The OIC on campus serves as a pivotal platform where academia meets business at the JKU. Launched in 2019 by former JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas, the interdisciplinary institution pools expertise in academia, science, and business under one roof to establish an innovative and entrepreneurial environment that supports innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Over the years, the OIC has become an integral part of the Upper Austrian innovation incubator network, home to Austria's largest university-based co-working facility with over 8,000 m² of space and 270 workstations, as well as the LIT Factory, a unique pilot factory where Austrian industrial companies work closely with university institutes at the JKU to refine and improve their machinery and equipment. In addition to harnessing the power of partnerships between the business and academic communities, the OIC's Entrepreneurship.Base provides young entrepreneurs with assistance and support services to launch their innovative business ideas.

Economist Elisabeth Ulbrich has been part of the Open Innovation Center team from the very beginning, returning from Vienna back to her hometown in Upper Austria to launch the center. She was involved at the OIC until her maternity leave in September 2023, initially as project manager and most recently as operational manager. After returning from her maternity leave, the Vice-Rectorate for Finance and Entrepreneurship named Ulbrich as Managing Director of OIC Ltd.

Ulbrich remarked: "After five years of progressive growth - and together with our highly motivated team - I look forward to managing the LIT Open Innovation Center and continuing to build bridges between academia and the business community together. We live and experience innovation every day at the OIC, be it by creating new technologies, supporting start-up companies, or working closely with companies and research institutions. I believe it is my responsibility to continue building on the OIC’s potential and firmly positioning it as one of Austria’s leading innovation centers. I would like to thank Vice-Rector Christiane Tusek in particular for her confidence in me, as well as former Vice-Rector Christopher Lindinger, a mentor and strong supporter over the past few years.”

Ulbrich's new role focuses on strategic development in line with the center's original concept of establishing new forms of partnerships between academia and the business community, as well as creating new initiatives designed to support student start-up companies and university spin-off companies.

The new Managing Director added, "We are faced with considerable social challenges ranging from digitalization and energy transition, to creating a more sustainable economy. In this regard, the OIC can - and should - play a pioneering role.”

The JKU considers Elisabeth Ulbrich's appointment an important step towards ensuring the LIT Open Innovation Center's continued success. JKU Vice-Rector Christiane Tusek is delighted with the appointment and remarked, "Elisabeth Ulbrich is an experienced, committed leader and the OIC will truly benefit with her at the helm. She possesses expertise and a strong understanding of issues at the crossroads of academia and business, making her ideal for this key position."

The OIC's new direction and future-oriented focus on innovation continues to set the tone in Upper Austria's innovation landscape, while simultaneously strengthening the JKU's role as a leading R&D hub.

About the LIT Open Innovation Center
Companies based at the OIC include Dynatrace, voestalpine, CANCOM, EREMA, and Borealis. The OIC works closely with the JKU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship and the state’s incubator tech2b to provide student start-up companies and university spin-off companies with a platform and ideal conditions to create - and ultimately launch - innovative ideas.

About Elisabeth Ulbrich
Born in Steyr (Upper Austria) in 1988, Elisabeth Ulbrich grew up in Waldneukirchen and currently resides in Linz. She earned a degree in economics at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, and she earned a degree in history at the University of Vienna. After five years of working at the Department of Public Relations and Financial Education at the Austrian National Bank, she joined the JKU in 2019, most recently as head of Operations at the LIT Open Innovation Center. After a one-year leave of absence, she was appointed as Managing Director on November 21, 2024.