Pfeifer Group Fellowship: Sponsoring the Future of Bio-Based Innovation

We're delighted to share that our esteemed partner Pfeifer Group is sponsoring a Fellowship for the I.E.C.T. – Summer School, demonstrating their dedication to innovation and sustainability.

The Pfeifer Group has a longstanding heritage of 70 years in transforming the wonderful raw material of wood into a diverse range of products. Their slogan, "Passion for timber," resonates their commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

The sponsored Fellowship through Pfeifer's Innovation Hub is centered around the bio-based materials/wood sector, aiming at the creation of new product features and substituting petroleum-based materials. This initiative arises from the critical need for sustainable solutions in a world grappling with decarbonization and resource scarcity.

Startups seeking to make a significant contribution in this domain are encouraged to apply to this Fellowship at the I.E.C.T. – Summer School. This presents a fantastic opportunity to join Pfeifer Group in their quest for sustainable innovation.

For more insights into Pfeifer Group's innovation journey, read the interview with Johannes Oberdanner , Head of Innovation at Pfeifer Group.

I.E.C.T.: Please give us an insight into Pfeifer.

Johannes: The Pfeifer Group is a family-owned company at its third generation and was founded by Barbara Pfeifer in 1948 after she has lost her man in war in 1945. With her three children she was facing the void in the Tyrolean town of Imst but her determination will was stronger than her stroke of faith. In 1948 she founded a custom cutting sawmill. During that time – and in a sector that was thoroughly dominated by men – it was a unique act of self-determination. Today, Pfeifer has grown to one of Europe’s leading companies in the wood sector with around 2.000 employees and more than 1 b. Revenue. We process 100 % of the raw material to products in the category’s timber construction, formwork products, pallet blocks and packaging timber, sawn timber, and energy material. Pfeifer is continuously developing its products and is always on the lookout for innovations – that is why we have created the innovation hub.

I.E.C.T.: What is the purpose of the innovation hub?

Johannes: Pfeifer has firmly anchored innovation in its overall strategy. A visible sign of this is the Innovation Hub founded in June 2021. With this, Pfeifer intends to form a “Timber Valley” in Tyrol and further expand innovation in the European wood industry in the coming years. In the Hub, we want to learn, explore, and engage with new technologies, startups and trends, identify potential and pursue it. The focus lies in the exploratory area – to extend the horizon, identify new business models and find partners. In summary, we want to establish a platform for interdisciplinary exchange concerning the potential of wood as a raw material of the future.

I.E.C.T.: Why do you want to be part of the I.E.C.T. – Summer School?

Johannes: I have always experienced the programme as very positive and observed that all stakeholders massively could benefit from it. Not only the participating companies and startups could gain advantages but also Tyrol could position itself as an innovative industrial location of the future. At the Summer School research and expertise is brought together from all over the world and the energetically charged environment engages everyone. At Pfeifer, we see the Summer School and our Fellow as the starting funnel for potential further collaborations.?

I.E.C.T.: How could a Pfeifer – Startup collaboration look?

Johannes: There are many possibilities – it really depends on each other’s needs. Starting from simply staying in contact and enrich the network, to providing office space in our Innovation Hub and supporting as a strategic Partner. In the future, we will also be able to provide Venture Capital Investments.

I.E.C.T.: What are the key aspects you look at Startups?

Johannes: For me, the founder is always the key to success. Having an entrepreneurial spirit or the openness to get someone in the team who has entrepreneurial expertise is a must. The success of the idea simply stands and falls with the team. Further, the defensibility and protection of an idea is also important.