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IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems

IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems was established in 1994 and has since become a pioneer in the teaching and research of business, health, and life sciences. The IMC Career Center is a key pillar in this regard – putting students and companies in touch. Current and former students of the university can apply to develop ideas and business models as part of the Creative Pre-Incubator program.

Start your Business at IMC Krems

Do you want to take your innovative business idea to the next level? The Creative Pre-Incubator (CPI) supports students, alumni, and emplyees of IMC Krems in transforming early-stage ideas and concepts into viable business models.

What can you expect from the CPI?

  • Individual Support
    Our experienced project managers will guide you through the development of your business idea, help you refine your business model, and support you in taking the next steps toward launching your own startup.

  • Hands-on Workshops
    What does it take to build a startup? How do you develop a viable business model and identify the right target audience? Together with experienced experts, you will explore these and many other practical topics in our workshops.

  • Startup Network
    Connect with founders, investors, and innovation partners across Lower Austria, and benefit from the extensive networks of IMC and the Creative Pre-Incubator.

  • Free Participation
    Participation in the CPI is completely free of charge.

Application deadlines and key dates

Q&A

20.10.2026 (online)

Application deadline

Click here for the details

04.11.2026

Jury meeting

10.11.2026

Welcome session

17.11.2026

Other events in the CPI program

Below you can find an overview of all other events planned as part of the CPI program. The program also involves coaching sessions with project managers and networking events with teams from other universities, the dates for which are agreed on an individual basis. Workshops will be hosted in German or English depending on the program participants.

17.11.2026

Workshop

Business Model Design

TBA

Networking Event

21.01.2027 oder

26.01.2027

Workshop

Market Validation & AI

17.02.2027 oder

18.02.2027

Workshop

Team Organisation

08.03.2027

Workshop

Sales

15.03.2027 oder

16.03.2027

MIDTERM REVIEW

TBA

Networking Event

08.04.2027

Workshop

Intellectual property

14.04.2027 oder

15.04.2027

Workshop

Business Profitability

18.05.2027 oder

19.05.2027

Workshop

Pitch Training

25.05.2027

CPI DEMO DAY

Subject to change!

Ideation Playground and CPI start

The program kicks off with the Ideation Playground. A small group of around 20 students fine-tune their initial business ideas on a weekend in Autumn with the aim of successfully getting their startup off the ground – in theory at least. We then invite the participants that want to transform their idea into a fully-fledged business to apply for the Creative Pre-Incubator and pitch their idea to an expert jury.

The Creative Pre-Incubator® supports students, alumni and employees of IMC Krems in turning innovative ideas into viable business models. Each year, selected teams receive tailored support through individual coaching, hands-on workshops, valuable networking opportunities and guidance from experienced experts from the startup and innovation ecosystem. Participants gain the knowledge, skills and connections they need to successfully transform their ideas into successful businesses.

Gruppenfoto in Krems

CPI Success Stories from IMC Krems

DigiCust

The startup, founded in 2020, helps freight forwarders and companies digitalize and automate their customs clearance processes.

Using AI-powered solutions, customs documents are processed automatically, workflows are streamlined, and errors are reduced. This enables DigiCust to help companies save time and costs while significantly improving the efficiency of their customs operations.

Circly Team

Ordito / Circly

Founded in 2018, the startup initially developed Ordito, a digital menu solution for restaurants, which was successfully sold in 2020.

What started as a digital solution for the hospitality industry has evolved into Circly, a company that enables AI-powered demand and inventory planning for retail and manufacturing, using intelligent forecasting, automated planning processes, and data-driven recommendations.

Your CPI contact person at IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems

Martina Edhofer, MA

CPI coordinator

T: +43 2732 802 388
martina.edhofer@fh-krems.ac.at

More about the CPI at IMC UAS Krems

Application

If you would like to participate in the program, you can apply as a student, alumni or employee of IMC Krems right here by November 4th, 2026 for the Creative Pre-Incubator. Send us a short concept (max. 3 A4 pages) or your pitch deck (presentation slides)! Try to include answers to the following questions in your application, as far as possible at this stage:

  • What is your idea and how did it come about?

  • What's innovative about your idea?

  • How does it differ from existing products/services?

  • Which benefits does it offer customers?

  • What is the competition like?

  • What is the structure of your team? Which skills does your team possess, and which do you still need to gain?

Send your application!