Round up your festival experience in style with the ViennaUP side events
Ready to meet attendees with even more insights and opportunities to connect? ViennaUP 2026 will be complemented by a series of exciting side events produced by trusted collaborators. Explore the city, network with like-minded individuals, and soak up the excitement.
Please note: Registration for the side events occurs separately from the main festival programme. For more information on the upcoming happenings, check out more details and sign up via the links below.
15 May 2026
Master the art of the deal on May 15! Watch experts tackle economics vs. control, learn to spot "standard" traps, and decode liquidation preferences line-by-line. Gain the leverage you need to protect your equity and lead your startup's funding round with confidence.
18 May 2026
Vienna is a top destination for CEE/SEE businesses thanks to its stability, quality of life, and access to the DACH region. This event offers insights on Vienna’s soft‑landing process: office options, administrative steps, legal basics, funding, and city support ideal for startups planning expansion.
18 May 2026
The EA Conference is designed to inspire, encourage and support young people to start their own business. It's full of opportunities for students - for both ‘explorers’ who simply want to learn about entrepreneurship, and for ‘wantrepreneurs’ who benefit from the elaborate support infrastructure the program offers to student startup projects.
18 - 22 May 2026
The Global Digital Asset Forum Vienna marks a new milestone for Europe's digital finance ecosystem. Embedded for the first time in ViennaUP, the forum positions Vienna at the center of the global conversation on digital assets, stablecoins, and tokenization.
19 May 2026
Just like the iconic IKEA concept, The Scaling School believes that with the right, smart and affordable tools, you can build the business of your dreams yourself. Join us for an experience designed for international founders ready to expand across borders.
19 May 2026
An exclusive event for active startup investors, VC funds, and corporates to explore high-potential opportunities, build strategic collaborations, and connect across Austria, India, Ukraine, and Saudi Arabia.
19 May 2026
Build your customer as a character, not a demographic. Move through AI co-writing and hands-on clay sculpting to surface insights that no slide deck ever will. You leave with a Protagonist Card, a clay artifact, and a method your whole team can use.
19 May 2026
Join this event for the Graduation of the latest Founder Institute AT-BE-NL-LU-FR Cohort, where you'll hear an inspiring keynote from the network and a few debut presentations from the new Alumni. Learn about some of the companies that will go on to raise funding, and build the next great European startups.
19 May 2026
invest.austria – the Austrian Association for Private Capital – invites you to an exclusive Investors’ Breakfast in the heart of Vienna during ViennaUP 2026 and Connect Day. Meet members of the local VC, private equity and business angel community, expand your network and explore potential co-investments over a traditional Viennese breakfast.
20 May 2026
Turn ideas into prototypes in just 48 hours at InnoDays! Over the course of 48 hours, companies, students, designers, engineers, and business leaders come together to tackle real-world challenges and bring ideas to life.
20 May 2026
Join us for a chill meet-up where experienced founders share stories and sip on spritzers to fueling their next big move. Scaleup Spritzer #14 brings together tourism & leisure scaleups with investors and ecosystem leaders.
20 May 2026
This exclusive gathering creates meaningful conversations in a focused and premium setting. It’s where founders meet investors, ideas turn into strategic discussions, and early connections evolve into serious opportunities. Position yourself at the center of opportunity, build trust before the crowd arrives, and set the tone for two powerful days ahead.
21 May 2026
After nearly a week of inspiration at ViennaUP 2026, it’s time to switch things up—from the buzz of the conference to a more festive kind of energy. This year, GIN & Friends is extra special as we celebrate a milestone: 10 years of GIN! Join us in raising a glass to a decade of connecting Austrian and Asian startup ecosystems.
21 May 2026
Join Sweat x Equity for a high-energy open-air workout, where founders, investors, and operators come together to move, connect, and unwind beyond traditional networking. This full-body session blends great music, shared energy, and authentic conversations in a relaxed outdoor setting.
21 May 2026
Join the annual gathering of 100 funded founders, investors, and high-potential entrepreneurs at the KPMG Penthouse in Vienna. Hear from Austria’s top-funded founders in a live panel and Q&A, then enjoy networking, food, and drinks.
21 May 2026
Gateway Ventures is an active startup investor's network in Europe and is building an ecosystem of investor's networks all over Europe. We welcome investors from all over Europe that are looking for networking opportunities. This event is exclusively for active startup investors & VC funds.
22 May 2026
A meal with participants from all over the world, its colours as diverse as the cultures it represents and the people who have come to share it. This Potluck invites everyone with a interest and willingness to share their food, thoughts and passion for entrepreneurship with one another.
22 May 2026
From Zero to Startup is an immersive event designed to help aspiring founders turn ideas into reality. Whether you’re starting with zero knowledge, no clear idea, or just need direction, this event equips you with the tools to leave with clarity and a solid foundation for your startup journey.
22 May 2026
The Global Innovation Bridge Summit is a unique opportunity to connect international startups with Europe’s leading companies and innovation ecosystem. The event brings together investors, European companies, and innovative startups to foster collaboration, joint investment, and the creation of scalable international opportunities.
22 May 2026
In the age of AI, human connection is your edge. PitchCave turns the stage into a contact sport — pitch your idea live, get real-time crowd feedback & build the skills AI can't replace. Hosted at weXelerate, Vienna's leading startup hub. Come curious. Leave confident.
22 May 2026
Tesla Venture Studio (Tesla VS) is hosting the Tesla Global Pitch @ ViennaUP, a high-stakes, cross-border pitching session designed to bridge the gap between European innovation and global scaling opportunities.
22 May 2026
Discover Europe’s leading mobility and tourism innovations live at the ViennaUP Homebase at Karlsplatz. Drop by the Playground hosted by POINT& for interactive demos and inspiring solutions that turn major events into truly moving experiences. No registration needed, just drop by!
22 May 2026
Beyond Borders explores how migrant entrepreneurs shape Europe’s innovation ecosystem. Through three impulse talks, a panel discussion with international founders and investors, and an interactive Ask Me Anything session, the event creates space for honest dialogue on diversity, inclusion, and the future of entrepreneurship in Europe.
All the news from the scene and the festival.
The ViennaUP Newsletter!