Helmut Marko invests in Austrian AI start-up developing digital legacy avatars

Former Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko has become an investor in an Austrian technology start-up developing an artificial intelligence platform designed to preserve people’s voices, messages and personal memories beyond their lifetime.

The 83-year-old attended the official launch presentation of Lebensstimmen – Words That Remain – at Vienna’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Tuesday, where he appeared alongside Viennese cathedral priest Toni Faber and the company’s founders.

Marko explained why he had decided to support the project, drawing parallels between the innovative approach of the technology company and the importance of technological progress during his decades in motorsport.

His involvement represents a new chapter for the former Red Bull figure, whose influence in Formula 1 extended across several generations of drivers and helped shape the team’s success.

 

Marko sees parallels between AI and motorsport innovation

Speaking at the launch, Marko explained that his decision to invest was influenced by the company’s approach to technological development and its potential benefits beyond the commercial world.

“In motorsport, nothing was ever left to chance. Progress arose from the courage to consistently use new technologies for the benefit of humanity. I recognize precisely this attitude in Lebensstimmen – Words That Remain,” said the Styrian.

The statement reflects Marko’s long-standing association with innovation and performance during his time in Formula 1.

As Red Bull’s motorsport adviser, he played a significant role in identifying and developing young talent, including several drivers who eventually reached the sport’s highest level.

His latest investment, however, takes him into an entirely different technological sector.

 

What is Lebensstimmen?

Lebensstimmen is developing an AI-powered avatar platform that allows people to create a digital representation of themselves while they are still alive.

The central idea is to enable individuals to preserve personal messages, thoughts and farewell recordings that can remain accessible to family members and loved ones after their death.

According to the company’s description, the platform is intended to provide a way of maintaining a personal connection across generations through carefully preserved digital content.

Users will be able to leave messages for relatives and other important people in their lives, creating a digital legacy that can be accessed in the future.

The developers describe the concept as a novel approach to preserving personal memories, with an emphasis on dignity, transparency and compliance with legal requirements.

The project also enters a rapidly developing area of artificial intelligence, where digital representations of individuals are increasingly being explored for applications beyond conventional business and entertainment.

 

Austrian technology company targets international launch in 2027

Lebensstimmen was developed in Graz, Austria, and its founders are preparing for a commercial launch in the first quarter of 2027.

The initial rollout is planned for Austria, with an international launch also scheduled as part of the company’s development strategy.

Marko’s involvement provides the start-up with a prominent investor whose profile extends well beyond Austria.

The former Red Bull adviser remains a recognisable figure in international motorsport, having spent years working alongside leading figures in Formula 1.

His decision to support an AI project focused on personal memories demonstrates how his interests are now extending into areas far removed from the race track.

Further information about the project is available through the company’s official website: www.lebensstimmen.com.

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