The golden sounds of Mozart, the sight of grand architecture, the smell of coffee. Millions of people flock to visit Vienna each year to immerse themselves in its history and culture. But fewer people know Vienna has even more to offer. Since 2009, Vienna has been consistently voted as the “best place to live” and “most livable city in the world”, holding the top spot across several global rankings for over a decade. It is also a welcoming hub for technology, community, and big ideas, serving as a home for invention and being at the forefront of social progress for decades.
Vienna: a place called home
Vienna is a city that blends old-world charm with modern convenience, offering a quality of life that’s hard to beat. With its outstanding infrastructure, public transportation, and world-class healthcare and education systems, the city is as functional as it is beautiful - clean, safe, and brimming with life.
Culturally, Vienna is a treasure trove. Iconic venues like the Vienna State Opera and the MuseumsQuartier aren’t just landmarks; they’re the pulse of a city that lives and breathes art. The historic coffeehouses aren’t just places to sip coffee—they’re where ideas are born. Vienna’s lush parks, like the Schönbrunn Palace Gardens, the Prater Park, or the Danube Island, offer recreation and nature.
Strategically nestled in the heart of Europe, Vienna serves as a crossroads for international business and travel, making it a dynamic place to live and work. The city’s commitment to sustainability and robust public services only add to its appeal, ensuring that Vienna isn’t just livable, but exceptional. With its rich cultural heritage, cutting-edge amenities, and thoughtful urban planning, Vienna isn’t just a city—it’s a way of life.
women who shaped Vienna
For centuries, Vienna has been a hub for creators, artists, and inventors. As we all know, the historical spotlight has long focused on prominent men, and in Vienna, these include Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven in music, Sigmund Freud in psychology, and Gustav Klimt in art. But Vienna has also been home to numerous remarkable women.
Empress Maria Theresa of the 18th Century was the only female ruler of the Habsburg domain, who implemented sweeping reforms in education, finance, and military that strengthened the empire's stability and power. Her legacy is often overshadowed by that of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, popularly known as Sisi, who broke the mold of traditional royal life. While Sisi continues to be admired for her beauty and free spirit, Maria Theresa’s strategic leadership and political acumen also deserve recognition for their lasting legacy that reshaped the course of European history.
Viennese fashion designer Emilie Flöge, known as Klimt’s muse, was also a groundbreaker in her own right. As a successful entrepreneur, her designs took women out of corsets in the late 19th Century, with a style of “reform dress” touted by feminists that would lead to later, “flapper” styles.
Hedy Lamarr, born in Vienna in 1914, is remembered as a glamorous Hollywood actress But her most lasting impact was as an inventor. During World War II, she co-invented the frequency-hopping technology on which modern wireless communication techs like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are based.
Marietta Blau revolutionised nuclear physics with her use of photographic emulsions to track cosmic rays, enhancing our grasp of high-energy particles. Lise Meitner played a crucial role in discovering nuclear fission, sparking advances in nuclear energy and weaponry. Both women broke barriers in a male-dominated field, making groundbreaking contributions that reshaped modern physics.
Vienna's commitment to inclusivity
Vienna has long been a hub for women's contributions, a tradition that thrives today through its commitment to inclusivity. The city's progressive approach to urban planning and gender equality sets a global standard, incorporating a gender lens into more than 60 projects since the early 1990s to enhance safety and convenience for women. These efforts include improved street lighting, wider pavements, better accessibility in parks and public spaces, and the implementation of women-friendly design principles in public transport systems.
Vienna has also pioneered the naming of streets and public areas after influential women, such as Simone-de-Beauvoir-Platz and Janis-Joplin-Promenade, addressing the historically male-centric practice of naming public spaces.
The Frauen-Werk-Stadt development projects, designed by female architects, address women’s everyday needs with features like kindergartens, pharmacies, and well-connected public transport networks, directly supporting the care work that women often undertake. By embedding a gender perspective into its urban design, Vienna not only honours women’s achievements but also cultivates a more inclusive and supportive environment for all its residents.
a supportive environment - especially for women
Vienna actively promotes female entrepreneurship through various support programs and initiatives designed to foster business growth among women. The city offers specialised funding opportunities, mentoring programs, and networking events tailored specifically for female entrepreneurs, aiming to address the unique challenges they face. Additionally, Vienna provides dedicated coworking spaces and incubators that facilitate collaboration and resource-sharing among women-led startups.
