ViennaUP 2026 – Vienna, Austria
Overview
ViennaUP 2026 is Europe’s largest decentralized startup festival, designed to transform the entire city of Austria’s capital into a massive open arena for innovation. Organized by the Vienna Business Agency, this unique event moves away from the traditional single-venue conference model by utilizing coffee houses, museums, and urban lofts as meeting grounds. This approach allows participants to experience the authentic culture of Vienna while engaging with the cutting edge of global technology and entrepreneurship.
The festival serves as a critical bridge between international startups and the local European ecosystem, fostering a spirit of collaboration rather than just competition. Over the course of five days, the city becomes a vibrant hub for founders, investors, and visionaries to explore emerging trends in deep tech, sustainability, and creative industries. With thousands of attendees from over ninety countries expected to join, the atmosphere is charged with the energy of a global community looking to solve modern challenges.
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Attendees can expect a diverse program featuring over fifty individual events, including investor meetups, pitch sessions, and interactive workshops. The decentralized nature means that one moment you might be discussing social entrepreneurship in a historic city center café and the next you could be attending a high-energy networking party in a modern industrial space. It is a comprehensive immersion into the future of business, set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most livable cities.
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Event Highlights
- Decentralized City Format: The festival takes place across multiple locations throughout Vienna, turning the city’s iconic coffee houses and historic landmarks into coworking spaces and meeting hubs.
- Investor Coffee House Sessions: Participants have the rare opportunity to engage in personal, one-on-one conversations with seasoned international investors in the relaxed setting of traditional Viennese cafes.
- Startup World Cup Austria: The event hosts prestigious pitching competitions where innovative startups showcase their business models to a jury of experts for a chance to gain global recognition.
- The ViennaUP Wristband: Every attendee receives a festival wristband that grants access to various networking lounges and offers free samples of local Viennese delicacies across the participating venues.
Why Attend
This event is ideal for startup founders, venture capitalists, tech enthusiasts, and creative professionals who want to expand their network within the European market. Attending provides a unique platform to meet key industry influencers and potential business partners in a setting that is professional yet personal. It is specifically beneficial for those looking to scale their business or find investment opportunities in a high-growth environment.
Beyond the networking, the benefit of attending lies in the immense knowledge exchange through curated workshops and panels. You will gain insights into the latest developments in digital transformation, green technology, and the creative economy. It is an unparalleled opportunity to get a feel for the Viennese innovation landscape while building lasting connections that can help propel your professional journey forward.
Date & Duration
- Event Date: May 18 to May 22, 2026
- Event Duration: 5 Days
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Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Tickets are sold through the registration portal on the official festival website and specific partner event pages.
- Admission Type: General admission for the main festival with separate registration required for specific partner events.
- Ticket Pricing: Prices range from $0 to $535 depending on the specific partner events and professional packages selected.
- Special Seating Options: Open seating is standard across most decentralized venues including cafes and community spaces.
- VIP Options: Premium packages are available for investors and corporate partners including exclusive lounge access and fast-track networking.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Vienna, Austria
- Venue Name: Decentralized locations throughout the city center and various districts.
- Google Maps Address: Rathausplatz 1, 1010 Wien, Austria.
Worried about accommodation? Hotels near this event sell out quickly, and prices tend to rise fast. Check out these accommodation options:
Contact Information
- Email: info@viennaup.com
- Phone Number: +43 1 25200
- Official Website: viennaup.com
- Social Media Links:
- https://www.instagram.com/vienna.business/
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/viennabusiness/
- https://www.facebook.com/people/ViennaBusiness/61573054823769/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpxY3g_ewUMYbLq_DV8gc8w/videos?view=0&sort=dd&shelf_id=0
Getting There
- Nearest Airport: Vienna International Airport is located approximately 12 miles from the city center.
- Nearest Train/Metro Station: Wien Hauptbahnhof serves as the central rail hub with access to U-Bahn lines U1 and U3.
- Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: Extensive city-wide coverage is provided by the Wiener Linien tram and bus network connecting all event venues.
- Parking Availability: Public parking garages are available throughout the city center and near major transport hubs.
- Directions by Car: Access is primarily via the A1 Westautobahn or A2 Südautobahn leading into the city ring roads.
What is this event?
ViennaUP 2026 is a massive, community-driven festival that brings together the global startup community for a week of networking and innovation. It is a decentralized celebration of entrepreneurship where the city of Vienna itself becomes the stage for business growth.
The event focuses on connecting international talent with local opportunities through a series of workshops, pitches, and social gatherings. It is designed to showcase Vienna as a leading global hub for technology and creative industries.
Why is it popular?
The event is popular because it breaks the mold of traditional, sterile business conferences by integrating professional networking into the cultural heart of the city. Participants love the relaxed atmosphere of the coffee house sessions and the diversity of the programming.
It has gained international acclaim for its inclusivity and the high quality of participants it attracts from over ninety different countries. The festival’s ability to blend high-level investment discussions with genuine Viennese hospitality makes it a must-attend event in the startup calendar.
Attendee Experiences
- The vibe was incredible because you could literally talk shop while eating cake in a historic cafe.
- I met more high-quality investors in three days here than I did all year at other tech conferences.
- Walking through the city between different events made the whole networking experience feel like an adventure.
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FAQ's
What does a decentralized festival mean for my daily schedule?
A decentralized festival means that there is no single building where all activities happen, so you will spend your day moving between different venues like cafes and coworking spaces. You should plan your schedule in advance by checking the online map to see which neighborhoods host the specific workshops or talks you want to attend. This format allows you to explore the beauty of the city while effectively managing your professional networking goals.
Is the event accessible for people who do not speak German?
Yes, the festival is completely international and the primary language for all official events, workshops, and panel discussions is English. You will find that the staff, speakers, and other attendees communicate in English to ensure that everyone from the global community can participate fully. Most signage and digital materials provided through the event app are also available in English for your convenience.
How do I register for individual partner events within the festival?
While the main festival pass provides general access, many of the specialized workshops or investor sessions are hosted by partner organizations and may require a separate registration. You can browse the full program on the official website where each event listing includes instructions on how to access the specific signup page. It is recommended to register early for popular sessions as many of the smaller venues have limited capacity.
Are there any support programs for international startups traveling to the event?
The Vienna Business Agency often provides specific support packages such as the Discover ViennaUP program which offers travel assistance or grants to selected international startups. These programs are designed to help founders explore the local ecosystem and usually require an application process that closes several weeks before the event starts. You should check the official website startup section to see which current calls for applications are open.
What should I wear to the different events throughout the week?
Since the festival takes place in a variety of settings ranging from casual coffee houses to formal business pitches, a smart-casual dress code is generally the best choice. You will want to wear comfortable shoes because the decentralized nature of the event involves a fair amount of walking between different city venues. For evening networking parties, the atmosphere remains professional but leans more towards a relaxed, social style.
