About US
We develop projects that make a difference — for organisations, society and the planet. RTDS Group is Austria’s leading consultancy to develop, implement and manage EU funded research and innovation projects. Our goal is to enable creativity by bundling sustainability, technology and societal objectives.
The RTDS mission is to support scientists and innovators to move research and technology from the lab to the market. We complement your specific knowledge with broader socio-economic aspects required for success and eventual uptake of your results.
RTDS does not perform research. We take care of all the non-technical aspects of EU-funded research and innovation projects. The researchers focus on research, and the companies can develop their products and services. We take care of the rest. Everyone does what they are best at.
Company History
- 1996
Early days
RTDS founder Stephen Webb manages his first EU project with a Styrian SME in FP4 on IT tools to quantify industrial environmental performance. Subsequently in FP5, he begins consulting with AVL List, the world’s largest private engine developer, on vehicle emission reduction projects.
- 2003
First employees
RTDS (formally known as RTDS Services) becomes the first Austrian EU project consultancy. Based in Vienna, RTDS mainly serves universities and local companies. Its first project participation in FP6 includes launching the largest food safety standards project with €12.3 million budget.
- 2007
First recognition
RTDS expands with 15 FP7 project participations, three of which are in the role as coordinator. The Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Research confirms RTDS as the No. 1 Austrian SME in FP7 and third in all Austrian companies behind AVL List and Infineon.
- 2014
Growth course
RTDS Group is established as two legal entities: RTDS e.U. for project development and consulting and non-profit RTDS Association for project implementation. RTDS is set to grow with extended IPR skills and exploitation as a strength. Project participation in H2020 and BBI increases year to year.
- 2020
Success confirmed
With ten H2020 project participations — with five as coordinator, and eight as Work Package leader for DEC — RTDS is recognised as the top EU consulting company in Austria and is well known throughout Europe. RTDS coordinates the only three Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI-JU) projects led in Austria.
With Horizon Europe in sight, RTDS Group is a truly European consultancy with over 10 nationalities and eight languages spoken fluently. At this point, RTDS has developed and implemented more EU funded projects in Austria than any other SME consultancy.
What others say about us
RTDS have proven to reliable, highly informed experts in EU funding matters. I can highly recommend them as H2020 consultants and project managers, taking care of both administrative and sensitive IP issues from project conception through to implementation.

I enjoyed working with RTDS on a BBI-JU proposal which was recently approved! Their expertise in project management and EU funding were crucial to bring our project idea to life and put together a winning proposal.

RTDS have recently run two H2020 Impact Workshops with our researchers and grants office staff. Stephen, with his hands on approach, competently presents and brings to life concepts of stakeholder analysis, business models and value chains to help researchers better understand business perspectives essential for successful H2020 project proposals. Fully recommendable for higher success rates!

I have worked with RTDS for some years on EU proposals and my staff have attended their H2020 Impact workshops. Their professionalism and ability to integrate our research with industry needs was key to success in our recently approved Innovation Action. With RTDS, we have a competent partner for both Horizon proposals, training and H2020 project coordination!

RTDS delivered great support for development of the SUSFERT Horizon 2020 project. Starting with building of the consortium, filing in the proposal and coordinating the work among the partners. As a consortium member we benefit a lot from their experience and professional handling of the whole project, which was approved in May 2018.

Our areas
More than 15 Years
of Experience
We work with ambitious leaders who want their future to be successful and help them achieve extraordinary outcomes.
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Our mission
Going beyond the societal challenges of Horizon 2020, the mission-oriented research & innovation (R&I) initiatives are coined to be at the core of the next framework programme: Horizon Europe.
Transformative initiatives should address concrete societal or economic problems experienced by all stakeholders including citizens, thus mission-oriented R&I initiatives require legitimacy and endorsement by the various stakeholders.
On the other hand, research initiatives should be oriented towards faster scientific and technological impact.

Our team
The multidisciplinary RTDS team in Vienna covers a range of technical & social sciences, engineering, IP law & business administration, marketing & innovation, journalism and public relations, as well as graphics, illustration and website design.

Dr. Stephen Webb MBA, LLM (IPR)
Stephen has degrees in engineering, business and most recently law, having completed the LL.M programme in Intellectual Property Rights at the University of Turin in 2013. He completed his PhD from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) as a researcher within a FP6 project. Commencing his first project in FP4 more than 20 years ago, Stephen is a recognised expert in EU projects, both in Austria and across Europe. He is a regular conference speaker and a Panel Vice Chair for H2020 evaluations for the European Commission.

