Austrian investor urges openness, pitches Austria’s deep‑tech playbook to Arizona lawmakers

Mister Berthold Barak Karlek, introduced to the House Committee on International Trade, told lawmakers that “legacy today is about what we enable,” and urged openness and cross‑border cooperation as the foundation of modern innovation. Speaking from an Austrian perspective, he said that high‑quality, accessible education and applied research produce specialized small‑and‑medium enterprises that succeed globally and that Arizona’s deep‑tech ecosystem makes the state worth exploring.

Karlek described Austria’s economic model as built on ‘‘hidden champions’’ — small, family‑owned firms that are global leaders in niche industrial and engineering sectors — and argued the same long‑term, research‑driven approach can pay off for regional economies. He said Austria’s model emphasizes training engineers who enter markets without heavy debt burdens and sustain multi‑generational know‑how through university‑industry connections.

Why it matters: Karlek framed the debate about trade and investment as a question of legacy, not short‑term protectionism. He warned against ‘‘forcing innovation into national silos’’ and said countries that remain open, trusted and connected will lead the next decades. The comments came as Arizona lawmakers weigh bills on trade offices and cross‑border collaboration with Sonora, Mexico.

Lawmakers asked whether Karlek or his firm has local operations; he said Vinor Capital has worked in the U.S. for 14 years and that he recently learned about Arizona’s strengths as a deep‑tech hub and will advocate to portfolio companies about opportunities in the state. The exchange reflected the committee’s interest in linking global capital and technology with local economic development.

The committee did not take action on the presentation itself. The hearing continued with several bill hearings and votes.