Company
Pioneer now.
We digitize your company’s success.
Whether AI, symbolic computing or digital twins, simulation or optimisation – RISC Software develops software products that you can rely on. Today and in the future. We have experience with the future. We are pioneers in the broad field of Approved Applied Algorithmic Intelligence, having embarked on this path more than 30 years ago. Our RISC Institute moved from the JKU campus to Hagenberg Castle in 1989. This was the starting point of a development that ultimately turned the tranquil town in the Mühlviertel region into the digital epicentre of the entire country.
We like to look back on this, but we like to look forward even more. We are among the European leaders in applied research and product development, from industry to medicine. This is one of the reasons why we attract young, talented IT experts. We need them too, because there are many challenges, especially in your sector. We are ready and will accompany you on your way.
Wolfgang Freiseisen
CEO RISC Software GmbH
Univ.-Prof. Dr. phil. Dr. h.c.mult. Bruno Buchberger
Founder RISC (Research Institute for Symbolic Computation) and RISC Software GmbH
Univ. Prof. Dr. Carsten Schneider
Chairman RISC
Facts
~100
Employees
- ~80 full-time equivalents
- 29% female, 71% male
- from ~10 countries
Growth since 2000
From 6 people in 2000 to around 100 today
~EUR 9M
Operating revenue 2026
- ~EUR 113,000 per full-time equivalent
- +22% since 2023 (EUR 7.4M)
Growth since 2015
Around EUR 9M expected for 2026
70 / 30
Industry and research
- ~70% industry projects without public funding
- ~30% publicly funded research projects
- ~20% with international partners
~30
Publications per year
- scientific publications
- 2025: 30 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 34
52%
Equity ratio
- solid and independent
- profits are reinvested in research
84
Cooperation partners
- 64 companies, 20 scientific partners
- 54 in Upper Austria, 22 in the rest of Austria, 6 in the EU, 2 worldwide
181
Participations
- in round tables, platforms and opinion boards
- 92 of them with a scientific audience
50
Training courses 2025
- internal and external training
- 2024: 65 · 2023: 57
30+
Years of customer relationships
- partnerships since 1993
- many customers for more than 20 years
2026 figures: forecast. Cooperation partners: as of 2025.
Approved Applied Algorithmic Intelligence – Success that lasts
When it comes to artificial intelligence, we think ahead. Approved Applied Algorithmic Intelligence is not just a buzzword for us, but a promise:
Based on human intelligence, we combine machine learning with symbolic computing and create well-founded AI solutions that offer real added value. This is what we mean by ‘Algorithmic Intelligence’.
Our intelligence is ‘Applied’ – that means our focus is on solving practical challenges that really help our customers move forward. With every project, we work on applications for a market that are immediately effective and at the same time fit seamlessly into existing systems.
And ‘Approved’? That’s our commitment to sustainability. Our solutions are not only effective, but also developed to be long-lasting, easy to maintain and able to grow with our customers’ requirements. This means that your company will still have its finger on the pulse tomorrow. Approved Applied Algorithmic Intelligence – digital progress that not only works today, but also in the future.
Owner
RISC Software GmbH is owned 80 % by the Johannes Kepler University Linz and 20 % by Upper Austrian Research GmbH (state of Upper Austria). The Supervisory Board of RISC Software GmbH is composed as follows:
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Mag.a Christiane Tusek
Johannes Kepler University Linz
Vice-rector for finances
Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Mag. Philipp Kienbauer
Upper Austrian Research GmbH
Chief Financial Officer
Member of the Supervisory Board
Univ. Prof. Dr. Carsten Schneider
Johannes Kepler University Linz
Chairman RISC Institute
RISC Institut
Our Milestones
1989
Foundation of a Software Development Working Group as part of the RISC.
1992
Founding under the name “Gödel School” Softwareentwicklung & Systemtechnik Gesellschaft mbH by Bruno Buchberger.
1995
RISC Software GmbH specializes in software for logistics and production planning.
2000
Launch of the cooperation with DS Automotion in the field of driverless transport systems. RISC Software GmbH has 6 employees.
2001
DI Wolfgang Freiseisen becomes Managing Director.
2003
The cooperation between Airbus and RISC Software GmbH starts.
2004
RISC Software becomes a subsidiary of JKU Linz.
2005
RISC Software wins the 3rd place at the Leonardo Award with the project “Crash Guard”, developed for WFL Millturn Technologies.
2006
RISC Software starts participation in the first EU project named PLATO-N.
RISC Software wins the ebiz egovernment award OÖ 2006 with the project “PISA” (IT System for Winter Services).
2008
The Unit Logistics Informatics wins the multimedia & e-business STATEPRIZE 2008 in the category: e-commerce and customer loyalty for Post.Versandmanmanager.Pro. Integration of Research Unit Medical Informatics and the involvement of Upper Austrian Research GmbH with 20%.
2009
The Unit Medical Informatics wins the Dr. Wolfgang Houska Prize with the project “SEE-KID”.
RISC Software wins the Genderaward from the BMVIT with the project “iWAVE” (Integrated Waggon Shipping Planning and Control).
2010
RISC Software GmbH is a founding member of the Austrian Center of Scientific Computing.
2011
The Unit Medical Informatics wins the GC Genius Award in the category of Research & Development with the project “YAMM”.
2012
Research Unit Medical Informatics wins MEDVIS 3D State Prize for Innovation for MEDVIS 3D. Start of the project ITS Austria West. RISC software has over 50 employees.
The Unit Logistics Informatics wins the 2012 Best of Initiative Mittelstand Award with the product “easy2sim”.
2013
The Unit Advanced Computing Technologies launches EU project: MrSymBioMath.
The Unit Logistics Informatics wins the elogistics Award with the project “Magna Logistics Planning Tool”.
2015
The “food4all @ home” research project of the Unit Logistics Informatics wins Spring Award of bmvit.
2016
With Virtual Aneurysm, the Research Unit Medical Informatics wins the State Prize for Innovations of the State of Upper Austria for the most radical innovation.
The Unit Logistics Informatics wins the Austrian Logistics Prize from the Network Logistics Association (VNL) with the project “Food4all@home”.
2017
RISC Software GmbH is the lead developer of the AI strategy for the State of Upper Austria. RISC celebrates Anniversary: 30 Years RISC Institute and 25 Years RISC Software GmbH.
2018
Launch of the RISC AI ACADEMY: Training courses and workshops on artificial intelligence for businesses.
2021
Foundation of Unit Domain-specific Applications
Relocation to Business Campus One at Softwarepark Hagenberg.
2022
RISC Software GmbH celebrates its 30th anniversary during the Ars Electronica Festival at JKU Linz and wins the ALC Award (Austria’s Leading Companies).
2023
The research department of Medical Informatics achieves second place in the State Prize for Innovations in the category of Research Institutions with the project “MEDUSA”.
2025
First RISC Pioneers Day.
The Logistics Informatics Unit becomes the Data Intelligence Unit.
Awarded the EcoVadis Bronze Medal for Sustainability.
2026
Certifications under ISO 27001 and ISO 9001, as well as the Diversity Management and berufundfamilie seals of approval.
RISC Software GmbH wins the Gold BBA Award in the category for companies with up to 149 employees.