XISTA science ventures expands its investment platform for deep-tech and life science innovation
XISTA science ventures continues to expand its investment platform for science-based entrepreneurship, now managing around €100 million across two funds. Building on the success of its first fund, XISTA is launching new investments through its second fund to turn breakthrough research into scalable ventures in life science innovation, with implications for the future of health and industrial technologies.
The ongoing fundraising for the second fund, anchored by the European Investment Fund (EIF) and supported by a strong base of private investors, underscores long-term confidence in Europe’s ability to translate scientific excellence into innovation and growth. EIF’s participation reflects the strength of a collaborative model that connects research institutions, public investment, and private capital to create a more integrated deep-tech ecosystem across Europe.
This year’s Nobel Prize in Economics awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their research on how innovation and technological change drive long-term economic growth reinforces this connection between science, entrepreneurship, and prosperity. As Nobel laureate Philippe Aghion observed, “technological leadership is the key factor of economic power.” That principle defines XISTA’s mission: to transform European scientific excellence into ventures that strengthen innovation-driven growth.
“Fund II comes at decisive times for Europe, as we see a new level of confidence in science-based entrepreneurship taking root,” said Florian Resch, Managing Partner at XISTA science ventures. “This commitment from our international and national investors shows trust not only in our model, but in Europe’s ability to turn research into global impact. Science-driven ventures can combine depth with resilience and create lasting value for society and the economy.”
“Our ambition is to strengthen European collaboration while giving coherence to Austria’s innovation landscape, which remains fragmented,” added Markus Wanko, Managing Partner at XISTA science ventures and General Manager of XISTA innovation. “XISTA connects research, venture creation, and capital in a way that aligns national and European strengths. Through the XISTA ecosystem — encompassing the fund, the science park, and the research base at ISTA, one of Europe’s leading institutions — we are creating a launchpad for science-based ventures that can grow and compete internationally.”
The first XISTA fund backed 21 startups and spin-offs from Austrian and European academic institutions, including Solgate, Prewave, Ribbon Biolabs, Valanx, Contextflow, and Syntropic. Together, these ventures have raised over €120 million in follow-on equity financing and secured additional public funding through programs such as EIC, FFG, and AWS. In total, more than 180 million in capital has been mobilized to advance science-driven innovation across Europe, the United States, and Asia. With new investments already underway, the next generation of XISTA portfolio companies will further strengthen Europe’s position in deep-tech, life science, and industrial innovation.
The XISTA team has recently expanded with the addition of Annu Gmeiner as Principal and Stephan Huber as Venture Partner for Fund II, strengthening the firm’s capacity to scale science-driven venture building and support its growing portfolio.
Situated within one of Europe’s most active research and innovation environments, XISTA operates alongside the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) and the XISTA science park, which provides specialized laboratory and office infrastructure for emerging ventures. Through close links to European programs such as EIF, EIC, EFRE, and ERC, XISTA demonstrates how public research investment and private capital can work together to translate scientific discovery into sustainable European innovation and economic growth.
