The World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Global Innovation Index has placed Austria 7th worldwide in Gross Expenditure on Research & Development (R&D) as a percentage of GDP.

The high ranking underscores Austria's status as a leading European hub for tech validation, deep-tech research, and green innovation, backed by accessible public founder grants from agencies like the FFG and aws PreSeed that allow startups to build prototypes without early equity dilution.