IMC Krems is the only Austrian higher education institution represented in the Munich Impact Ranking 2026 in the DACH Top 20 category “Employment at Startups Linked to Academic Institutions (Relative)”. The ranking highlights what has distinguished the institution for many years: a strong entrepreneurial culture and a commitment to fostering entrepreneurship as part of its educational mission.
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IMC Krems: Austria’s only higher education institution in the DACH Top 20 for startup employment
The ranking analyses the entrepreneurial impact of higher education institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In the category “Employment at Startups Linked to Academic Institutions (Relative)”, the number of employees working in startups associated with a higher education institution is measured relative to the size of that institution. IMC Krems achieved 14th place, with 726 employees in startups per 1,000 students, demonstrating the strong links between IMC Krems and the startup ecosystem.
From startup to higher education institution
The high importance placed on entrepreneurship at IMC Krems is no coincidence. The institution itself emerged from an entrepreneurial idea and has continuously evolved through innovative educational offerings, international perspectives and a strong focus on practical application.
"IMC Krems was once a startup itself. This entrepreneurial mindset continues to guide us today and shapes our understanding of what a higher education institution can be. It is not only about imparting knowledge but also about empowering people to develop ideas, recognise opportunities and turn them into something new," says Ulrike Prommer, CEO of IMC Krems.
Entrepreneurship as part of the institution’s profile
This entrepreneurial heritage is also reflected in the degree portfolio. With its English-taught StartUp Management bachelor degree programme, IMC Krems has created a degree specifically designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and action. Students develop their own business ideas, work on business models, learn from entrepreneurs and put their ideas into practice, from the initial concept through to implementation and scaling.
Students in the part-time Unternehmensführung und Digitales Management bachelor degree programme also acquire the skills required for entrepreneurial activity in an increasingly digital economy. These include developing new business models, innovation management, and combining business expertise with digital technologies.
"Entrepreneurship thrives on people who recognise opportunities and turn ideas into action. These are precisely the skills we foster in our degree programmes. The fact that IMC Krems is the only Austrian higher education institution represented in this DACH-wide Top 20 ranking demonstrates that our graduates are successfully taking on responsibility and making an impact," emphasises Tanja Ihden, Head of the StartUp Management bachelor degree programme.
From entrepreneurial roots to a thriving startup ecosystem
The Munich Impact Ranking results confirm a path that IMC Krems has been pursuing for many years. The integration of education, practical experience, innovation and entrepreneurship is part of the institution’s identity. The high number of employees working in startups demonstrates that this approach creates an impact that extends well beyond the institution itself.
"Startups and entrepreneurial thinking are not simply a trend for us. They are part of our history, our present and our future," says Prommer.
About the Munich Impact Ranking
The Munich Impact Ranking is an independent, data-driven higher education ranking developed by researchers at the Technical University of Munich. It examines the entrepreneurial impact of higher education institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland using a range of indicators, including startup creation, employment effects and funding success. The ranking considers startups founded between 2014 and 2024.