Guide

The Austrian Startup Ecosystem: An Insider’s Map

I didn't just observe this ecosystem — I built part of it, running the startup programme at Startup Burgenland and coaching founders across the country. Austria's scene is smaller than Berlin's and better for it: reachable investors, genuine public support, and regional hubs that punch above their weight. Here's how it fits together.

Programs & support

Accelerators, incubators, and university spin-off centers — what each is actually for, and how to pick.

Accelerator Programs in Austria: A Complete Guide

Every programme worth knowing. What they offer and how to apply.

AplusB Centers: The Academic Founder's Launchpad

If your startup comes from research, start here.

Startup Burgenland: What We Learned From 40+ Startups

Patterns, mistakes, and breakthroughs from directing Austria's youngest accelerator.

Working With Austrian Universities on R&D

FH Campus 02, TU Graz, and how startups can access academic resources.

The regional map

Vienna isn't the whole story. Some of the best founding conditions in Austria are outside the capital.

The Graz Startup Scene: What You Need to Know

Austria's second city has a growing ecosystem. Here's the map.

Regional vs. Vienna Startup Scenes

Vienna gets all the press. But Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck have ecosystems that deserve attention.

Building a Startup Outside Vienna

Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Burgenland — regional ecosystems worth knowing.

Austrian Startup Success Stories You Should Know

Founders who made it from the DACH region. What they did differently.

Doing business here & in DACH

Relationship-first sales, networking that doesn't feel like networking, and expanding into the wider German-speaking market.

B2B Sales in Austria: Relationship-First Approach

The Austrian market rewards patience and trust over aggressive sales.

Networking in the Austrian Business World

Austrian networking follows unwritten rules that foreigners and first-time founders miss. Here's the insider playbook.

Networking for Introverts in the Austrian Startup Scene

You don't need to be loud. You need to be useful.

Customer Discovery in the DACH Market

German-speaking customers have different expectations. Adapt your approach.

DACH Market Expansion Strategies

Austria, Germany, Switzerland: three countries, one language, completely different markets. How to expand across all three.

The DACH Market Opportunity for English-Language Products

100M+ German speakers. But should you launch in German or English?

Founder Mental Health: The Conversation Austria Needs

Burnout, isolation, and the pressure nobody talks about.

Need a guide, not just a map?

Whether you're choosing an accelerator or planning DACH expansion, I've seen these decisions from both sides of the table.

Work with me