The Austrian technology platform Photonics Austria was founded on the initiative of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK) in order to establish a strong presence at national and international level together with representatives from business and research and to promote the exchange between business, research and education. The main tasks of Photonics Austria are to develop and support national and international research strategies and programs and to promote networking with European photonic activities, as well as to offer national actors an exchange platform.