From Research to Production

Industrial innovation rarely happens overnight.

The Austrian PHÖNIX Startup Award honors companies that successfully translate scientific research into marketable solutions. In 2026, Moldsonics received the award in the spin-off category.

The origins of this development date back to 2009, when Dr. Bernhard Praher began his initial research. In 2021, Moldsonics GmbH was finally founded by DI Dr. Bernhard Praher and Dr. Thomas Mitterlehner and DI Dr. Klaus Straka .

The journey from research to industrial application took many years and numerous iterations.

 © Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH/APA Photo Service

Production Reality

Translating research into production is a challenging process.

Production facilities operate around the clock. Processes vary. Stability is crucial.

What works in the lab must prove itself in real-world operations—during tool changes, material variations, and shift work.

From concept to production solution

The industrialization of a technology takes place in many stages.

The first working version took over a year to develop. This was followed by numerous iterations, tests, and adjustments until a stable production solution was achieved.

This part of the innovation process often goes unnoticed.

What's changing with Moldsonics

Today, Moldsonics focuses on three key production areas:

• Wear Monitoring inExtrusion Processes
• Accurate cooling time determinationin plastic injection molding
• Reduced heating time in silicone and rubber processing

The goal is always the same: Save seconds. Prevent downtime. Avoid scrap.

The PHÖNIX Award recognizes companies that have successfully bridged the gap between research and industrial application.

For Moldsonics, the award marks an important milestone—and at the same time underscores the company’s clear focus on the areas of production where the greatest impact can be made today.

 © Austria Wirtschaftsservice GmbH/APA Photo Service

The Austrian Startup Award PHÖNIX is awarded on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy, and Tourism and the Federal Ministry for Women, Science, and Research . The award is organized by the Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) in cooperation with the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).

In plastics manufacturing, many critical aspects of the process remain invisible. Material behavior varies from batch to batch, wear develops gradually, and cycle parameters are often selected conservatively.

For manufacturing companies, this means uncertainty and a loss of efficiency.

Modern manufacturing therefore requires one thing above all else: greater transparency in the process itself.

Award at the 2025 Young Entrepreneur Awards

Winning the 2025 Young Entrepreneur Award is a major milestone for Moldsonics.

Above all, however, it highlights a fundamental trend in modern manufacturing: production processes are becoming increasingly measurable and transparent.

And when processes become measurable, the result is more stable, efficient, and resource-efficient production workflows.

We are very pleased: Moldsonics has been awarded the EDISON Changemaker Award 2025 - a special prize for young technologies that have the potential to change the industry in the long term.

The Changemaker is a separate category within the EDISON ideas competition - awarded by tech2b in cooperation with the WKO Upper Austria. Unlike other categories such as Greentech, Hightech or Medtech, it is not possible to apply directly for the Changemaker. The award goes to the project that the jury considers to have the the greatest market potential and the strongest appeal. and the strongest appeal.

Why Moldsonics?

Our ultrasonic sensors measure important quality parameters such as flow behavior, solidification or wear - without contact and directly in the injection moulding process. In this way, we help to avoid rejects, save energy and make processes more stable - especially where skilled workers are in short supply and efficiency counts.

This is not a solution for the moment - this is technology that changes processes permanently.

"We have built something that has a deep impact on industrial processes - not a short-term solution, but in-depth technology for the industry of tomorrow.

Why this price counts

The EDISON Award is more than just an award. In a multi-stage process, ideas are not only evaluated, but also developed further: through coaching, business planning and strategic consulting. Those who are selected as changemakers are not only convincing in terms of technology - but also in terms of impact, relevance and feasibility.

We would like to thank tech2b, the Upper Austrian Chamber of Commerce and the jury for this recognition. And to everyone who is working with us on this vision - critically, creatively and with vision.

We are not at our destination - but at a very good starting point.

https://www.edison-der-preis.at/