Is Vienna a Good Place to Launch a Startup?

Where you start your company still matters – but sticking too closely to one location might limit what you’re able to build. In today’s startup landscape, geography shapes your path – but it doesn’t have to define your potential.

Vienna has emerged as a strong hub for entrepreneurship, offering access to funding, talent, and infrastructure. But with growing competition, rigid local programmes, and support often reserved for the most polished startups, relying solely on what’s nearby can slow you down – or hold you back.

In this article, we’ll explore what Vienna gets right – and where founders often run into friction. We’ll also show how EWOR offers an alternative: a global, remote-first platform that gives you access to funding, mentorship, and community – no matter where you’re based.

1. Access to Funding in Vienna

Funding is one of the most critical ingredients in building a successful startup – and Vienna offers a growing ecosystem of support. From venture capital firms to government grants and angel investors, founders in this region have several pathways to raise capital and gain early traction.

Vienna's early-stage funding scene is active, supported by a mix of players. Notable VC firms like Speedinvest and Calm/Storm Ventures are prominent early-stage investors. Government bodies such as the Vienna Business Agency and Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) provide crucial grants and support programs for startups. Angel networks also contribute to the ecosystem. However, challenges persist, including a perceived funding gap at later stages (Series B and beyond) compared to other major European hubs. While early-stage funding has improved, securing larger growth-stage investments often requires looking beyond Austria. Despite these hurdles, the ecosystem is growing, with increasing international investor interest and a rise in innovative startups.

A More Flexible Path Forward

In the wake of these challenges, founders don’t have to rely solely on local funding options. EWOR offers a more flexible path – providing up to €500,000 in early-stage capital But EWOR is more than a cheque. Our capital comes bundled with personalised support, investor-ready storytelling, and access to a network of over 400 active European investors – many of whom regularly participate in our Grand Pitch events. On average, EWOR fellows who complete the programme and pitch go on to raise €2 million in follow-on funding – over 10x more than founders from comparable European initiatives.

2. Innovation and Startup Culture  

Vienna has become a centre of innovation, with numerous tech hubs, coworking spaces, and accelerators that foster creativity and new ideas. The local startup culture is vibrant, with a growing community of entrepreneurs working together to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Vienna has a thriving startup ecosystem with a strong focus on technology and innovation, ranking highly in Europe. The city offers numerous coworking spaces and is home to many tech and entrepreneurship events, including the large-scale ViennaUP festival. Entrepreneurial activity is significant, with new companies frequently founded. Support for startups is well-organized, with various government grants and programs available, including those specifically for early-stage ventures like the aws First Incubator and INiTS. While standardized programs exist, there is also tailored support and mentorship offered through incubators and accelerators, providing both structured guidance and personalized assistance for founders at different stages.

For many entrepreneurs, the energy and resources available in Vienna can provide the ideal environment to test new ideas and gain early traction. The collaborative atmosphere allows founders to connect with fellow innovators and build networks that can help their startups grow.

While the local startup culture is vibrant, the support founders actually receive can be hit or miss. VCs might offer funding but little time. Angel investors often give advice, but it’s scattered and inconsistent. What’s more, many accelerators rely on a one-size-fits-all model that doesn’t reflect the needs of exceptional founders. In fast-moving, competitive ecosystems like Vienna, standing out is hard enough – getting the right kind of support shouldn’t be.

The Alternative to Cookie-Cutter Programmes

Finding a programme that truly adapts to your journey, not the other way around, is rare. However, EWOR offers the kind of depth and flexibility that many local programmes simply can’t match. Instead of following a fixed curriculum, our fellowships are modular and tailored – giving you the right support at the right time, based on where you are in your journey.

But the real strength of EWOR goes beyond structure. Fellows often describe the community as the most unexpected – and valuable – part of the experience. As some have put it: “The real magic lies in the community: the kind of conversations, insights, and connections that lead not only to breakthroughs – but to lasting friendships with some of the most fascinating people they’ve ever met”.

3. Talent and Workforce Availability

One of the greatest assets of launching a startup in Vienna is access to a skilled and diverse talent pool. With universities producing top-tier graduates in technology, business, and other fields, startups can tap into a wealth of expertise to help grow their teams.

