Founded in 1822 on charitable principles, Tiroler Sparkasse is the oldest financial institution in Tyrol. From its formation until today, it has always been operating under the premise of creating and ensuring prosperity for the entire region. Throughout the years Tiroler Sparkasse established itself as a modern and innovative full-service bank. With its state of the art online banking system George as well as Telebanking Pro, a business banking service for companies to provide individualized customer experience, Tiroler Sparkasse is adapting to rapid digitization without losing its traditional values.

The company and its subsidiaries employ over 492 highly trained and enthusiastic employees at 52 locations, which serve more than 153,000 customers in Innsbruck city and surrounding areas. With total assets exceeding € 3.85 billion, Tiroler Sparkasse is the paramount financial service provider for companies in Tyrol. Thus, we have a close connection to the Tyrolean economy – the businesses, the entrepreneurs, and their innovative ideas.

The I.E.C.T. – Hermann Hauser focuses particularly on research-based start-ups, especially in the deep-tech sector. Which technologies do you find particularly exciting for the Tiroler Sparkasse and also for your customers?

As a banking and financial partner of the Tyrolean economy, we obviously support with great respect the research and development of technologies and innovations that benefit and develop our customers and the business location. As part of the Erste Group, which has set new standards for online banking in Europe with George, Austria’s most modern bank, we are naturally also interested in developments in the fin-tech sector.

A survey of SME’s conducted by Tiroler Sparkasse has shown that established companies are increasingly keen to work with start-ups. What role does the Tiroler Sparkasse play in this and what picture of the future can you draw for the coming years?

We see ourselves as a network partner and interface between our customers and the start-ups. As a so-called outsider, who takes a different perspective from the point of view of numbers and finances, we are often able to discover synergies. Our role here is that of a mediator and that of an active promoter of the cooperation between client and start-up.

How does the Tiroler Sparkasse benefit from the cooperation with I.E.C.T. – Hermann Hauser and what synergies have already been achieved in the longstanding partnership?

The I.E.C.T. – Hermann Hauser offers us a deeper insight into the start-up scene. But the cooperation also enables a transfer of know-how to our employees. This is so important because this knowledge and basic understanding can also increase the sensitivity of our customers for the importance of innovation and cooperation. We have already held several employee events so far. The I.E.C.T. – Hermann Hauser also enables us to participate in exciting events on the subject of innovation and entrepreneurship. The Tiroler Sparkasse is also making an active contribution by offering the Fellowship Ticket for one participant at the I.E.C.T. – Summer School on Entrepreneurship.

The Tiroler Sparkasse will again be offering a Fellowship Ticket at the I.E.C.T. – Summer School this year. What does the ideal candidate for your Fellowship look like?

This year the answer is particularly easy: the ideal candidate has the solution to end the pandemic. But fun or desire aside. It would be presumptuous to set standards here. In the search for new, innovative ideas, one must not infer from oneself and one’s wishes. That would restrict all free thinking. Of course, we are always particularly pleased when a participant who has been accepted comes from the region. But that is not a condition either.

What goals do you want to achieve together with I.E.C.T. – Hermann Hauser in the coming years?

The original idea of bringing research and development as well as know-how to Tyrol with the I.E.C.T. – Hermann Hauser is more important than ever before. In our opinion, the development and establishment of cooperation between start-ups and companies is crucial for our future as an economic region. Because the current crisis shows us that we in Tyrol are very dependent on tourism. Therefore, we at the Tiroler Sparkasse see great potential in this cooperation.

Thank you for the interview!