2 Austrian Spin-outs selected for BII x XISTA Collaborative Venture Programme
Two Austrian science-driven startups, PureSurf and Apeiro Therapeutics, have been selected to join the Venture Lab programme of the BioInnovation Institute (BII) in Copenhagen in collaboration with XISTA. The companies were chosen following a rigorous selection process and are among only 17 early-stage, science-driven ventures admitted to the programme, considered one of Europe's leading platforms for translating research into globally competitive companies.
Through the collaboration between BII and XISTA, Austria's deep-tech innovation ecosystem centered at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), selected Austrian founders gain direct access to Denmark's renowned innovation ecosystem, established by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, while remaining deeply connected to Austria's growing deep-tech community. In addition to participation in the Venture Lab programme, companies selected through the collaboration are eligible to receive a €500,000 SAFE investment from XISTA Science Ventures and gain access to XISTA's expertise, infrastructure, entrepreneurial community at the XISTA Science Park and ISTA Campus.
Building a Science Innovation Bridge Between Denmark and Austria
The collaboration between BII and XISTA was announced at the end of 2025 with a shared aim to empower research-driven innovation capacity toward investment and scale, together, the partners aim to prepare high-potential startups for follow-on investment, international growth, and long-term impact.
Companies selected by XISTA and successfully admitted to the BII Venture Lab receive access to BII's knowledge, infrastructure and venture-building expertise to address early-stage technical and commercial risks, strengthen leadership capabilities and accelerate their path to market. At the same time, they gain access to the broader XISTA ecosystem, including €500,000 SAFE Investment from XISTA Science Ventures, access to the XISTA Science Park, high-tech facilities, a strong network of science founders and close links to the ISTA campus.
The company selection process and establishment of the collaboration was led by Prudence Donovan, Venture Partner at XISTA Science Ventures, whose work has been instrumental in creating new pathways for Austrian science founders to access leading European innovation hubs.
‘’PureSurf and Aperio Therapeutics exemplify the science-led companies Europe needs, ambitious teams translating outstanding research into solutions for two of the defining challenges of our time: planetary and human health. I am incredibly proud that XISTA Science Ventures is backing both companies and that, together with BII, we can offer a powerful combination of investment, venture-building expertise and international networks. This partnership is about helping exceptional founders move faster, think bigger and build companies capable of delivering impact on a global scale.”
~ Prudence Donovan, Venture Partner at XISTA Science Ventures.
The collaboration reflects a broader vision shared by both organisations: ensuring that Europe's world-class research is translated more effectively into companies capable of generating societal impact, economic value and global competitiveness.
“When you build a company based on advanced research, the path from a promising idea to a scalable business is rarely straightforward. It requires capital, but also the right competencies, partners and access to infrastructure. Our role is to bring these different elements together around the founders, so they can focus their time and energy on developing their technologies and building companies with international potential.”
~ Trine Bartholdy, Chief Business Officer at the BioInnovation Institute.
The Selected Companies
The selection of these two companies marks an important milestone for the BII x XISTA collaboration and demonstrates the growing strength of cross-border initiatives designed to help Europe's most promising research become globally relevant companies. The two academic spinouts address defining challenges of our time: planetary and human health.
PureSurf
PureSurf develops high-performance bio-based surfactants the chemical industry. The company’s technology combines renewable raw materials with European manufacturing to create more sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil-based surfactants, offering more efficacious and sustainable alternatives for home care, personal care and industrial applications. PureSurf is a spinout from the University of Graz and is supported through BII’s collaboration with XISTA in Austria.
BioInnovation Institute on XISTA backed company PureSurf:
“We are thrilled to support Pure Surf as it builds a new generation of green chemistry - producing surfactants and other household and industrial chemicals that match the performance and reliability of petrochemical alternatives, while offering a compelling cost advantage.”
Aperio Therapeutics
Aperio Therapeutics is developing an innovative biological treatment targeting diseases related to metabolic physiology. The company receives support through BII’s collaboration with XISTA in Austria and is founded by an alumnus of the XISTA and University Vienna led, Austrian biomedical incubation programme xbio.
BioInnovation Institute on XISTA backed company Aperio Therapeutics:
"Aperio Therapeutics stands out with a team bringing together clinical insight, biochemistry expertise and pharma background, combined with a striking biological hypothesis backed-up by observations from an investigator-led trial."
We are proud to back these exceptional teams and excited to support the next stage of their journeys. Special thanks to Prudence Donovan for driving this collaboration forward!