The Vienna Business Agency, for instance, offers tailored consultancy services, grants, and workshops focused on empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting their ventures from inception to growth. By creating a supportive infrastructure and offering targeted resources, Vienna ensures that women entrepreneurs have access to the tools and networks necessary for success. The city's commitment to gender equality extends to promoting diversity in business leadership, striving to create a balanced and inclusive economic landscape. Vienna especially stands out as a hub for female entrepreneurship in Europe. In fact, 35% of Viennese startups were founded by women (that’s 25 % higher than the rest of Europe), and 40% of Austrian businesses are led by women. This commitment to fostering female entrepreneurship has not gone unnoticed. Vienna was ranked the #1 best place to be for female founders according to the Startup Heatmap.
collaboration as the secret ingredient for success
Vienna thrives on a spirit of collaboration, making it a unique environment where everyone is supportive and interconnected. Despite being a relatively small country, Austria's capital fosters a close-knit community where corporations, NGOs, policymakers, and entrepreneurs seamlessly work together. This collaborative atmosphere is a cornerstone of Vienna's success, enabling synergies and co-creating meaningful change.
Organizations and events in Vienna foster these connections, providing essential resources such as funding, networking opportunities, and advisory services, helping both startups and established companies thrive. This strong culture of collaboration and support—often enabled by public organizations such as the Vienna Business Agency—makes Vienna an ideal place for innovation and business growth.
a legacy of innovation and inclusivity
Building on its strong foundation of collaboration and inclusivity, Vienna's support for female innovators continues today, acting as a hub of opportunity and progress for future generations. By embracing diversity and empowering women, Vienna sets a powerful example for the world, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future. This environment not only nurtures creativity and innovation but also fosters a sense of community, making Vienna an ideal place for the advancements and leaders of tomorrow to emerge.
the five key ingredients that make Vienna the place to be for a new era of leaders:
1. the quality of life
Vienna consistently ranks as the world’s most livable city. But this isn't just about numbers—it's about the everyday experience the city offers: the excellent infrastructure (you can cross Vienna with public transportation in less than 30 minutes!), top-tier healthcare, quality education, and outstanding public services. It's a clean, safe environment that makes life here easy and enjoyable.
2. cultural diversity
Vienna is a melting pot of cultures, with a significant expat community that brings together people from all over the world. Walking through Vienna, you’ll hear a mix of languages and experience a variety of cultural festivals and international cuisine.
3. strong support systems
Vienna government and civil society offer extensive support systems for entrepreneurs and professionals, with both public and private initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and business growth. These provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding.
4. innovative energy all around
Vienna’s innovation scene is buzzing with a variety of hubs where innovation thrives. Popular coworking spaces provide a place to share ideas. Higher learning institutions, including the Vienna University of Technology and the Vienna University of Economics, nurture and accelerate new ideas. Big companies like Erste Group and Telekom Austria run innovation programs, offering mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities. Vienna is home to over 1,000 startups from sectors including fintech, health tech, and AI.
5. a scene that makes you feel you belong
Vienna is a city where connection and mutual support thrive. With international communities and regular events, the city offers countless opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and personal growth, especially for female entrepreneurs and leaders. Some of the key happenings include:
It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a whole city coming together to empower and uplift its leaders. Vienna’s community of organizations and events provides the support, connection, and collaboration needed for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders to flourish. This collective spirit of encouragement and mutual support is what makes Vienna not just a place to live, but a place to truly thrive.
coworking hubs worth checking:
Startup House: The home of the startup scene, bringing together community stakeholders and startups, and hosting a variety of essential events that foster growth and collaboration.
Impact Hub: Home to the global impact entrepreneurship community offering resources and connections.
Spaces: A flexible workspace with modern amenities and global locations, designed to foster creativity and collaboration.
TSH - The Social Hub: Combining coworking spaces with a lively social scene, ideal for networking and productivity.
