In an interview with #schongenial, Christian Matzinger, Managing Director of KGG UBG, explains how his organisation not only provides financial support to start-ups, business transferees and small companies, but also recognises the courage that entrepreneurship requires. After all, those who build something create far more than economic success: they strengthen regions, bring innovation to the country - and take responsibility.
#schongenial: Mr Matzinger, KGG UBG is expressly committed to entrepreneurs - what does that mean in concrete terms for individuals and regions?
Christian Matzinger: Anyone who founds or takes over a company is usually not just doing it for themselves. Entrepreneurs create jobs, develop new products and services and often maintain the economic infrastructure in places where others are moving away. In times of change - whether technological, ecological or social - they are crucial drivers of stability and progress. This is precisely why we see entrepreneurship as a social resource that we want to actively strengthen.
#schongenial: What specific support do you offer entrepreneurs?
Christian Matzinger: Our task is to accompany entrepreneurs on their journey - with capital, expertise and a genuine understanding of the challenges they face.
In concrete terms, that means
- With the Upper Austrian Start-up Fund, we offer fair and flexible financing solutions for anyone who wants to start a business but does not yet have a long banking history.
- By providing guarantees and equity investments, we also enable loans to be granted when traditional banks alone would not take the risk - because we don't just look at numbers, but at potential.
#schongenial: What motivates you and your team in this work?
Christian Matzinger: I am inspired by the pioneering spirit with which young entrepreneurs create something new - and often take on social responsibility in the process. Their ideas bring regions to life, promote Upper Austria as a business location and enable an economically and socially stable future. This deserves more than applause - it deserves active support.
#schongenial: You mentioned "courage" at the beginning - why?
Christian Matzinger: Because courage is the beginning of everything. Anyone who founds or takes over a company is taking a risk - often with private funds, passion and a great deal of commitment. Taking this step is a real social statement. If we support this courage not only financially, but also with appreciation and advice, we are making an important contribution to a sustainable, resilient society.
#schongenial: How would you summarise KGG UBG's self-image in one sentence?
Christian Matzinger: We see entrepreneurship not just as a business concept, but as an attitude: taking responsibility, realising ideas, taking others with you - and that's exactly what we promote at KGG UBG.
We think this is #schongenial, because entrepreneurs need not only ideas and courage, but also a tailwind.
