Austrian policymakers have helped create centres of research excellence, including through the “greenfield” founding of the Institute for Science and Technology (1ST) Austria which was recently included in the Nature 2018 Index of the Top 30 (universities) under 30 (years old). Up to EUR 280 million are budgeted for a period of five years, at the end of which around 400 researchers in the fields of electronics-based systems and microelectronics are expected to be employed at Silicon Austria Labs. Policy makers recognise the transformational importance of digitalisation, and through many channels act to accelerate its diffusion. There has been considerable experimentation over decades with varied institutional models to support innovation, and evaluation of innovation policy instruments is a widespread practice.