Startups & Founders
Grow, access experienced people, explore funding, enter new markets and build stronger connections.
GROWTH · CAPITAL · MARKET ACCESSAbout Us
ABOUT BEFOUNDER
Connecting innovation with opportunity.
BeFounder is a Vienna-based innovation platform connecting startups, companies, institutions and international ecosystems with the people, markets and opportunities that move innovation forward.
From founder growth and fundraising to innovation matchmaking, market access and international collaboration, BeFounder creates practical pathways between ambitious people and relevant opportunities.
VIENNA · AUSTRIA
GLOBAL NETWORK
STARTUPS
COMPANIES
INSTITUTIONS
ECOSYSTEMS
WHO WE CONNECT
Built for both sides of innovation.
BeFounder works across the innovation value chain — from ambitious founders to companies looking for solutions, and from public institutions to international ecosystem partners.
Companies
Discover relevant startups, technologies and innovation opportunities around real business needs.
INNOVATION · MATCHMAKING · TECHNOLOGYGovernments & Institutions
Develop international programs, founder initiatives, innovation bridges and market-access activities.
PROGRAMS · BRIDGES · INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIONEcosystem Organizations
Co-create initiatives, exchange opportunities and strengthen cross-border innovation collaboration.
PARTNERSHIPS · PROGRAMS · ECOSYSTEM ACCESS
ECOSYSTEM AT A GLANCE
Built through people, trust and access.
A growing network connecting founders with experienced people, capital, market opportunities and international innovation ecosystems.
COMMUNITY
500+
Founders & talents
Connected across the wider BeFounder ecosystem.
EXPERTISE
85+
Mentors & experts
Founders, operators, advisors and industry specialists.
CAPITAL
68+
Investor relationships
Connections across angel, VC and investment networks.
MARKETS
Global
Cross-border network
Programs, innovation bridges and market connections.
VIENNA BASE
Connected through founder programs, partnerships, innovation initiatives and international market relationships.
Austria → DACH → International
HOW WE CREATE VALUE
Different needs. One connected ecosystem.
BeFounder brings together knowledge, technology, markets and relationships around concrete opportunities.
Build & Grow
Founder development, sales, fundraising, mentors, market access and business connections.
FOR STARTUPS & FOUNDERSInnovate & Collaborate
Startup sourcing, technology discovery and challenge-based innovation matchmaking.
FOR COMPANIES & INSTITUTIONSConnect Markets
International initiatives, innovation bridges and structured cross-border ecosystem collaboration.
FOR GOVERNMENTS & ECOSYSTEM PARTNERS
ECOSYSTEM EXPERIENCE
Built through real ecosystem work.
BeFounder has worked across programs, collaborations and international innovation initiatives involving founders, companies and ecosystem organizations.
Selected organizations and initiatives connected to BeFounder through programs, ecosystem activities, collaborations or international innovation initiatives. Logos and names do not necessarily imply formal institutional endorsement.
GLOBAL FOOTPRINT
Built in Vienna. Connected across markets.
BeFounder connects innovation opportunities across Austria, the DACH region and international markets.
INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
From Vienna to emerging innovation hubs.
Our international initiatives connect founders, companies and ecosystem partners across Europe, Ukraine, India, the Gulf region and global markets.
🇦🇹 Austria · 🇩🇪 Germany · 🇨🇭 Switzerland
Core Hub · Austria
🇺🇦 Ukraine
Kyiv–Vienna Innovation Bridge
🇮🇳 India
Delhi–Vienna Innovation Bridge
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Riyadh–DACH Innovation Bridge
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Innovation Network
🇨🇳 China · 🇯🇵 Japan
Technology & Innovation Connections
🇺🇸 United States
Founder, Mentor & Innovation Network
BEFOUNDER ECOSYSTEM
One ecosystem. Connected opportunities.
BeFounder connects founder growth, corporate innovation, international market access and cross-border collaboration through one connected platform.
