Open innovation across Slovak-Austrian borders
The Twin City Future Innovation Manufacturing Hub is launching its pilot programme, supporting the cross-border version of a well-established open innovation format, Industry meets Makers.
On December 4th, 2025 the inspiring kick-off at the “The Spot” co-working space in Bratislava marked the start of five months of intensive co-creation around eight brand-new Future Tech Challenges.
Kicking off the co-creation process
Following the welcome from the host organisations and the IMM team, the people in the room took centre stage. These were representatives from companies, start-ups, research institutions, the maker community, students and developers, all of whom are keen to collaborate on future projects. After the challenge pitches, the floor belonged to the participants: in open discussion rounds and spontaneous small groups, ideas were sharpened, perspectives aligned, and potential collaborations explored.
What comes next
- eight brand-new Future Tech Challenges
- the start of five months of cross-border co-creation between Vienna & Bratislava
- a vibrant community of makers, industry partners & innovators in the making
With this kick-off, the anniversary year of Industry meets Makers has officially begun – and the coming months will show which ideas, prototypes and collaborations will emerge from the presented challenges.
‘In the end, one thing stands out above all: Thank you to everyone who made this 10th IMM kick-off in Bratislava possible – and to all who contribute their ideas, expertise and energy. We’re excited about the five months of co-creation ahead and can’t wait to see which future solutions will emerge from this first twin-city edition at the grand finale.’ – Sandra Stromberger, Founder and CEO, Industry meets Makers
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.
Audience 1
Audience
IMM The Spot
Jaro Bukovina 1
Jaro Bukovina 2
Sandra Stromberger
STU 1
STU
Markus Kleinfercher 1
Networking
The kick-off served as the starting point for many conversations, idea sketches and “What if…?” moments that will gradually turn into tangible outcomes. Those who could not attend the kick-off are warmly invited to join the ongoing activities nonetheless, whether as makers, challenge partners, or supporters!
Get connected
More information: contact@twincityhub.eu
A cross-border innovation bridge
The pilot programme is part of the Twin City Future Innovation Manufacturing Hub and is jointly developed and implemented by Industry meets Makers (Austria), EIT Manufacturing East (Austria), SAPIE-Slovak Alliance for Innovative Economy (Slovakia), Slovak University of Technology STU, SPECTRA Centre of Excellance (Slovakia).
It aims to strengthen cross-border collaboration between Austria and Slovakia.
