Project goal
Project goal
Industry meets makers
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Industry meets Makers (IMM) is an open innovation initiative that connects leading industrial companies with creative minds from the maker scene – start-ups, SMEs, freelance developers, designers, students, researchers, hobbyists and more. Through real-world tech challenges (so-called “briefings”) in fields like AI, robotics, IoT and Industry 4.0, both sides co-create innovative solutions over a five-month collaboration phase, with the goal of launching lasting partnerships.
Learn more about how IMM bridges industry and innovation!
Our #IMM2025/26 Briefings
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#IMM2025/26 Program Overview
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We are currently celebrating the 10th anniversary of Industry meets Makers as part of our new Twin City Hub initiative. The anniversary program launched with an opening event in Bratislava on December 4, 2025, and will culminate in a Best of IMM showcase in Vienna on May 7, 2026. All of our challenge topics are already defined (see briefing overview). If you are interested in contributing or participating, we invite you to get in touch or register for the main events.
Upcoming Events
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Join us for our annual Future Tech Bootcamp from May 4 to 7, 2026 – with the first three days held in Hainburg, Salzburg, and online, and the grand finale on May 7 at Vienna City Hall.
Celebrate 10 years of “Best of Industry meets Makers” with us on May 7, 2026, at Vienna City Hall — and experience the innovative solutions created over the past few months.
Impressions of our #IMM2025 Kick-off in Bratislava
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In our event review of our #IMM2025 kick-off event in Bratislava on December 4, you can find a detailed summary including photos and video recordings of all presentations.
PARTICIPATION OPTIONS
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Industry & Tech Partners
Contribute a challenge brief (problem statement + rewards) for teams to tackle together, and/or provide enabling technologies and expert know-how needed to solve it.
Creative Makers & Innovators
Join as a maker to co-create solutions with experts and challenge partners. Time commitment is flexible thanks to our hop-on, hop-off program design. Vision: opportunities beyond the project.
Universities, UAS & Schools
Participate with student groups during the semester or via focused formats – bootcamps, beach camps, hackathons, etc. Activities can be integrated into the official curriculum where appropriate.
Tech Experts & Maker Coaches
Support teams with your domain expertise and help them shape projects for real-world implementation – e.g., financing and funding, startup formation, business modeling, industrialization, etc.
Local Network & Space Partners
Host IMM activities in your region: promote topics, members, services, and dates through your network, and provide nearby workspace and equipment to participants.
Sponsors, Supporters & Multipliers
Back IMM through sponsorship – financial contributions, prizes (jobs, products, tools, infrastructure, vouchers), media reach, refreshments or creative additions to maker incentive packages.
Impressions from previous years
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partner network
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Twin City Hub
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As of July 1, 2024, Industry meets Makers has become part of the Twin City Future Innovation Manufacturing Hub (2C FIMH) – a cross-border initiative aimed at driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and promoting sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector across Austria and Slovakia. The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within the Interreg Slovakia-Austria program Learn more
