RISC Institute and RISC Software GmbH
Rooted in research. Built for practice.
RISC Software GmbH was founded in 1992 as a spin-off of the RISC Institute at Johannes Kepler University Linz.
The institute conducts basic research in computer mathematics and symbolic computation. We turn it into software that is used every day in companies, hospitals and public administration. This close connection gives our customers early access to new methods, delivered with the reliability of an experienced software company.
One place, three forces
At RISC in Hagenberg, research, teaching and application come together and inspire each other. This triangle of forces is still the foundation of our work today.
Research
The RISC Institute develops new mathematical methods and conducts basic research at an international level.
Teaching
JKU students at RISC receive an education that combines theory and application, often with theses and internships at our company.
Application
RISC Software GmbH turns the results into software for industry, medicine, logistics, energy and public administration.
How it all began
The Research Institute for Symbolic Computation (RISC) is an institute of Johannes Kepler University Linz and part of the Department of Mathematics in the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences.
At the same time, RISC is part of Softwarepark Hagenberg, which founding chairman Bruno Buchberger established around 1990. Its main location is the Bruno Buchberger Campus with Hagenberg Castle and the RISC extension building.
Milestones
1987
Bruno Buchberger founds the Research Institute for Symbolic Computation (RISC) at JKU Linz.
1989
RISC moves from the JKU campus to Hagenberg Castle.
1990
Around 1990, Bruno Buchberger founds Softwarepark Hagenberg.
1992
RISC Software GmbH is founded as a spin-off of the institute.
1999
Franz Winkler becomes chairman of RISC.
2009
Peter Paule becomes director of RISC.
2013
The RISC extension building by the pond opens.
2023
In October, Carsten Schneider becomes head of RISC.
Technology transfer that makes an impact
RISC Software GmbH combines algorithmic mathematics with modern software development. The result is tailor-made solutions, for example for diagnostic support and surgical planning in medicine, for production and energy in industry, for public administration and for complex questions in science.
The close cooperation with the institute bridges the gap between scientific research and business practice.
What is symbolic computation?
Symbolic computation is a branch of computer mathematics. It deals with the algorithmic processing of mathematical symbols that describe, for example, numbers or geometric objects. This makes it the heart of modern mathematics, closely linked to computer science and artificial intelligence.
Softwarepark Hagenberg
The RISC Institute is a founding member of Softwarepark Hagenberg. Bruno Buchberger’s vision was to bring science, business and education together in one place. RISC Software GmbH has been part of it since its foundation.
Joint projects
For many years, the institute and RISC Software GmbH have been conducting research together in national and European projects. In addition, there are joint bachelor’s, master’s and diploma theses as well as internships.
| Project | What it is about | Programme | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| TaxoLogic | Explainable hybrid AI for transfer pricing | FFG | 03/2026 to 02/2029 |
| InProSSA | Industrial problem solving with symbolic and subsymbolic AI | FFG | 05/2025 to 10/2026 |
| GRAPES | Learning, processing and optimising shapes | Horizon 2020 | 12/2019 to 11/2023 |
| SAGEX | Research on scattering amplitudes with international industry partners | Horizon 2020 | 09/2018 to 08/2022 |
| ARCADES | Algebraic representations of complex shapes in CAD | Horizon 2020 | 01/2016 to 01/2020 |
| HiggsTools | Investigating electroweak symmetry breaking | FP7 | 01/2014 to 12/2017 |
| Mr.SymBioMath | Symbolic computation and big data for comparative genomics | FP7 | 02/2013 to 01/2017 |
| PRACE-3IP | European infrastructure for high-performance computing | FP7 | 07/2012 to 06/2016 |
| LHCPHENONET | Particle phenomenology in the LHC era | FP7 | 01/2011 to 12/2014 |
The minds behind RISC
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
Head of RISC (Research Institute for Symbolic Computation)
Contact
Would you like to learn more about the collaboration between the RISC Institute and RISC Software GmbH, or write your thesis with us? Get in touch.