We cross the finish line for the 10th time –
and you’re invited!
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Best of IMM | May 7, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. | Vienna City Hall
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After five months of intensive co-creation, we’re celebrating a major milestone: the 10th anniversary edition of Industry meets Makers. Join us in Vienna for our Best of IMM event, where participating industry leaders and makers will reflect on their journey – sharing what worked, what didn’t, and what it takes to build successful collaborations across diverse cultures and mindsets.
Everyone interested in innovation, collaboration, and future-making is warmly invited.
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What to expect
Groundbreaking results from the 10th IMM round.
Behind-the-scenes insights into real-world co-creation.
Direct interaction with innovators and industry partners.
Drinks, snacks and lots of inspiration.
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Program Sneak Peek
4:00–4:15 p.m. – Guest arrival
4:15–4:30 p.m. – Welcome by organizers and supporters
4:30–6:00 p.m. – Project results pitches
6:00–8:00 p.m. – Mingling and networking with the community
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Important to know
The event will take place at the Vienna City Hall.
For guests from Slovakia, a shuttle service from Bratislava to Vienna will be available.
The Best of IMM is part of our new cross-border Twin City Hub initiative.
First Speakers
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Supporters
Eva Czernohorszky
Vienna Business Agency
Head of Life Sciences, Circular Economies & Talents
LinkedIn
Nilufar Mokhtari
EU Förderagentur
Programme Coordinator & Programme Manager
Interreg Slovakia Austria
LinkedIn
Prof. Franz Fidler
University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten
Head of Faculty
LinkedIn
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Briefing Partners
Marek Drnzík
BeKa Software
Branch Manager Slovakia LinkedIn
Zuzana Šefčík Aschenbrennerová
City of Bratislava
Digital Twin Coordinator
LinkedIn
Peter Beňo
City of Bratislava
AI Solutions Support Officer
Susanne Formanek
GRÜNSTATTGRAU and RENOWAVE
Board of Directors and
Co-Founder
LinkedIn
Elisabeth Leitner
GRÜNSTATTGRAU
Project Management
LinkedIn
Milan Botka
Slovak Centre for Productivity
Executive Director
LinkedIn
Clemens Mayer
smander.com
Founder and Manager
LinkedIn
Patrick Awart
IoT Austria & Mariahilfer i
President
LinkedIn
Organizers
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Sandra Stromberger, Founder & CEO, Industry meets Makers, LinkedIn
Markus Kleinfercher, Senior Project Manager, Twin City Hub, EIT Manufacturing East, LinkedIn
Peter Kuen
EIT Manufacturing East
Twin City Hub
Manager Austria & Government Relations
LinkedIn
Katarina Bendikova, Project Management, Twin City Hub, EIT Manufacturing East, LinkedIn
Michal Číž, Program Director, SAPIE - Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy, LinkedIn
Jaroslav Bukovina
SAPIE - Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy
Innovation Policy Expert
LinkedIn
Assoc. Prof. Milan Husar, PhD
Spectra Centre of Excellence of the EU, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava,
LinkedIn
Assoc prof. Matej Jaššo, PhD, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, LinkedIn
Daniel Paunovic
EIT Manufacturing East
Twin City Hub
Business Development and Innovation Manager
LinkedIn
Michael Schwantzer
Vienna Business Agency
Technology Expert for Production and Manufacturing Technologies
LinkedIn
Réka Dancsecs
accent Incubator
Project Manager
LinkedIn
Denise Branz
Platform Industry 4.0
Senior Project Manager
LinkedIn
Our #IMM2025/26 partners
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Briefing Partners
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TWIN CITY HUB Project Partners
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Co-Organizers & Network Partners
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