ViennaUP 2025 brought together over 15,000 attendees from 95 countries across 69 citywide events. Representing the spirit of Northeast India, the Meghalaya Delegation actively engaged across sectors including AI, sustainability, creative industries, and ecosystem building. Through this visit, the delegation contributed to meaningful conversations, networking, and ecosystem engagement.
Highlights by Day:
Day 1: Youth Entrepreneurship Week & House of Innovation The delegation participated in the Youth Entrepreneurship Week, engaging with student entrepreneurs and mentors. A notable exchange involved Meghalaya startup founder Smti Iaishah Rymbai discussing textile innovations with Austrian peers. Later, sessions at the House of Innovation explored AI, IT, and blockchain, with active participation in startup pitching and networking.
Day 2: Europe Tech Hackathon 2025 – AI Agents for a Sustainable Future The delegation gained insights into emerging technologies such as AI, IT, and IoT. The event underscored the value of tech integration for traditional businesses. Conversations with entrepreneurs from Nagaland and others highlighted shared challenges and sparked interest in digitization among Meghalaya founders.
Day 3: Sectoral Events & Ecosystem Dialogue Delegation members attended targeted events like Impact Days 2025, Startup World Cup Austria, and Salon Future. Insights gained included strategies for ecosystem building, investor engagement, and regional collaboration. Salon Future reinforced the relevance of cross-sector partnerships and strategic planning for Meghalaya’s growing ecosystem.
Day 4: Connect Day 25 & Exclusive Meeting with Embassy of India Startups engaged in 1:1 matchmaking with investors and corporates at Connect Day 25. Impact Days sessions focused on sustainable and inclusive innovation. The delegation met with Ms. Devi Gopinath, Deputy Chief of Mission, fostering Indo-Austrian collaboration. Startups had the opportunity to pitch directly to embassy officials.
Day 5: The Green 100 & Creative Days Vienna 2025 Two groups attended key events:
- The Green 100 showcased Austria’s leadership in renewable energy and sustainable innovation. Meghalaya startups engaged in matchmaking with 24 green innovators.
- Creative Days Vienna offered insights into AI in creative industries, AR in art, and digital storytelling, benefiting startups in handloom and digital design.
Day 6: Tech & AI Jobs Fair – Vienna 2025 Meghalaya startups showcased products at two stalls. Interest from international visitors sparked conversations around tech transfer and market access. Ms. Saloni Verma, Executive Director, PRIME Meghalaya, addressed the audience during a panel on Austria–India Tech Innovation, sharing the state’s vision and openness to global partnerships under MIIPP 2024.Conclusion: The Meghalaya Delegation’s participation in ViennaUP 2025 highlighted the state’s readiness for global engagement. The exposure fostered fresh insights, forged new partnerships, and strengthened the narrative of Meghalaya as a rising hub of innovation. Through cross-cultural dialogue, pitching, and sectoral learning, the delegation returns with renewed purpose and actionable ideas to further build and globalize Meghalaya’s startup ecosystem.
