Firms

XISTA Science Ventures

XISTA Science Ventures

xista.vcist-cube.com

XISTA Science Ventures is an Austrian venture capital firm investing in early-stage science-based companies across life sciences, AI, digital technology and industrial deep tech. Formerly known as IST cube, it is part of the innovation ecosystem around the Institute of Science and Technology Austria in Klosterneuburg. The venture investment firm is distinct from XISTA’s technology-transfer organization and science park. Its portfolio includes AI model-compression company Ora Computing and neuroscience companies Syntropic Medical, Neurolentech and Solgate. Markus Wanko and Florian Resch are managing partners. The firm reports EUR96 million under management across two venture funds; its first fund raised EUR45 million in 2021. Public portfolio listings include retired companies and require separate review of each company’s current status.

Founded
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Type
Venture capital

Funds2

  • XISTA Science Ventures Fund II—

    Second XISTA science venture fund investing in European science-based deep-tech and life-science startups and academic spin-offs. The manager confirmed raising Fund II in its December 2024 update, and transaction counsel announced a second close exceeding EUR 50 million on 20 February 2026. Exact total commitments remain undisclosed; EUR 50 million is a lower bound. Fundraising was stated to continue through the end of 2026. The manager’s roughly EUR 100 million across two funds is not the size of Fund II.

  • XISTA Science Ventures Fund I€45M

    First science venture fund, formerly IST cube. ISTA’s April 2023 announcement reports EUR45 million raised in 2021. Exact closing day is not asserted.

Team

Operations and support

Alexander FischlAlexander FischlIT Operations & Community Manager
Alexander SchwartzAlexander SchwartzPartner
Annu GmeinerAnnu GmeinerPrincipal
Erich TauberErich TauberOperating Partner
Florian ReschFlorian ReschManaging Partner
Ingrid KellyIngrid KellyPartner
Markus WankoMarkus WankoManaging Partner
Melanie LeisserMelanie LeisserFund Administration
Sophia HannesSophia HannesCommunications & Events
Stephan HuberStephan HuberVenture Partner
Valentina CaradonioValentina CaradonioFund Controller

Co-investing

Investments