The U.S. Embassy Vienna's Austria to Austin Exchange

Where Austrian Ingenuity Meets American Entrepreneurial Culture

By Julia Pataky

The 2021 Austria to Austin Group in Texas
PHOTO: U.S. EMBASSY VIENNA

International exchanges are a vehicle for promoting long-term mutual understanding between nations and strengthening people-to-people connections. With its focus on introducing young Austrian founders to the American entrepreneurial ecosystem, the U.S. Embassy Vienna’s student startup exchange program Austria to Austin (A2A) is a flagship example of an exchange program that creates value on both sides of the Atlantic. Through hands-on entrepreneurship workshops, curated site visits, and more, A2A facilitates the exchange of ideas and fosters cross-cultural dialogue between Austrian emerging voices and American leaders in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Celebrating five years of A2A

Since its inception in 2016, A2A has sent more than 100 Austrian students between the ages of 18-28 to the Texan capital for an immersive experience in the local startup and entrepreneurship scene. The program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, first began during the tenure of U.S. Ambassador to Austria Alexa L. Wesner, a Texan entrepreneur, and it continued with her successor, U.S. Ambassador Trevor D. Traina, a multipreneur from Silicon Valley. Both Ambassadors saw the benefits of the program not only in strengthening cultural ties between Austria and the United States, but also in accelerating entrepreneurial development among Austrian youth. Over the past five years, Austria to Austin has significantly added momentum to the Austrian startup scene. 2021 was a record year for startup investments in Austria, as more than €1 billion of private venture capital flowed into Austrian startups. Ninety percent of these funds came through foreign venture capital, with U.S. investors playing a key role.

As a hub for culture, creativity, and technology, Austin, Texas is home to a thriving entrepreneurial scene and host of the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) conference featuring established and emerging artists and innovators from a variety of creative sectors. The city offers exchange participants a myriad of opportunities to experience the American entrepreneurial scene. Over the last decade, Austin has attracted a steadily growing number of major tech companies and is often referred to as “Silicon Hills.”

Learning by doing

During a two-week intensive program in Austin, participants gain an in-depth understanding of U.S. methods for design, innovation, and entrepreneurship by meeting and collaborating with executives, industry experts, and investors. The experiential nature of the program allows students to hone their skills in ideation, prototyping, and pitching by going through the process of starting their own venture. Throughout their time in Austin, participants not only act as cultural ambassadors of Austria, but also get a taste of the local culture— quite literally so, as they experience typical Texan cuisine such as barbecue, Tex-Mex, and tacos.

To Austin and back

A2A’s uniqueness is also reflected in the diversity of its participants: students from all over Austria and from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds make up the A2A cohorts. It is this diversity that makes for the unparalleled A2A atmosphere where participants can grow personally and professionally. Upon their return to Austria, A2A alumni become part of the U.S. Embassy Vienna’s multiprogram alumni network and proceed to launch successful careers in the public and private sectors, applying the knowledge and insights gained during the program. One A2A 5.0 alumnus recently summed up the lasting impact of Austria to Austin: “Taking risks and celebrating both positive outcomes and failures is a high-value skill when starting a new venture.”

Looking ahead: A2A 6.0

In summer 2022, under the aegis of current U.S. Ambassador to Austria Victoria R. Kennedy, A2A will see its sixth iteration. From July 5-20, exchange participants will be part of a program that places additional emphasis on social entrepreneurship and circular economy. Through site visits and a tour of Austin’s technology and innovation ecosystem, A2Aers will engage with U.S.- based founders and thought leaders in climate change, social entrepreneurship, and public innovation. In a series of interactive workshops students will explore how entrepreneurship can help meet UN Sustainable Development Goals on both sides of the Atlantic. “In the exchange with different cultures you get to know approaches that you would never have thought of yourself,” said an A2A 5.0 alumna reflecting on her experience. The next cohort of A2Aers can look forward to this and more insights as they embark on their journey to Austin.

Julia Pataky is the Education Outreach Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy Vienna