Vienna offers a strong talent pool for startups, supported by numerous educational institutions. It is a major university city with a large student population, including a significant international contingent. Universities like the University of Vienna and Vienna University of Technology contribute to a pool of highly-educated professionals and are involved in incubators like INiTS, which fosters academic spin-offs. The city has a growing tech ecosystem with demand for skilled professionals, particularly in software development, IT, life sciences, and increasingly AI. While there's high demand for tech talent, sometimes leading to a shortage of skilled professionals, efforts are being made to improve STEM education and facilitate hiring international workers. Local talent, including a large community of expats and students, supports entrepreneurial growth through a deep talent pool and a collaborative startup scene. The city's high quality of life also helps attract and retain talent.

Like funding, competition for talent can be fierce, especially for highly specialised roles in fields like software development or AI. For startups looking to scale quickly, hiring the right people at the right time can be a challenge, leading some founders to look outside the region for remote talent solutions.

Get Global While Local

While hiring locally in Vienna can be competitive and slow, EWOR gives you instant access to a global network of exceptional talent. Built by founders for founders, the EWOR team has launched and exited companies worth over €12 billion – and they bring that experience directly into your venture. It's not just about funding or surface-level advice; it's akin to having a co-founder from day one. 

The team collaborates closely with you to refine your idea, challenge your thinking, and support you through real-world decisions – just like a hands-on partner would. Moreover, with EWOR’s exclusive co-founder pool, you can find the right person to build with, regardless of their location.

4. Infrastructure and Support Systems

Vienna boasts a strong infrastructure that supports the growth of new businesses. From modern office spaces to high-speed internet, entrepreneurs have access to everything they need to run their startups smoothly. Government policies may also provide tax breaks, legal support, and other incentives that make starting a business more attractive in this region.

Vienna offers a robust ecosystem for startups, featuring extensive infrastructure and support systems. This includes numerous coworking spaces, accelerators like Impact Hub Vienna and INiTS, and incubators providing mentorship, training, and networking opportunities. The Vienna Business Agency is a key government initiative, offering grants, subsidized office space, and consulting services, particularly for innovative projects. Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS), the federal development bank, provides various funding instruments like seed financing and preseed funding. These resources, coupled with initiatives attracting international talent and improving funding access, help startups thrive in Vienna's dynamic environment.

But what looks good on paper often proves more complicated in practice. Bureaucracy can be time-consuming and opaque, especially for first-time founders unfamiliar with local laws. Incorporation takes longer than expected. Accessing public funding often means navigating slow processes, strict requirements, or hard-to-reach advisors. And operational costs – from accounting to regulatory compliance – can quickly eat into early budgets. 

A System That Moves With You

With access to expert guidance, practical legal resources, and a network of experienced entrepreneurs who’ve built across a range of regulatory systems, EWOR is well positioned to help founders navigate the bureaucratic and legal complexities that often come with building in Vienna. Instead of wasting time figuring things out alone, you’ll have the tools and support to stay focused on what matters most – growing your venture.

And while we’re remote-first, our support is anything but distant. Through in-person gatherings like the EWOR House, city-based meetups, and our twice-yearly Grand Pitch event, you’ll still build meaningful relationships with investors, peers, and mentors. It’s a system that helps you focus on building – not just dealing with paperwork.

Can Vienna Be Considered the Best Place to Launch a Startup?

There’s no doubt that Vienna provides a vibrant environment for startups, with access to funding, innovation, talent, and infrastructure that can help entrepreneurs build successful businesses. For many, it’s a strong contender for the best place to launch a startup, thanks to its growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and support systems.

Entrepreneurs launching startups in Vienna face several challenges. While Vienna is known for a high quality of life and a growing ecosystem, competition exists, particularly in popular sectors. Although Vienna is often cited for having lower living costs compared to some major European capitals, business costs like payroll-related expenses can be above average due to social security contributions. Regulatory issues and bureaucracy, especially concerning hiring non-EU talent and the administrative complexity of company registration, can also pose hurdles for new businesses.

However, it’s important to remember that the location of a startup is no longer the be-all and end-all. In today’s digital age, location-independent options like EWOR allow entrepreneurs to access world-class mentorship, funding, and resources from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re based in Vienna or elsewhere, EWOR’s remote programmes are designed to support founders no matter where they are located.

So, while Vienna offers significant advantages, it’s worth considering options like EWOR that enable you to launch and scale your startup with global support – whether you’re in the heart of a bustling startup hub or working from a quiet corner of the world.

Image credits: by Andreas Brücker on Unsplash