Fungal research at eye level

rooted in funga

Fungal research at eye level

rooted in funga
Navigate to the next section

Our vision is to raise awareness of the role that fungi play in nature. We are committed to preserving and protecting ecosystems, so that we can continue to research and understand them in the future.

MISSION

We harness the potential of fungi.

Whether in agriculture, environmental protection or for industrial applications – our research-based approach enables us to break new ground in harnessing the potential of fungi.

Our services
Research
TEAM

We share a fascination for the central role fungi play in our ecosystems.

MyPilz was founded in February 2022 out of this enthusiasm. Since then, we have been working on sustainable solutions and supporting pioneering projects with the most advanced methods of modern fungal research.

Consulting
Head of Biotechnology

Valeria Ellena

Valeria is a biotechnologist and molecular biologist with a passion for fungi and their many applications. She began her research journey in Italy, before moving to the Netherlands to gain initial experience in fungal research.

She then continued her academic career in Vienna and completed her doctorate at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) on the subject of 'Sexual reproduction in Aspergillus niger'. During her postdoctoral period, she further developed her expertise in various biotechnological processes. Her projects included optimising fungal strains for citric acid production and developing special DNA molecules for targeting fungal spores.

Today, Valeria brings her scientific experience and passion for sustainable solutions to MyPilz as Head of Biotechnology.

Photo: Lukas Hof

Head of Research & Development

Miriam Schalamun

Miriam is a biotechnologist specialising in innovative sequencing technologies and bioinformatic data analysis. She established nanopore sequencing in her master's thesis on plant systems at the Australian National University in Canberra. Her doctorate at the Vienna University of Technology was dedicated to cellular signalling in fungi. There she deepened her understanding of fungi and their interaction with the environment. She carried out her practical work at the AIT, Austrian Institute of Technology. Today, Miriam contributes her extensive expertise and passion for fungal research as Head of Research and Development at MyPilz.

Photo: Lukas Hof

Education & Outreach Manager

Franziska Messenböck

Franziska's passion is to inspire people for scientific and sustainable topics. After completing her training as a kindergarten teacher in Upper Austria, she moved to Vienna to pursue her interests further. She completed a degree in Environmental Education and Consulting at the University College for Agricultural and Environmental Education and gained a wide range of experience in event management.

During her studies, she taught in Canada and deepened her enthusiasm for communicating complex scientific topics. As Education & Outreach Manager at MyPilz, she is responsible for making mycology accessible, understandable and tangible for a wide audience.

Photo: Lukas Hof

Executive Assistant

Olivia Tan

As Executive Assistant at MyPilz, Olivia plays a key role in building trust with the management, the team and our partners. Combining organisational talent with a high level of social competence, she ensures that communication, processes and cooperation work together harmoniously.

Her day-to-day work takes place in a dynamic environment where scientific innovation meets entrepreneurial skill. She remains calm under pressure, sets clear priorities, and always works with the utmost reliability and discretion.

She sees her work as a supportive contribution to the shared vision of regeneratively utilising nature as a path to a sustainable future.

Founder and Scientific Director

Wolfgang Hinterdobler

Wolfgang Hinterdobler is an enthusiastic natural scientist and biotechnologist. Studying Botany at the University of Vienna enabled Wolfgang to spend a research period at La Gamba tropical station in Costa Rica. There, he analysed the compounds produced by tropical fungi living in symbiosis with plants. Fascinated by these complex interactions, he continued his research at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, completing his doctorate on the topic of 'Chemical Communication of Fungi' at the Vienna University of Technology.

Wolfgang wants to use his expertise to develop and implement sustainable, resource-efficient projects. By founding MyPilz, he has turned a lifelong fascination into a profession.

Photo: Lukas Hof

Founder and CEO

René Lux

René Lux is the Commercial Director of MyPilz and the host of the Pilzfestspiele, Vienna's biennial fungal festival.

