How does the ViennaUP festival contribute to the growth of the startup community and the connection between founders and investors?

ViennaUP, the week-long startup festival in the Austrian capital, is designed to facilitate effortless networking through a wide array of events catering to investors and startups at various stages, from early-stage ventures to those expanding internationally. Innovative technologies and their impact on businesses and society are front and center. ViennaUP’s boutique approach means every participant can have an authentic experience of the city, attending events in various downtown neighbourhoods and engaging in discussions in different settings, from grand conference halls to exclusive gatherings in modern spaces. Participants choose events that align with their needs and connect with potential business partners and investors, including the most essential players in the Vienna ecosystem. ViennaUP offers a platform for pitching, networking, learning, discussion, and collaboration, all within the framework of a single festival in Central Europe.

What are the main themes of NEXT year's ViennaUP festival?

The upcoming ViennaUP festival will center on how emerging technologies and innovative business models can drive positive change for society and the planet. Our primary goal is to bring together a diverse group of visionaries, startups, investors, innovators, and experts to collaborate on transformative solutions that will enhance our lives and shape a better future for all.

What makes next year's edition of the ViennaUP festival special and how does it differ from previous years?

ViennaUP is a decentralized festival hosted by the city's thriving startup community. Think of Vienna as the fertile soil that provides stability for the startup industry, meeting its essential needs, while ViennaUP acts as the catalyst, adapting to the community's and the industry's requirements. In this ecosystem, there are a lot of new event formats thanks to our over 30 contributing program partners. We’re continuously working to improve visitors’ business journey. For instance with a brand-new matchmaking system, which will help people connect with potential business partners and investors for free.

In which segments will we see the impact of technology and innovation at the next festival?

Tech and innovation, applied through the lens of diversity and inclusion, will be prominent across the festival – at events such as Lead Today. Shape Tomorrow, the Startup World Cup, Connect Day, Manufacturing Day, Creative Days, Smart City Summit, Tech Jobs Fair, Plug and Play Expo Day, Europe Tech Hack, and the InnoDays. Together, these events dish out a rich offering of practical, tangible tech applications across sectors including Industry 4.0, Smart City, Creativity, Travel, Artificial Intelligence and more.

Can you provide more details about Lead Today. Shape Tomorrow? 

At LTST24, the Female Founders organization brings together early-stage founders, investors, and influential voices in innovation from across Europe with the goal of fostering valuable connections and reshaping the landscape of European Tech. Over the course of a day and a half, participants can anticipate engaging keynotes, enlightening fireside chats, insightful panel discussions, and hands-on workshops that delve into the most current issues within the startup ecosystem. A startup competition will center gender-diverse teams, offer numerous networking opportunities, and provide a range of side events, all within an open and welcoming atmosphere.