RISC Institute and RISC Software GmbH
RISC Software GmbH was founded as a spin-off of the RISC Institute of the JKU. While the institute conducts basic research, the GmbH translates this into practical software solutions and industrial applications.
RISC – Research, teaching and applications combined in one place
The RISC in Hagenberg combines research, teaching and applications in a unique triangle of strengths in which these three areas inspire and stimulate each other. This close interaction creates a dynamic environment that combines scientific excellence with practical innovation.
RISC Institute: basic research and teaching at the highest level
The RISC Institute is an internationally recognized center for basic research and teaching in the field of computer mathematics and symbolic computing. Complex mathematical problems are investigated here and innovative approaches are developed that open up new paths in science. Students benefit from a practical education that combines theory and application and are thus optimally prepared for the challenges of the future.
RISC – How it all began
The Research Institute for Symbolic Computing (RISC) is an institute of the Johannes Kepler University (JKU) in Linz, Austria. The RISC is part of the Department of Mathematics at the JKU Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (TNF). On the other hand, the RISC is part of the Softwarepark Hagenberg, an innovative center for research, teaching and industrial cooperation with a focus on “software”, which was founded around 1990 by Bruno Buchberger, the founding chairman of the RISC.
From 1999 to 2009, the Chairman of the RISC was Franz Winkler, from 2009 to 2023 the Director of the RISC was Peter Paule and since October 2023 the Institute Director of the RISC has been Carsten Schneider.
The main location of the RISC is the Bruno Buchberger Campus in the Hagenberg Software Park, which consists of two main buildings, the medieval Hagenberg Castle and, since 2013, the RISC extension building near the pond.
Image 1: Hagenberg Castle Image 2: New RISC building, Image 3: Castle ruins (1975)
RISC Software GmbH: Innovation through technology transfer
RISC Software GmbH puts the results of research into practice. It develops customized software solutions and works on applied research projects that combine algorithmic mathematics and modern software technologies. The areas of application are diverse, including medicine (e.g. diagnostic support, operation preparation), industry (e.g. production, energy), in many areas of the economy, but also in science (support in solving complex problems, e.g. in particle physics) and administration (increasing efficiency through digitization)
The close cooperation between the RISC Institute and RISC Software GmbH creates a bridge between scientific research and business practice. Together, technologies are developed that not only advance science, but also offer real added value for society and the economy.
The Hagenberg Software Park
The RISC Institute is a founding member of the Softwarepark Hagenberg, which was initiated by Bruno Buchberger. His vision was to unite science, business and research in one location. RISC Software GmbH has been part of this location since its foundation.
What is symbolic calculation
Symbolic computation is a branch of computer mathematics and deals with the algorithmic processing of mathematical symbols that describe, for example, numbers or geometric objects. Today’s advanced mathematics relies heavily on symbolic representations. Symbolic arithmetic is therefore at the heart of modern mathematics. Symbolic computing also has numerous links to computer science and artificial intelligence.
Joint projects
| Project name | Runtime | Supporting program | Brief description | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InProSSa | 05/2025-10/2026 | FFG | Industrial problem solving using symbolic and subsymbolic AI | FFG project database Reference project description |
| GRAPES | 12/2019-11/2023 | H2020 | Learning, processing and optimizing shapes | GRAPES Website |
| SAGEX | 09/2018-08/2022 | H2020 | Consortium bringing together international researchers in the field of amplitude scattering with world-leading industrial partners | SAGEX Website |
| HiggsTools | 01/2014-12/2017 | FP7 | The research objective of HiggsTools is the investigation of electroweak symmetry breaking. | CORDIS |
| ARCADES | 01/2016-01/2020 | H2020 | Algebraic Representations in Computer-Aided Design for complEx Shapes | CORDIS |
| Mr.SymBioMath | 02/2013-01/2017 | FP7 | High Performance, Cloud and Symbolic Computing in Big-Data problems applied to mathematical modeling of Comparative Genomics | CORDIS |
| PRACE-3IP | 07/2012-06/2016 | FP7 | PRACE – Third Implementation Phase Project | CORDIS |
| LHCPHENONET | 01/2011-12/2014 | FP7 | Advanced Particle Phenomenology in the LHC era | CORDIS |
Joint Bachelor’s, Master’s and diploma theses and internships
DI Wolfgang Freiseisen
Managing Director RISC Software GmbH
Univ.-Prof. Dr. phil. Dr. h.c.mult. Bruno Buchberger
Founder of RISC (Research Institute for Symbolic Computation) and RISC Software GmbH
Univ. Prof. Dr. Carsten Schneider
Director of the RISC (Research Institute for Symbolic Computation)