In his work, he considers fungi as key factors for the transition to a regenerative, bio-based circular economy. Not only do fungi serve as resources, they also serve as models for symbiotic and resilient production and exchange systems.

Photo: Lukas Hof

PRESS

MyMushroom in the media.

Regional soil fungi for modern agriculture: “To make agricultural land more resilient to heat, drought and pests, a possible solution can be found in the soil itself, in the form of fungi. An Austrian startup aims to help farms strengthen their soils with regionally sourced, carefully selected fungi from their own topsoil, while simultaneously increasing yields.”

How regional fungi can strengthen soils: “A local start-up aims to help agricultural businesses make their soils more resilient to drought, heat, and pests through the use of individually tailored fungi, while increasing yields. Two farms in Lower Austria are already applying this approach. Few people experience the effects of climate change as directly as farmers.”

Regional soil fungi for modern agriculture: “To make agricultural land more resilient to heat, drought and pests, a possible solution can be found in the soil itself, in the form of fungi. An Austrian startup aims to help farms strengthen their soils with regionally sourced, carefully selected fungi from their own topsoil, while simultaneously increasing yields.”

How regional fungi can strengthen soils: “A local start-up aims to help agricultural businesses make their soils more resilient to drought, heat, and pests through the use of individually tailored fungi, while increasing yields. Two farms in Lower Austria are already applying this approach. Few people experience the effects of climate change as directly as farmers.”

PARTNER

With a strong network as a foundation.

Innovation thrives where knowledge is shared and trust grows. We owe our success to our strong network of renowned research institutions, industry partners and interdisciplinary experts. Together, we develop practical solutions at the intersection of science, sustainability, and technology.

REFERENCES

Experiences of successful cooperation.

a

“We are working closely with MyPilz as part of a subsidised innovation project. MyPilz's scientific expertise is helping us to develop new approaches to mushroom cultivation, creating the basis for sustainable production processes. This collaboration is making an important contribution to the further development of Hermann.bio by combining practical experience in industrial mushroom cultivation with sound research!”

Thomas NeuburgerCEO Hermann.bio

“In 2024, the BMLUK commissioned MyPilz to conduct a study on the potential of fungal-based technologies within a regional, bio-based circular economy. MyPilz's work was impressive, demonstrating a high level of technical expertise and a practical approach. The study clearly demonstrated the significant contribution that fungal-based solutions can make to sustainable bio- and circular economies.”

DI Josef E. GaldbergerFederal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK)

“MyPilz is the central player and the driving force behind all topics related to fungi in Austria. Its expertise and strong conviction make MyPilz the ideal point of contact. From the uses of fungi to the opportunities they offer, MyPilz knows the field inside out and ensures that fungi get the attention they deserve.”

DI (FH) Thomas TimmelCEO BioBASE

“The professional identification of fungal samples from our collections using DNA barcoding has significantly expanded our knowledge of species diversity. We share MyPilz's goal of researching and protecting the diversity of fungi in Austria, as well as raising awareness of their importance in natural ecosystems. With this in mind, we are delighted with the excellent collaboration we have established with MyPilz.”

Prof. Mag.
Dr Irmgard GreilhuberPresident of the Austrian
Mycological Society

“Here at MIYA Forest e.V., we are collaborating with MyPilz on an ongoing research project. The aim is to systematically analyse the soil microbiome of our Tiny Forests. This scientifically robust monitoring will enable us to better understand how our forest ecosystems develop and evaluate the long-term impact of Tiny Forests on soil ecology.”

Stefan ScharfeMIYA Forest e.V.

“We worked closely with MyPilz as part of a feasibility study. Their technically sound assessment demonstrated the potential of mycoremediation as a sustainable ecological remediation solution, providing a valuable foundation for future decisions. MyPilz's structured approach and clear presentation of the results made them an important and reliable project partner for us.”

Johann HeißingerSchwammerlkönig