Vienna, one of Europe’s capitals of culture, is busy looking to rebrand itself as a capital of innovation, tech, and startups with events like the upcoming ViennaUP festival.

Meanwhile, there’s an organization that will be hosting a range of events at the festival that is all about making Vienna the epicenter where startups that combine the power of culture and tech are born and nurtured.

CultTech Accelerator, a part of the CultTech Association, has already had over 300 applications for its program and run 25 startups through it, and it’s doubling down on its efforts in 2023, with the ViennaUP festival marking the beginning of the rollout for their ambitious plans.

"We believe that CultTech startups have the same extraordinary potential as Fintech startups have experienced in recent years," says the founder of CultTech Association, investor and technology entrepreneur, Dmitry Aksenov. "We are passionate to foster and help grow young companies that bring together culture and technology to make the arts and culture more accessible, sustainable, and in demand for the benefit of society."

"With its rich culture and art history, Vienna is the best place from which the CultTech community to grow, and ViennaUP 2023 is the perfect event for us to let people in on what we’re excited about – tech and culture make a powerful combination that can give birth to incredible opportunities in the way of business and how they can have a positive impact on the future of our societies," he adds.

CultTech will be advocating their cause at this year’s ViennaUP festival with an array of events happening as part of their "CultTech Space" program, such as:
  • A stimulating panel talk about how AI is disrupting the world of art & culture: "AIs role in Cultural Development and Transformation".
  • A networking event for CultTech startups & investors.
  • A DemoDay showcase for the current batch of startups participating in their accelerator program.
  • An AR art exhibition in partnership with Artivive.
  • A culture-driven VR experience in partnership with VRISCH.

Nine of the startups taking part in the CultTech Accelerator’s third batch will be pitching at a DemoDay within the framework of ViennaUP on June 2.

CultTech Association is a non-profit organisation involved in various activities, including an investment fund, and a startup accelerator program, CultTech Accelerator, that brings together expertise and networks from across the startup, tech, culture, and art scenes in Europe and beyond.

The organization is headquartered in Vienna.

To learn more about ViennaUP, don't forget to read our interview with Vienna Business Agency director of startup services Gabriele Tatzberger, and our overview of the festival's key programs and features.