CENTRAL PLATFORM
BeFounder
Vienna · Austria
↗
INNOVATION
BeFounder X
Companies · Startups · Technology
🇩🇪 🇦🇹 🇨🇭
DACH Market
Market Access
🇺🇦
BeFounder Ukraine
Founder & Ecosystem Initiative
🇮🇳
BeFounder India
Founder & Market Initiative
🇺🇦 🇦🇹
KYIV–VIENNA
INNOVATION BRIDGE
🇮🇳 🇦🇹
DELHI–VIENNA
INNOVATION BRIDGE
🇸🇦 🇩🇪 🇦🇹 🇨🇭
RIYADH–DACH
INNOVATION BRIDGE
WORK WITH BEFOUNDER
One ecosystem. Multiple ways to work together.
Whether you are building a startup, looking for innovation, developing an international program or entering a new market, BeFounder can help create the right connections.
01
FOR FOUNDERS
Startups & Founders
Access programs, mentors, investors, market-entry opportunities and founder resources.
Explore Founder Opportunities ↗
02
FOR COMPANIES
Companies
Discover startups, technologies and relevant innovation opportunities around your business challenges.
Explore Innovation Partnerships ↗
03
FOR INSTITUTIONS
Governments & Institutions
Develop founder programs, innovation bridges, international initiatives and market-access projects.
Build an Initiative With Us ↗
04
FOR ECOSYSTEMS
Accelerators & Ecosystem Organizations
Co-create programs, exchange opportunities and build international innovation connections.
Partner With BeFounder ↗
PROOF IN PRACTICE
From connections to real initiatives.
BeFounder is designed to turn ecosystem relationships into practical opportunities, programs and collaborations.
Founder Programs
Supporting founders through practical knowledge, experienced mentors, capital access and market connections.
International Bridges
Creating structured connections between Austria and international innovation ecosystems.
Innovation Matchmaking
Connecting business and institutional challenges with relevant startups and technology providers.
Market Access
Helping founders and companies build relationships across Austria and the wider DACH region.
LEADERSHIP & ADVISORY NETWORK
Experience across innovation and markets.
BeFounder brings together perspectives from entrepreneurship, technology, investment, internationalisation and ecosystem development.
LEADERSHIP
Alireza Sohrabian
Co-Founder & Managing Director · BeFounderBuilding BeFounder as a platform connecting founders, companies and innovation ecosystems across Austria and international markets.
BOARD MEMBERS & ADVISORS
Experience from across Austria’s innovation and business ecosystem.
Board members and advisors contribute perspectives across entrepreneurship, technology, international markets, investment and ecosystem development.
Renate Schnutt
International Markets ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA
Dr. Peter Blahowsky
Technology & Innovation AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Dr. Peter Vandor
Entrepreneurship WU Vienna
Dr. Rudolf Dömötör
Entrepreneurship & Innovation WU Vienna
Verena Gruber
International Business Austrian Business Agency
Romina Golfam Batebi
International Business Austrian Business Agency
Tülay Tuncel
Startup & Ecosystem Development Vienna Business Agency
Kambis Kohansal
Entrepreneurship & Startup Ecosystem Austrian Federal Economic ChamberProfessional affiliations are provided for background and context. Participation in BeFounder activities does not necessarily imply institutional endorsement by the organizations listed.
MENTOR NETWORK
More than 85 mentors, advisors & experts.
Experience across entrepreneurship, investment, technology, fundraising, innovation and international growth.
Hugh Forrest
Co-President · SXSW
Kilian Kaminski
Co-Founder · refurbed
Gernot Singer
Angel Investor
Corinna Häsele
Founder · Betterlinked
85+
Wider Expert Network
Mentors · Advisors · Operators
FIND YOUR PLACE IN THE ECOSYSTEM
Opportunity starts with the right connection.
Whether you are building a startup, looking for innovation, developing an international program or exploring a new market, BeFounder can help create the right connections.
Government & Institutional Cooperation →