- ViennaUP 2026 unites startups, investors, and innovators in Vienna’s dynamic innovation ecosystem
- The five-day Festival offers conferences, pitch sessions, workshops, networking, preceded by the new WarmUP weekend
- Curated tracks focus on Tech, Founders, Investment, Impact, and Creative Exploration
- Participants are welcome to personalize their festival experience with Homebase events, Café networking sessions, and more
ViennaUP 2026 is back, bringing the entirety of Europe’s startup and innovation ecosystem together in Vienna once again. Now in its sixth edition, the Festival keeps its reputation of a top destination for international founders, investors, and innovators seeking meaningful connections and insights.
Vienna’s Commitment to Startup Growth
ViennaUP stands out among European startup festivals thanks to strong city support for entrepreneurship. Launched in 2020 by the Vienna Business Agency, the festival was created to unify the city’s growing startup ecosystem under a single week-long event, boosting its international visibility.
With Vienna hosting numerous global-facing events, the festival channels the city’s energy into a united collaborative platform. Today, ViennaUP is a recognized benchmark on the European startup calendar, providing a space where startups, corporates, investors, and innovators converge.
What Makes Vienna a Hub for Innovation
Known for authenticity and community spirit, ViennaUP offers a one-stop-shop for startups to connect with the region’s dynamic ecosystem. Events take place across the city, from conferences and workshops to pitch sessions and networking opportunities, all while giving participants a chance to experience Vienna’s culture and entrepreneurial energy firsthand.
Opportunities to Accelerate
ViennaUP 2026 provides support for startups at every stage, creating opportunities to form partnerships, enter new markets, and scale sustainably. Key events include:
- Connect Day by Austria Wirtschaftsservice – Networking with mentors, investors, and corporate partners.
- Startup World Cup Austria by invest.austria – Pitch to global audiences and discover new funding opportunities.
- {founders only} by Austrian Startups – Exclusive networking and insights for startup founders.
- The Recursive CEE Forum by The Recursive – Access to the wider Central and Eastern European tech scene.
- Lab to Leader: Building Science Ventures That Last by Konsultori – Turning scientific breakthroughs into scalable businesses.
- Road to Global x Tech Summit – Connecting local startups with international expertise and opportunities.
These sessions foster connections and accelerate growth, helping startups navigate both local and international markets.
What’s on the Agenda in 2026
The Festival spans five days of conferences, workshops, pitch sessions, and networking events, preceded by the debut WarmUP weekend, featuring hackathons, workshops, and extra pitch opportunities.
The Festival’s programme is organized into five curated focus areas:
- Tech Innovations – From AI and deep tech to health tech and beyond.
- Founders’ Stories – Lessons, insights, and inspiration from startup builders.
- Investment Opportunities – Pitches, networking, and funding discussions with investors.
- Impact & Change – Bold ideas transforming real-world challenges.
- Creative Exploration – Cross-disciplinary encounters, cultural experiences, and unconventional formats.
This structure allows attendees to build a tailored experience that aligns with their goals and interests.
Build Your Own Festival Experience
ViennaUP offers flexibility to customize your visit. Attendees can select sessions, workshops, and networking events that best suit their objectives—whether connecting with investors, testing ideas, or discovering emerging tech.
The ViennaUP Homebase at Karlsplatz serves as the festival hub, hosting networking sessions, special activities, and musical performances every afternoon and evening.
Across the city, ViennaUP Café Spaces offer complimentary refreshments and relaxed spots to meet fellow participants. The Coffee House Sessions also return in 2026, allowing founders to pitch their startups, receive expert feedback, and connect with investors and other ecosystem players.
How to Join the Action
ViennaUP combines city-wide events organized by trusted partners. Attendees are to keep in mind that there is no single all-access ticket—each event requires separate registration, and some may have paid entry or an application process for pitching. Participants are welcome to explore the full programme online to select the events most relevant to their goals.
By combining structured programming with flexibility, ViennaUP 2026 offers an immersive experience for founders, investors, corporates, and ecosystem enthusiasts to exchange ideas, discover opportunities, and experience Vienna as one of Europe’s leading innovation hubs.
Kostiantyn is a freelance writer from Crimea but based in Lviv. He loves writing about IT and high tech because those topics are always upbeat and he’s an inherent optimist!
