2005 Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Technology, Work and Culture (IFZ)
DI (FH) Gernot Eder

gernot.eder@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 88 22 62 56
www.linkedin.com/gernoteder
2005 – 2009 University of Applied Sciences Graz, Health Care Engineering
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 Expierience
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

michael.zwantschko@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 88 22 62 52
www.linkedin.com/michaelzwantschko
2001 – 2006 Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
mag.rer.soc.oec. Betriebswirtschaft
2004-2005
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, MSc MSc

benjamin.rammel@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 92 80 429
www.linkedin.com/benjaminrammel
2017 – 2019 Karl-Franzens University Graz
Master’s degree: Industrial Ecology
2017 – 2019 Karl-Franzens University Graz
Master’s degree: Sustainability Management
2014 – 2017 Karl-Franzens University Graz
Bachelor’s degree: Environmental System Science
Specialization Business Administration
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 project manager for Innovation & Technology, 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 – ICN, Head of Sales & Business Development
2020-2021 – KELAG, Business Development
2019 – Hofer, Sales intern
2018 – Philips Austria, Environmental Support & Technical Purchaser
Olena Kost, BA

olena.kost@silicon-alps.at
+43 664 22 13 577
www.linkedin.com/olenakost
2018 – 2021 FH Kärnten
Bachelor: Intercultural Business Management
2016 – 2018 Juriy-Fedkowytcsch-Universität
Master: Germanistik
During my university years, I have managed to study German Translation, Journalism, and Intercultural business management and spent three exchange semesters in Austria, Romania, and the Netherlands. Austria took my heart, for this reason, my career development proceeded here. I have started as a student intern at the International Office of Fh Kärnten by organizing events and trips for international students.
As a Senior Manager of Demo Solutions, I have initiated B2B projects with Dior, MAC Cosmetics, and Pampers. At the moment, my position is Project Manager of Network/Events/Innovation in Silicon Alps. Furthermore, the core objective lies in networking and strengthening cooperation between partners in form of events.
Work Experience
2020-2021 – USP Indicator Solution, Senior Manager Demo Solutions
2020 – KWF, Office intern
2019-2020 – FH Kärnten, Student Assistant
Your contact person attends and guides you through the whole project. Supporting, experienced – smoothly!