As an international startup hub, Vienna is very popular with foreign founders and offers a platform for innovative climate protection ideas from all over the world.
Hong Kong/Vienna (OTS) – As part of a delegation trip to several Chinese economic metropolises led by City Councilor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke, a panel of experts in Hong Kong awarded the startup “Breer” with an exclusive startup package from the Vienna Business Agency.
“Breer” prevailed in a pitch from a total of five local startups, each of which offers sustainable solutions for cities on the way to climate neutrality. They all competed for a month-long stay in Vienna in 2025 with the aim of getting to know the local startup ecosystem and exploring the European market.
“In Vienna we take our climate and smart city goals seriously. In order to become climate neutral by 2040, we are of course looking for scalable projects from all over the world in addition to local, environmentally friendly innovations
“says City Councilor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke, who also presented the award to “Breer” in Hong Kong. “Hong Kong, a vibrant city and global hub for trade and finance, is home to numerous promising startups and ideas. I am sure that exchange and networking between innovative entrepreneurs in the face of climate change are of great importance for both business locations, but also for the residents
“, so Hanke.
Gerhard Hirczi, Managing Director of the Vienna Business Agency, which has been bringing particularly promising international startups to Vienna with the Vienna Startup Package for ten years, adds: “The Startup Package offers a very special opportunity for foreign startups to take advantage of exclusive coaching and networking opportunities in one of the most dynamic business locations in Central and Eastern Europe. Vienna is the ideal starting point for foreign startups to open up European markets or test their products for the DACH region.
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The numbers show how interesting Vienna is as a startup location in the eyes of the world: Since 2014, around 2,250 startups from 113 countries have applied for the Vienna Startup Package; every year only around 15 companies are selected to stay in Vienna. One of them is the Hong Kong startup “Breer”. The food upcycling startup collects surplus and unsold leftover bread to brew locally produced, sustainable craft beer. The leftover bread saves up to 78% of the barley required in the brewing process, while at the same time creating a new, pleasant beer taste. Anushka Purohit, co-founder of the startup, says: “With the Vienna Startup Package we can take the first step into the Austrian or European market. We have a lot planned in Vienna and have already made contacts with a local micro-brewery and Ankerbrot.”
Vienna’s booming startup ecosystem is internationally valued and known for its welcoming environment, targeted funding and the annual international startup festival ViennaUP. This event attracts thousands of international entrepreneurs, investors and tech talents to Vienna every year. ViennaUP will take place this year from June 3rd to 9th, 2024 – to find out more about ViennaUP, visit: viennaup.com
Questions & Contact:
Mag. (FH) Alexander Klein
Media spokesperson City Councilor Peter Hanke
Phone: +43 1 4000 81203
alexander.klein@wien.gv.at
Uschi Kainz
Communications Vienna Business Agency
+43 699 1408 6583
kainz@wirtschaftsagentur.at