Launched in 2021 by the Vienna Business Agency, ViennaUP has grown into a globally recognized platform for founders, investors, and change-makers. As a non-profit initiative of the City of Vienna, it uniquely reflects the collaborative nature of the local ecosystem, bringing together dozens of partner events across various industries and districts.
“Over the years, ViennaUP has proven that it’s so much more than just a festival; it stands as proof that a tight-knit, diverse community can transform big ideas into tangible impact,” says Gabriele Tatzberger, head of startup services at the Vienna Business Agency. “This is why innovators from across the globe choose to return to the city; to share insights, forge connections, and to experience what the vibrant Viennese startup scene has to offer. We can’t wait to welcome them in 2025!”
The festival will once again take place throughout the city, with events happening in 33 venues across 11 districts. Attendees can expect workshops, pitch sessions, and conferences organized around five curated themes: Venture, Collaborate, Transform, Level Up, and Connect.
With more than 15,000 participants in 2024 (97% saying they would recommend the experience), the event has emerged as a must-attend event on the European startup calendar. In addition to formal programming, the ViennaUP Homebase at Karlsplatz and its signature Coffee House Sessions will provide informal spaces for networking and pitch opportunities, offering a uniquely Viennese spin on startup culture.
The festival aims to spotlight startups not only as economic engines but as drivers of social and environmental progress. This is reflected in events like Impact Days, the Smart City Summit, Creative Days, and The Green 100, which focus on sustainability, innovation, and inclusion.
International entrepreneurs say the event helps open doors across Europe. “ViennaUP has provided a unique platform to explore Austria’s thriving startup ecosystem and helped me in gaining the insights into how Vienna and Austria could be our gateway to Europe, with its extensive startup support ecosystem, which I found best in whole of Europe,” said Ankit Kumar of Shoegaro Fashion Private Limited, an attendee from India.
What began as a response to growing local momentum, fueled by Vienna’s first unicorns and a proliferation of separate events, has become a signature part of the city’s identity. Now in its fifth year, ViennaUP is listed by StartupBlink as one of Europe’s best startup festivals. Organizers expect 2025 to build on that legacy with a fresh lineup of events and new collaborators.
More information, including a full schedule of events and registration links, is available at viennaup.com.
This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of April 22, 2025.
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