Zoku: A unique coworking and living hybrid that provides a comfortable and creative space for both work and relaxation.
weXelerate: An extensive innovation hub that supports startups and scale-ups with mentorship, funding, and networking opportunities.
organizations and events:
ViennaUP: An annual innovation festival organised by the Vienna Business Agency in cooperation with the most important startup organisations from across the city, featuring a series of events that bring together startups, investors, corporates, and creative minds from around the world.
AustrianStartups Stammtisch: A monthly meetup where the startup community discusses trends, and shares experiences, and networks.
Startup Live: An event series that helps startups validate their ideas, develop business models, and pitch to investors.
the female factor: A global community headquartered in Vienna, Austria focused on empowering female leaders with mentoring, networking opportunities, and skill development workshops.
IT-Girls: A community dedicated to inspiring and supporting women in IT, offering workshops, networking events, and mentorship opportunities to encourage more women to pursue careers in technology.
Womentor: A mentoring program that pairs experienced female professionals with aspiring women leaders to provide guidance, support, and career advice.
Business and Professional Women (BPW) Austria: Part of an international network, BPW Austria offers networking events, training, and advocacy for women in business.
Female Founders: An accelerator program dedicated to empowering women in entrepreneurship.
celebrating the Viennese leaders, redefining leadership
#voices of a new era of Leaders
We proudly present ten outstanding Viennese leaders who show what it means to thrive in this city. These leaders, from various fields, demonstrate the diversity and talent that Vienna nurtures. Their journeys of perseverance, innovation, and success reflect the city's commitment to empowering its leaders.
Meet these inspiring individuals who are shaping the future and making a significant impact in their respective areas.
1. Stefanie Ahammer - Visa, Country Manager Austria
“In a city like Vienna, where culture and history meet modern innovation, I want to inspire other women and younger generations to carve their own paths. Seek an environment where you can flourish, and you certainly will!”
2. Marie Ringler, member of Ashoka’s Global Leadership Group, and Vice President of the European Forum Alpbach and Specialisterne Foundation.
Vienna, with its rich culture and history, can be a leader in redefining success: Let’s shift from profit, position and power to a notion of success where everyone contributes to the good of all.
3. Luciana D’Ambramo, Chief Development Officer & Board Member at FOUR PAWS
“In Vienna, a city that values both heritage and forward-thinking, I believe that every person has the power to make a positive difference. Every small act contributes to a better future.”
4. Erika Diskancova, Canva EMEA Sales Lead (Mid-Market & Enterprise)
„What drives me daily is my commitment to personal growth and the inspiration I find in the people I meet and interact with each day here in Vienna, constantly evolving and striving to achieve more.”
5. Panagiota Polykarpou, Co-founder, Girls in STEAM Academy
“Success emerges from a journey of collaborative effort, a journey I see reflected in the city of Vienna where innovation and culture have come together over centuries to create something truly magical."
6. Nadine Richani, Regional Director for Middle East and North Africa, Porticus
“Vienna's supportive community shows that you can't go through life alone. There is so much help out there and so many potential allies; you just need the courage to ask and speak up.”
7. Lisa-Marie Idowu, Content Creator, Host, Founder of Notoko
“Success in Vienna means impacting people's lives—whether by helping them become more educated, empowered, or proud of their achievements.”
8. Monika Froehler, CEO Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens
“Ultimately, success in a city like Vienna is about work that is leaving the world a bit better for others. I dedicate my time to sustainability tasks, from climate justice to gender equality to disarmament, empowered by Vienna's spirit of supporting service and innovation.”
9. Gabriella Chihan Stanley, Co-founder & CCO of vrisch, Founder of XRVienna, Award-winning VR Director, SXSW Advisory Board Member
Innovation is seeing a path where others see nothing but barriers. Vienna has helped me build that path and empowered me to do it my way —as a woman, a mother, and a multicultural entrepreneur, without having to choose between these roles to succeed.”
10. Bistra Kumbaroska , TITLEv
“What makes Vienna a great place for female leaders is the openness to question and unlearn some deeply rooted patterns of patriarchy and imperialism. Vienna offers and consciously hosts spaces for "the new" to emerge - and that is thanks to diverse communities that call this city home”
Are you ready to write your own success story in Vienna? With its strong support systems, vibrant community, and rich cultural backdrop, Vienna is the ideal place to begin your journey. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, an established leader, or someone with a vision for the future, this city offers the resources and connections you need to thrive. Your success story begins here.
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