VIENNAUP 2026: ADVANCING STARTUP GROWTH AND SCALING IN EUROPE
As the global startup ecosystem continues to mature, the focus is shifting from early traction to sustainable growth and international scaling. ViennaUP 2026 positions itself firmly at the center of this conversation, bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a week (18 – 22 May 2026) dedicated to building meaningful connections and unlocking new opportunities.
Vienna, long recognized for its cultural legacy and international institutions, is rapidly gaining ground as a European innovation hub. This year’s programme reflects that momentum, with a selection of events designed to address the real challenges of scaling, from accessing capital and entering new markets to building resilient, future-proof teams.
A PROGRAMME BUILT FOR GROWTH
At the heart of ViennaUP 2026 is a selection of events designed to foster connections, enable knowledge exchange, and support startups on their path to scale:
Connect Day (May 19): The festival’s largest matchmaking platform, connecting startups, corporates, SMEs, and investors, with a focus on frontier tech and AI, green tech and manufacturing, medtech and life sciences, and urban innovation.
ViennaUP Coffee House Sessions (May 18–22): Invitation-only roundtable discussions where selected startups engage with experienced investors and innovators in small, high-value settings.
The Recursive CEE Forum (May 20): Bridging the DACH and CEE ecosystems through data-driven insights and networking opportunities.
Road to Global x Tech Summit (May 20–21): A joint platform connecting founders with international partners, new markets, and global growth opportunities.
Lab to Leader (May 20): Focused on transforming research into scalable ventures, including co-founder matching to build stronger, future-proof teams.
FROM INSIGHT TO IMPACT
ViennaUP 2026 also places a strong emphasis on practical application and peer-to-peer learning, with a series of targeted events designed to translate innovation into real-world impact:
From Pitch to Patient (May 19): Bringing startups together with healthcare professionals to explore how digital health and AI solutions can be effectively implemented in real-world systems.
For founders only (May 22): A closed-door gathering for founders who have raised or generated over €500k, fostering honest, peer-driven conversations and sharing proven strategies for sustainable scaling.
Growth Secrets with The Scaling School (May 19): A Nordic inspired business experience supporting international founders in scaling and expanding across borders.
ScaleUp Spritzer #14 (May 20): An informal networking event connecting tourism and leisure scaleups with investors and ecosystem leaders.
With its strong focus on actionable insights, cross border collaboration, and ecosystem building, ViennaUP 2026 stands out as a key meeting point for those looking to scale with purpose.
Secure tickets for ViennaUP 2026 (18 – 22 May) today: viennaup.com.
ABOUT THE GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS
The Global Startup Awards discovers, supports, and celebrates visionary entrepreneurs and high-growth startups worldwide. Through competitions, community features, and storytelling, GSA helps founders connect, share insights, and accelerate their ventures.
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from the GSA alumni network. There’s much more innovation ahead.