Reflecting on 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on an incredible year of growth, collaboration, and impact within the social entrepreneurship ecosystem. Together, we’ve cultivated a thriving environment for innovative, impactful ideas and businesses by fostering strong networks for impact-driven investment, empowering entrepreneurs with community, connections, and access to capital, and continuing to champion a more just and sustainable world. We're using this opportunity to celebrate the achievements, progress and acknowledge the collective effort it takes to move the ecosystem forward.

?Our year in review

Over 280 Entrepreneurs Supported: Our programs continue to empower entrepreneurs at every stage, turning ideas into businesses, refining business models, enhancing impact measurement, developing scaling strategies, and unlocking access to capital. Explore ventures from our programs here.

Over 1,000 impact-drivers at Impact Days 2024: This year was our largest gathering yet, bringing together over 1,000 impact-drivers from 50+ countries to Vienna’s Hofburg Palace. The event explored the transformative role of capital, policy, technology and leadership on social impact. The agenda was packed with thought-provoking panels, interactive workshops, and networking sessions. It facilitated more than 128 networking sessions, fostering partnerships and advancing meaningful change. Mark your calendars for Impact Days 2025, happening on May 12-13!

Our space had a makeover: Our event space has been transformed into a stage designed for impact! With adaptable setups, state-of-the-art LED lighting, and immersive screen options, it’s ready to host panel discussions, brainstorming sessions, and creative events. Scandinavian design furniture and sustainable curtains add elegance, while enhanced accessibility and a cozy terrace corner make it perfect for any gathering. We're ready to set the stage for your next impactful event.

The launch of Impact Capital Circle: With a focus on connecting entrepreneurs with the right kind of capital and enabling deal flow in the CEE region, we launched Impact Capital Circle in November. It is an exclusive community of investors committed to catalyzing impact investment in Central and Eastern Europe. Our first matchmaking session facilitated 40 one-on-one meetings between investment-ready entrepreneurs and investors.?

Together in Impact: We’re thrilled to share the achievements of the Climate Lab, Future Health Lab, and the newly signed-off Education Lab. Climate Lab brought 16 multi-partner projects to life, driving decarbonisation and innovation across high-emission industries such as mobility, housing, energy, and construction. Future Health Lab celebrated its first anniversary and launched its second health mission focused on prevention, continuing its impactful collaboration with public and private partners. Last but not least, Education Lab, developed in partnership with Stadt Wien and other collaborators, will open in Spring 2025 as a hub for learning, inspiration, exchange, and innovation.

Stories we love

This year has been filled with inspiring achievements from entrepreneurs and impact drivers within our community and the broader ecosystem. Here are a few we’ve loved hearing about:

• Omni Audio, on a mission to develop software for the blind and visually impaired, has secured crucial funding from Business Finland to advance inclusive technology. Omni Audio Ltd. Dmitry Muromtsev
• BirdShades, finalists in Innovate4Nature, are tackling urban biodiversity challenges with solutions that earned them the Austrian Living Standards Award. BirdShades - invisible bird protection window film Dominique Waddoup
• Greenstart alumni, Wohnwagon,?renowned for its off-grid housing, is scaling its sustainable living solutions with funding support from Epoona and Raffeisen Bank. WW Wohnwagon Theresa Mai
• SocialCard, which makes digital donations for people experiencing homelessness possible, recently won 2nd place at the Austrian Payments Innovation Award. SocialCard Arne Nostitz-Rieneck
• .lumen, a Romanian startup improving mobility for blind individuals, was added to the World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers List and raised $1 million in a single day. dotLumen Cornel Amariei
• Repath’s AI-driven platform helps organizations address climate risks, raised €3.6 million in seed funding to scale its adaptation solutions from Green Code Ventures repath Manuel Heckmann
• Aerodymax is revolutionising trailer transportation by reducing emissions with innovative technology, and secured investment from Ryan Grant Little ???? through The Green100. Aerodymax Almaz Ayupov
• The Nature Restoration Law was passed, emphasising the reversal of biodiversity loss and ecosystem restoration, aligning economic activity with ecological resilience.
• Nadina Ruedl, founder of Die Pflanzerei , was honored as “Gründerin des Jahres” at the Woman in Business Award 2024 for creating vegan versions of traditional Austrian delicacies.
• Independo earned the WSA Young Innovators Award in Graz for developing digital tools that empower individuals with learning difficulties. Independo GmbH
• The #MitSinn campaign presented a collective list of demands to the Austrian government, advocating for systemic change.
• MATR is revolutionising the mattress industry by integrating it into the circular economy, a feat recognized with the Sustainable Travel Award at WeFair. MATR? Verena Judmayer Michaela Stephen
• The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive was passed, requiring companies to manage social and environmental impacts across their supply chains.
• The Good Council for Redistribution allocated €25 million to grassroots initiatives, addressing inequality, poverty, and environmental challenges across Austria.
• The Impact Blueprint, a video series by Social Impact Award , uncovers how to build a purpose-driven career and help participants translate their aspirations into actionable steps.

These stories and so many more like them, from entrepreneurial ingenuity to systemic breakthroughs, are a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and innovation in creating a more just and sustainable world. They inspire us to continue building solutions for a brighter future.