MIKAEL MUEGGE, BA
Mike has a Bachelor degree (Hons) in Business Economics & Organisational Studies from University of Reading, UK. He has 25 years of business development experience bringing numerous consumer brands to regional and international markets, emerging market strategic consulting, private equity and strategic investment advisory. In his role at RTDS, he supports ongoing projects and proposals with both conceptual and practical business and marketing plan development.

Roxana Weiss-Anton, MSc
Roxana received her Master of Science degree in Petroleum Technology and Crude Oil Chemistry and has 20+ years’ experience in project management and product development in various industries. At RTDS she is managing several research projects and consults in proposal writing, while supporting the team on controlling and strategic planning activities.

Ana F Povh, uni.dipl.prav
Ana holds a legal degree (UM) with a European union Law specialisation (VUB). She is working on EU projects since 2014 with a focus on research, innovation & SME-led actions and is a Jean-Claude Juncker scholarship laureate. At RTDS she is managing the FNS-Cloud project and led DEC WP of H2020 PEAKapp project.

LUIS RODRIGUES, LLM (IPR)
Luis holds and LLM from the University of Turin and the WIPO Academy, and is a legal expert leading tasks on IP, innovation and data management. Luis ensures the adequate exploitation of IP and research data including the negotiation of Consortium Agreements and Technology Transfer Agreements (TTA). Since FP7 in, he has been involved in more than 21 projects . He’s also an invited expert to the EC’s Horizon IP Scan project, and conducts trainings on IP and Innovation Management and participates in conferences across Europe and Latin America.

Filoklis Pileidis, MSC
Filoklis holds a degree in Chemistry (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) with postgraduate studies in Green Chemistry, Sustainable Industrial Technologies and Materials Sciences (University of York and Queen Mary University of London). He has over 10 years’ experience in the fields of biobased economy and biorefineries. At RTDS, he is responsible for ongoing projects in dissemination, exploitation, communication activities, project management and supports proposal writing.

Mag. Marianne Webb
Marianne has a degree in sport sciences and a postgraduate marketing diploma (Vienna University of Economics and Business). She has over 10 years’ experience in health and pharmaceutical management and marketing. At RTDS she is business administrator and graphic designer for logos, newsletters and printed material layout.

David Donnerer, MA
David holds a BA in Journalism and Media Management from the FH Vienna University of Applied Sciences and an MA in International Studies from Aarhus University. He is also a certified PMI project manager and has +5 years of experience in working as freelance journalist for various Austrian and European media outlets. At RTDS, he is responsible for dissemination, exploitation, communication and project management activities.

PHILIPPA WEBB-MUEGGE, BA
Philippa has a Bachelor of Arts and Commerce, Journalism and Public Relations, with 20+ years’ experience working in communication and media relations, including international organisations. With a news, speechwriting and editorial background, her strength lies in communicating research results to a wider audience. At RTDS she is responsible for project communication and dissemination.

Dr. Daniela Fichtenbauer
Daniela holds a PhD in Biology with a focus on plant genetics from the University of Vienna. Before joining RTDS she worked for the editorial office of the publishing company Wiley. At RTDS Group she is a project and dissemination manager while consulting on bioeconomy proposals.

MAG. ANA BABIC
Ana holds Master degrees in European Affairs, in English & American Studies from the University of Vienna and is a certified IPMA project manager. Ana worked in international political affairs within the OSCE and a diplomatic mission to the OSCE and the UN. At RTDS she is involved in project management, dissemination and communication.

Simon Young
Simon has degrees in both animation and design, as well as multiple art directorships and over 15 years of experience in the fields of illustration, design, and animation. He is continually developing a wide range of animations for the research projects in order to bring all concepts and results closer to end-users and citizens.

tristan bath, mA
Tristan holds a degree in Media from Goldsmiths College, University of London and recently completed a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Central European University in Vienna. He has more than a decade’s experience in a diverse range of communications fields, including riverine conservation, communications consulting, journalism, and online marketing. His responsibilities at RTDS cover dissemination, exploitation, and communication activities for EU-funded research projects.

Berina porca, mA
Berina holds a Masters degree in International Relations and European Studies. Before joining the RTDS, Berina worked at the ICMPD in Vienna and the European Union Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the field of human rights and gender equality. Her field of expertise is Communications and Social Media Management, with a strong reporting and briefing background. At RTDS, she is working on Dissemination, Exploitation and Communications for EU projects.

Ben Leitner, MA
Ben holds a joint EuroMasters degree in Contemporary European Studies: Politics, Policy & Society from the University of Bath, Università di Siena and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin. He joined UNIDO in 2009 and worked primarily on sustainable energy projects and communications & outreach. From 2018 onwards Ben also acquired expertise in EU decision processes and in the management of EU funded projects. Ben’s main responsibilities at RTDS are dissemination and communication for EU projects.